Best Dishwasher Cleaners (2026)
The best monthly tablets for grease, limescale and dishwasher odour — glisten vs affresh vs finish, compared honestly.
A dishwasher that smells musty or leaves film behind isn't broken — it's accumulated. Monthly cleaner tablets address the grease film, limescale and damp odour that build up in sump, filters and seals. The picks below are the leading tablet options, compared on chemistry, scent and the maintenance habit they support.
No product here was lab-tested; recommendations synthesise manufacturer documentation, official specs and owner feedback.
The 3 picks
- 1
Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner
Best overallThe tablet that just works: it strips grease, limescale and odour film in a hands-off monthly cycle and reaches the sump and spray arms a wipe can't. Our default recommendation for the monthly dishwasher reset.
Pros
- Removes grease, limescale and odour
- Hands-off monthly tablet
- Low per-dose cost
Cons
- Still needs manual filter care
- Runs on an empty machine
- 2
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner
Best fragrance-freeThe low-scent option that strips hard-water film and odour without leaving a linger on dishes — a natural kitchen companion to the brand's famous washer tablets, and our pick for fragrance-sensitive homes.
Pros
- Fragrance-free for dishes
- Targets hard-water film
- Trusted machine-cleaner brand
Cons
- Extreme build-up may need a repeat dose
- Manual filter care still required
- 3
Finish Dishwasher Cleaner
Best familiar-brand valueThe machine-cleaner from the dish-care brand most kitchens already trust — same monthly tablet logic, similar efficacy, and it sits on the same shelf as your Finish detergent for one easy routine.
Pros
- Trusted Finish family
- Strips limescale, grease and film
- Works in any dishwasher brand
Cons
- Neglected machines may need two doses
- Label must be followed exactly
Buying guide
A one-tablet-a-month habit (empty machine, hot cycle) is the core of dishwasher maintenance, but a tablet can't physically clear filter debris — rinse the filter when you see food build-up and it all compounds.
In hard-water areas, expect the machine to need cleaning slightly more often; the white film inside the tub is your signal to run the tablet sooner.
Scent is a legitimate tiebreaker for a machine that holds dishes — fragrance-free formulas cover the same cleaning ground without a linger on plates and silverware.
How we picked
We compared dishwasher cleaners on build-up removal, hard-water performance, scent and ease of the monthly routine, drawing from manufacturer documentation and owner feedback. No tablet was lab-tested by our team — ratings synthesise research.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my dishwasher smell even after cleaning?
A tablet strips chemical film, but physical debris in the filter needs rinsing too. Do both, and wipe the gasket, and the odour cycle usually stops.
How often should I use a dishwasher cleaner?
Once a month on an empty machine is standard; more often in hard-water areas or if you notice odours.
Is it safe for any dishwasher?
These tablets run with the machine's own cycle and are designed to be brand-agnostic — follow the placement and empty-machine instructions on the label.
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