Picture of side panel one of a 5-pouch box of Tide Clothes Washer Cleaner.

Tide Washing Machine Cleaner Instructions

We post these Tide washing machine cleaner instructions here, based on the directions on the box.  Then, we go further. We write in the little tricks and tips we found while cleaning our high efficiency (HE) machine. These tips augment how well this Tide cleaner product works.

Tide Washing Machine Cleaner Instructions: Cautions and Warnings

Only Deodorizes the Water Handling Parts

Tide washing machine cleaner works well on unit components that come into contact with the water circulating system inside.  These include the tub, water jets, pump interiors, the drain, and door seals.

But if foul odors stick around after regular cleaning, then your machine may be on the fritz.  Indeed, there may be leaks in the piping system, causing water to collect beneath but never drying; a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria.  So a persistently smelly washing machine may require repairs.  These odors due to mechanical failure are beyond the scope of this product to eliminate.





Not for Washing Machine’s CLEANING Cycle

Many of today’s HE laundry machines have a special CLEAN cycle.  But the box says that it works best in the REGULAR WASH cycle.  So use normal wash cycle and set water temperature to HOT.  We further raise the effectiveness of this Tide cleaner, with the HEAVY DUTY button.  This gives a longer wash time, and presumably, a better cleaning to boot.

Not a Laundry Soap

Do not put any clothes in the washing machine while cleaning it with this product. The Tide perfume scent could deposit on the clothes and might get too strong.

Picture of the top of a box of Tide washing machine cleaner, 5 pouch box.
5 pouch Tide washing machine cleaner package, top view.

Tide Washing Machine Cleaner Instructions, Step by Step

Apply once per month. Then, leave the hatch door ajar when the machine is not in use.

For stubborn odors or visible dirt and growths, use Tide Washing Machine Cleaner weekly for three weeks in a row.  Then use once per month (maintenance mode).

To clean, pour ONE pouch directly into the machine’s tub.  Do not put in the soap dispenser.

Close and latch the door and run on REGULAR wash cycle, using HOT water.

To avoid frequent odor return, leave door stand open between machine uses. This allows complete, quick drying of the tub, seals hoses, pumps, and other parts.

If you wash bleach loads, make them last in a washing session.  Why?  Because the little bit of bleach left in the washing machine after the last load remains for a time.  Then, as long as you do not wash a load of clothes right away, it stays longer.  That remainder kills many odor-producing bacteria and germs.  Plus, the bleach prolongs the machine’s odor-free status from the last cleaning.

Related Posts

    1. Tide Washing Machine Cleaner Review for HE
    2. Affresh Washer Cleaner Directions, How to Use Instructions
    3. Tide Washing Machine Cleaner Review
    4. Affresh Laundry Machine Cleaner Review
    5. How to Clean Front Loading Washing Machine with Bleach

References for Tide Washing Machine Cleaner Instructions

  1. Tide Washing Machine Cleaner at Amazon.com
  2. Where to Buy Tide Washing Machine Cleaner

Revision History

  • 2019-04-26: Added tags. Deleted ad scripts.
  • 2018-04-11: Originally published.