Affresh vs. Tide washing machine cleaner – Which one to choose?

Every washing machine needs a periodical clean-up. No matter how meticulous you are with your machine, it just simply gets dirty. The best option for cleaning your washing machine is with some popular cleaning agents, such as the Affresh or Tide washing machine cleaner.

Unless you want to ruin some of your precious clothes, I recommend you to perform regular machine cleaning. When you decide to clean your washing machine, I recommend to you my two favorite brands: Affresh and Tide. If you have a dilemma: Affresh vs. Tide washing machine cleaner, I’ll present to you both and help you to make the best option for your machine.  

This article will give you a comparison of Affresh vs. Tide washing machine cleaner and take you deeper into the world of cleaning. My advice to you is to take care of your machine. You’ll extend its lifespan and it will return the favor with clean and refreshing clothes.

Affresh vs. Tide Washing Machine Cleaner comparison 

Whether you decide to choose Affresh or Tide cleaner, you’ll make no mistake. Despite some differences, both agents are effective against dirt.

Yet, to give you an overview of the main differences between these two brands, I’m presenting you with a table with the Affresh vs. Tide Washing machine cleaner comparison.

Product	Affresh	Tide
Uses per pack	6	5
Shelf life	24 months	18 months
Compatible with	Front Loaders, Top Loaders, HE	Front Loaders, Top Loaders
Easiness of use	Easy for use	Easy for use
Health risks	Some risk, toxic if swallowed	Some risk, toxic if swallowed
Developed by	Whirlpool	Procter & Gamble

Affresh cleaner is developed by Whirlpool engineers who are proud of their heritage of 100 plus years of experience in manufacturing home cleaning and wellbeing products.

It’s designed to be effective against all kinds of dirt in your machine. Easy to use, it will help you to overcome any challenge.

Tide cleaner is a member of the Procter & Gamble family, the largest hygiene and cleaning corporation in the world. It’s designed to remove all forms of dirt, like limestone, minerals, and detergent residue.

Besides that, it kills all bacteria and solves washing machine smelling problems.

What is Affresh for washing machines?

If you’re wondering what is Affresh for a washing machine, the answer is simple: it’s a washing machine cleaner formed in a dissolving foam tablet.

Powerful formula removes all sorts of dirt and it’s equally effective against bacteria and bad odor.

Can Affresh be used in any washing machine?

Yes, Affresh cleaner is designed for all commercial types of washing machines. It’s equally effective in top-load machines as well as in front-load or High-Efficiency machines. You can use it with any brand of the washing machine.

How does Affresh work?

Many people aren’t sure how does Affresh works, but it’s quite simple. The Affresh table is designed to dissolve slowly during the machine cycle.

A time-released tablet uses powerful cleansers to clean up all sorts of dirt. After the cycle, just open the machine and check if there is any tablet remains, and wipe them up. 

How to use Affresh washer cleaner?

If you’re not sure how to use Affresh washer cleaner, here’s a simple manual for you:

1. Remove clothes and all other items from your washing machine,
2. Place the tablet into a washer tub (if you’re using the top-loading machine, put the tablet into a detergent drawer),
3. Select and run the cycle,
4. Remove any potential residuals after the cycle.

For more detailed instructions on how to use Affresh, check our full instructions.

How often should you clean your washing machine with Affresh?

If you’re wondering how often should you clean your washing machine with Affresh, the answer depends on how often you use your washing machine.

If you’re using it every day, you should use Affresh cleaner once a month, but if you use the machine less frequently, then it’s just fine to use Affresh cleaner on every 30 wash cycles.

What is Affresh made of?

Affresh is made from sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate. It’s a powerful combination of dirt and smelly remains in your washing machine.

Affresh also contains glucono-delta-lactone, an additive common in the food industry. It keeps the tablet from breaking down before it gets in touch with water.

Another ingredient of the Affresh tablet is polyethylene glycol, which helps the tablet to dissolve slowly once the machine cycle starts.

Is Affresh toxic?

Before you use Affresh, it’s a good idea to inform yourself how to use it and is Affresh toxic. Well, just like any other chemical, it’s harmful if it’s swallowed, so keep it out of reach of children and pets. Also, it may intensify the fire, so keep it away from heat.

Thus, don’t forget to read the declaration before you use it. You want to get your machine clean, but you don’t want to harm the health of anyone in your enclosure or yourself. 

Is Affresh washing machine cleaner safe for septic systems?

Many people are afraid that chemicals like this one may damage septic systems, so they’re asking around Is Affresh washing machine cleaner safe for septic systems.

There’s no need to worry about it, Affresh is completely safe for all washing machine components and septic systems.

What is Tide Washing Machine Cleaner?

Tide washing machine cleaner is a magnificent solution that will make your washer clean and fresh. This product is designed to remove dirt from your washer drum.

All clothes remain, dirt, detergent residues, soils, and minerals that accumulate will decompose during frequent use of Tide cleaning solution. 

These days laundry machines use less water and that causes a bigger amount of residue in the drum. That includes areas we cannot see like hoses, drain, and back of the tub.

All those residues in the system can easily be transferred to your clothes. Exactly that’s why it is important to use Tide Washing Machine cleaner regularly. 

Can Tide Machine Cleaner be used in any washing machine? 

In case you’re not sure can Tide machine cleaner be used in any washing machine you should know that this type of cleaner is not recommended for high-efficiency (HE) washers.

They are predicted and they give the best results when used in front-loaded and top-loaded washing machines. 

How does Tide Washing Machine Cleaner work?

If you’re planning to start using it you may wonder how does Tide washing machine cleaner works, it’s actually quite simple.

Tide washing machine cleaner with its active ingredients is designed to penetrate the dirt on surfaces in the washer. It cleans away clothes residues and deposits and leaves a fresh and clean scent.

It also removes soil, mineral, and detergent residue that may accumulate in the washer.

How to use Tide Washer Cleaner?

To know how to use Tide washer cleaner properly you should first determine which type of washing machine you need to clean. In both cases, the washer drum should be empty.

1. How to Clean a Top-Loading Washing Machine with Tide

For a top-loading washer, you should pour 1 pouch of Tide Washing Machine Cleaner directly into your washer tub, set it to a normal cycle and the highest water temperature and let the cycle run its course.

2. How to Clean a Front-Loading Washer with Tide

For a front-loading washer, you can pour the cleaner into the detergent dispenser drawer, afterward run the washer on a normal cycle with the hot water setting.

How often should you use Tide Washing Machine Cleaner?

In order to avoid accumulating dirt and clothes and detergent residues, it’s important to clean your washing machine regularly. Only clean appliances will be able to wash clothes thoroughly and remove odor. So when people ask me:” How often should you use Tide Washing Machine Cleaner”, my answer is that once a month it’ll do the trick.

What is Tide Washing Machine Cleaner made of?

Active Ingredients of Tide washer cleaner are: Oxygen Bleach (Percarbonate), Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Sulfate, Cleaning Agents (Biodegradable Surfactants), and Perfume. 

It should also be mention Sodium Alkyl Sulfate, Silicone, Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, and Sodium Aluminosilicate. Those are also ingredients that make Tide washer cleaner so successful. 

Is Tide Washing Machine Cleaner safe?

If you’re sensitive to chemicals and afraid is Tide washing machine cleaner safe, my recommendation is to wear a chemical-resistant face mask. Even though Tide washing machine cleaner is safe, fast, and simple to use, some people noticed a headache from the stench of it, so better safe than sorry.

Is Tide Washing Machine Cleaner safe for septic systems?

If you follow the recommended amounts, all Tide products are safe for septic systems. That conclusion was reached after thorough testing and evaluation. So, the answer to the common question: “Is Tide washing machine cleaner safe for septic systems”, is that you’re free to use it without fear of damaging the septic system.

Can I use Tide Washing Machine Cleaner instead of Affresh?

Often people are not sure which of those two products is right for them and they ask:” Can I use Tide washing machine cleaner instead of Affresh?” The answer depends on the type of washing machine you want to clean.

With Affresh cleaner tablets you can clean washers with top-loading, front-loading, high efficiency, and conventional washing machines. On the other hand, Tide washing machine cleaner tablets you can only use on front-loading and top-loading washers.

Final thoughts

I hope now you have all the needed information regarding the Affresh vs. Tide washing machine cleaner battle.

Comparison of those two products is based on our personal experience with those two cleaning solutions. Based on our research you can determine which product better suits your needs.

In case you have an extra question, write to us, our team will gladly help you. Happy cleaning!