Comparison: Best Drain Cleaner For Dishwasher (Updated | Oct 22nd)
When dealing with a clogged dishwasher drain, choosing the right cleaner is key to maintaining efficiency and avoiding damage. This comparison explores top options designed to tackle buildup, grease, and debris without harming pipes or seals. From enzymatic formulas to caustic-free solutions, we highlight pros, cons, and ideal use cases to help you make an informed decision. Whether you prioritize eco-friendliness, power, or convenience, this guide provides a balanced overview to suit your needs and plumbing setup. Always follow safety instructions and manufacturer guidelines for best results.
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
-
Best for best overall:
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner -
Best for best value:
Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid -
Best for best mechanical:
48" Air-Gap Drain Pipe Cleaning Brush -
Best for brand trusted:
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner -
Best for budget pick:
Dishwasher Cleaner And Deodorizer Tablets – 24 Pack Deep Cleaning Descaler Pods for Dish Washer Machine -
Best for eco-friendly option:
Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner -
Best for enzyme formula:
Green Gobbler Enzyme Drain Cleaner | Controls Foul Odors & Breaks Down Grease -
Best for odor control:
Rejuvenate Garbage Disposal and Drain Pipe Cleaner Powerful Foaming Action and Removes Garbage Disposal Smells 6 Unit Pack Lavender Scent -
Best for heavy-duty tablets:
Heavy Duty Dishwasher Cleaner and Deodorizer Tablets -
Best for best tools:
XANGNIER Dishwasher Cleaner Brush Kits
Product Comparison: Best Drain Cleaner For Dishwasher
Best overall
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner, Helps Remove Limescale and Odor-Causing Residue, 6 Tablets
Affresh
- Powers away limescale and mineral buildup
- No.1 Recommended by Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag and Amana brands (affresh brand products and the recommending brands' products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation)
- Cleans what you can't see: your machine's tub, racks, pump and valve, drain and recirculation hoses
- Cleans inside all dishwasher machine makes and models, Designed to clean inside your machine while your detergent cleans your dishes
- Use monthly or as needed to maximize machine performance (heavily soiled machines may require extra cleaning cycles)
Best value
Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid, Deep Cleans Hidden Grease & Limescale, Fights Odors & Maintains Performance, 3 Month Supply, 8.45oz, 1 Bottle
Finish
- DEEP CLEANS INNER PARTS: Finish Liquid Dishwasher Cleaner targets hidden grease, hardwater buildups, and limescale in spray arms, filter, and pipes for a hygienic clean.
- IMPROVES DISHWASHER PERFORMANCE: Your dishwasher cleans dishware better with Finish dish washer machine cleaner.
- FIGHTS ODORS AT THE SOURCE: Neutralizes lingering smells and keeps your dishwasher fresh after each use.
- HELPS MAINTAIN DISHWASHER HEALTH: Use every 3 months to help keep your dishwasher clean and performing at its best.
- 5X MORE CLEANING PERFORMANCE: Finish dishwasher cleaners have 5X more cleaning performance than dishwasher cleaner tablets.
- COMPATIBLE WITH MOST DISHWASHERS: Works with standard, older, and small dishwashers for flexible, reliable use.
- EASY TO USE: Empty your dishwasher, remove sticker on the top, place the bottle upside down in the bottom rack and run a hot cycle. Let Finish does what its best at
- FINISH YOUR CLEAN: Use Finish Machine Cleaner Liquid, Finish Jet Dry dishwasher rinse aid, Finish Ultimate dishwasher detergent pod for the optimal dishwashing experience. Shop today our dishwasher supplies, like Finish dishwasher pods and rinse aid.
Best mechanical
48" Air-Gap Drain Pipe Cleaning Brush, Flexible Dishwasher Cleaning Brush in Home & Commercial Kitchen Pipes, Garbage Disposal, Sink, Unclogger Long Sink Snake Drain Pipe Tool by FryOilSaver Co B291C
THE FRYOILSAVER COMPANY
- VERSATILE TOOL FOR CLOGS AND BUILDUP REMOVAL – Tackle stubborn clogs and buildup with ease using this 48-inch extra-long drain cleaning brush, designed to clean pipes and tubes with 1/2", 3/4", and 1" diameters. Featuring a durable, flexible design and high-quality bristle head, it works effectively as a drain snake, sink unclogger, and pipe cleaner for shower drains, dishwasher hoses, CPAP tubes, and more. Ideal for both professional plumbers and home use, this essential tool restores water flow, removes obstructions, and helps maintain a clean, efficient drainage system with minimal effort.
- DRAIN CLEANING BRUSH AND CLOG REMOVER – Keep your plumbing flowing smoothly with this powerful drain cleaning brush and clog remover, expertly designed to clear hair, debris, and tough blockages from sinks, showers, toilets, and more. Acting as a drain snake, pipe cleaner, and sink unclogger in one, this versatile tool helps restore water flow quickly and efficiently. Ideal for routine maintenance or emergency clogs, it’s a must-have solution for keeping drains clean and preventing costly plumbing issues at home or in professional settings.
- HEAVY-DUTY, SUPER FLEXIBLE DESIGN FOR STUBBORN BLOCKAGES – Engineered for maximum strength and flexibility, the B291C drain cleaning brush is the ultimate tool for clearing stubborn blockages in pipes, drains, and dishwasher systems. Its super-flexible design easily maneuvers through tight bends and hard-to-reach areas, making it far more effective than standard drain snakes or sink uncloggers. Perfect for removing hair, grease, and built-up debris, this heavy-duty brush delivers a deep, thorough clean that restores proper drainage flow. Whether for home or commercial use, it’s a must-have solution for reliable, hassle-free clog removal.
- PERFECT FOR DISHWASHER AIR GAPS, PIPES, HOSES & MORE – Designed to tackle tight spaces with ease, this slim pipe cleaning brush fits tubes larger than 1/4", making it perfect for cleaning dishwasher air gaps, CPAP hoses, narrow sink drains, and other hard-to-reach areas. Its compact, flexible design allows for precise navigation through small pipes, delivering a deep, thorough clean where bulkier tools can’t reach. Whether used as a drain snake, pipe cleaner, or clog remover, this versatile tool is a must-have for efficient, no-hassle maintenance in both home and commercial settings.
- MULTI-FUNCTIONAL PIPE CLEANER & CLOG REMOVER – Tackle a wide range of cleaning tasks with this versatile, high-performance pipe cleaning brush—perfect for CPAP hose maintenance, dishwasher cleaning, sink unclogging, and drain blockage removal. Whether you’re dealing with hair clogs in shower drains, buildup in vinyl pipes, or slow-draining sinks, this flexible and gentle tool delivers powerful results without damaging delicate tubing. Designed for deep cleaning and optimal water flow, it's a must-have solution for keeping your plumbing and drainage systems clear, clean, and operating efficiently.
Brand trusted
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner, Helps Remove Limescale and Odor-Causing Residue, 6 Tablets
Affresh
- Powers away limescale and mineral buildup
- No.1 Recommended by Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag and Amana brands (affresh brand products and the recommending brands' products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation)
- Cleans what you can't see: your machine's tub, racks, pump and valve, drain and recirculation hoses
- Cleans inside all dishwasher machine makes and models
- Use monthly or as needed to maximize machine performance (heavily soiled machines may require extra cleaning cycles)
Budget pick
Dishwasher Cleaner And Deodorizer Tablets – 24 Pack Deep Cleaning Descaler Pods for Dish Washer Machine, Heavy Duty, Septic Safe, Natural Limescale Remover, Calcium, Odor, Smell – 12 Month Supply
ACTIVE
- Wide Compatibility – ACTIVE Dishwasher Cleaner is suitable for Most Residential or Commercial Automatic Dishwashing Units. Compatible with GE, Bosch, Frigidaire, LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, Kitchenaid, Kenmore, Maytag, Amana models, all styles including plastic & stainless steel. To ensure proper cleaning, we recommend to monitor your dishwasher during cycle. If you see any foam or water leaking from the machine, stop dishwasher and allow foam and water to drain before continuing
- Deep Descaling Formula – Make your dish washing appliance shine. Removes hardwater, lime, scale, grime, grease, stain and more with a simple citric acid powder diswasher cleaning agent. Removes gunk spot and can help prevent clog and clear out foam in jet, tubes, and filter area.
- Fresh Odor Eliminator – Dual action freshener booster tablet for smelly dishwashers. ACTIVE Dishwasher cleaner's Natural Lemon-citrus Scent leaves your dishwaser smelling and looking good.
- Monthly Maintenance Solution – Keep your dishmachine cleaned with ACTIVE kitchen cleaning supplies. Use single or 2 treatment tabs per month. Place pod inside empty disheasher, run a self clean or regular dishwash to restore your machine. If extra cleaning is needed, always perform two separate cleaning cycles with a single tablet each, adding more cleaner can result in excess foam that effects function.
- Bulk 24 Count Kit – Contains 24 ACTIVE Dishwasher Cleaning Tablets – You're set for a year or more. That's our Best Value Promise – Compare to product with less tablet or single-use liquids.
Eco-friendly option
Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner, Removes Limescale, Rust, Buildup, and Grease, Lemon Scent, Made in the USA, 12 Ounce Bottle, 3-Pack
Glisten
- Powerful Disinfectant: Deep clean, freshen, and help maintain your dishwasher with our powerful cleaner. The quick, easy-to-use dishwasher cleaner helps break up dirty residue and buildup for a fresh appliance every day.
- Clean and Freshen: This liquid cleaning solution works to remove odor-causing buildup and residue from your dishwasher and other hidden areas. This formula is dishwasher, plumbing, and septic-friendly.
- EPA Safer Choice Approved*: Dishwashing machines can have lingering smells from trapped odor-causing food particles and buildup. It powerfully removes limescale, rust, grease, and buildup caused by hard water, detergent, and food residues.
- Easy To Use: Place bottle upside down in silverware basket and run machine on the hottest cycle. Use monthly or as needed to keep your dishwasher clean, deodorized, and performing like new. Please refer to the package for detailed instructions.
- Performance Guarantee: Our cleaning products come with a satisfaction guarantee. We will meet or exceed your expectations with our specially-formulated cleaners, proudly made in the USA
Enzyme formula
Green Gobbler Enzyme Drain Cleaner | Controls Foul Odors & Breaks Down Grease, Paper, Fat & Oil in Sewer Lines, Septic Tanks & Grease Traps | 1 Gallon
Green Gobbler
- ENZYME ENHANCED FORMULA: Green Gobbler Enzymatic Drain & Grease Trap Cleaner uses an enzyme enhanced formula to clear buildup and remove odors in grease traps, septic tanks and similar plumbing systems. It helps digests oils, fats, grease, sludge and other food waste within hours of application. This bottle uses anti-glug technology to help reduce splashing and provides up to eight treatments.
- SAFE FOR PIPES: Green Gobbler helps maintain drain lines, septic tanks, grease traps and grease interceptors. Our enzyme enhanced formula is an excellent alternative to sodium hydroxide and other caustic chemicals.
- IMPROVE GREASE TRAP EFFICIENCY: Green Gobbler increases the efficacy of grease traps by allowing enzymes & bacteria to work more efficiently to promote the separation of water and grease, helping your trap run more smoothly.
- KEEP SEPTIC TANKS HEALTHY: Green Gobbler helps prompt the biological breakdown of foul odors and organic material inside demanding environments such as drains, pipes and septic tanks.
- GREEN GOBBLER GUARANTEE: Green Gobbler cares about its customers. We take pride in developing innovative & effective products for your home or business. If for any reason you are unsatisfied, please contact us. We offer a money-back guarantee within 30 days of purchase.
Odor control
Rejuvenate Garbage Disposal and Drain Pipe Cleaner Powerful Foaming Action and Removes Garbage Disposal Smells 6 Unit Pack Lavender Scent
Rejuvenate
- Instantly cleans, maintains and deodorizes kitchen garbage disposals
- Powerful foaming action scrubs away built-up food, grease and odors
- Enzymes help break down food waste reducing frequency of septic tank pumping
- Use weekly to maintain your kitchen disposer and drains
- Effective for septic systems each package contains 6 lavender scented cleaning pods
Heavy-duty tablets
Heavy Duty Dishwasher Cleaner and Deodorizer Tablets, Descaler, Deep Cleaning, Natural Odor and Smell Remover, Calcium, Limescale, Hard Water Marks, Grease, Septic Safe Pods (12 Tabs – 1 Yr Supply)
Renuv
- Large 20 gram cleaning tablets; Cleans up to 2 times as much as smaller tabs; No need to use multiple tablets. We don't stuff a bunch of tiny tabs in a box to make it look like you are getting more
- Powerful Odor Eliminator – Freshens your smelly dish washer, breaks down the built-up dirt, grime, grease and odor-causing residue in your dishwashing machine
- Heavy Duty – Time-release dishwasher tabs dissolve slowly for maximum efficiency, removing grimy mineral build-up, lime scale, hard water, calcium, stains and odor-causing residue, which helps enhance your dishwasher’s performance and lifespan
- Non Corrosive – Effervescent foaming formula will deep clean, degrease, descale and refresh your dish washer machine while being safe for the environment and septic safe.
- Works On All Dish Washer Machine Brands – LG, Bosch, Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Samsung, Maytag, Kitchenaid, Kenmore, GE, Whirlpool stainless steel or plastic interior
Best tools
XANGNIER Dishwasher Cleaner Brush Kits,Dish Washer Cleaning Tools-2 Drain Pipe Cleaning Brush,4 Air Gap Brush,2 Multifunctional Cleaning Brush and 2 Crevice Brush for Dishwasher Parts&Accessories
XANGNIER
- Dishwasher Cleaning Solution: XANGNIER dishwasher cleaning brush kits is designed to solve a variety of cleaning challenges inside and outside the dishwasher.The Crevice cleaning brush clean mesh filters, panels, spray arms, baskets, and dishracks. The multifunctional brush removes stains at spray arm connections, air gap brush clears obstructed air crevice of the spray arm, and the pipe cleaning brush cleans the crumbs in the dishwasher pipes, realizing all-around and no-dead-angle cleaning.
- Efficient and Time Saving: With this dishwasher cleaning brush sets, you no longer need to search for or buy various sizes of cleaning tools. With one purchase, you get a complete dishwasher cleaner brush kits, which not only greatly improves your cleaning efficiency, but also saves you a lot of valuable time. With this cleaning brush kits, you will enjoy a smoother and more efficient cleaning experience, making dishwasher maintenance easier and faster.
- Comprehensive Deep Cleaning without Dead Ends: Our Dishwasher Cleaning Brush Kit provides you with a full set of professional cleaning tools. It meets the cleaning needs of every part or accessories of your dishwasher, including mesh filters, panels, spray arms, baskets, dishrack, as well as air gaps in the spray arms and debris and stains in the dishwasher hose. This cleaning kit reaches into every nook and cranny of the dishwasher to thoroughly remove hidden and hard-to-reach dirt.
- Extend the Life of Your Dishwasher: We understand the importance of good health, so regular cleaning of your dish washer is essential. Our cleaning brush kit is made of high quality material, enduring and can effectively remove the dirt inside and outside the dishwasher, making your dishwasher cleaner, hygienic and safer to use. Regular cleaning of your washer also delays the life of your dishwasher and reduces maintenance costs. No more unpleasant odors and no clogged spray arms to worry about.
- Easy to Operate: Each cleaning brush in the dishwasher cleaning brush kits is carefully designed to be easy to operate and hold. Whether it's the built-in dishwasher mesh filters, panel, spray arm, basket, dishrack, or small crevices, all can be easily dealt with, making the job of cleaning the dishwasher simple and easy, effectively avoiding bacterial growth and contamination of the dishes, and providing your family with a healthier and safer dishes.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What is the best drain cleaner for dishwasher limescale removal?
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner (B00SXC85IQ) is effective for removing limescale and odor-causing residue.
Which product cleans hidden grease and limescale?
Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid (B010OVNPEW) targets hidden grease and limescale buildup.
What tool helps clean dishwasher drain pipes physically?
48"Air-Gap Drain Pipe Cleaning Brush (B08C82NKZZ) is designed for scrubbing drain pipes.
Are there enzyme-based options for odor control?
Green Gobbler Enzyme Drain Cleaner (B079K94HHV) controls odors and breaks down grease.
Which product offers a deep cleaning tablet form?
Dishwasher Cleaner And Deodorizer Tablets (B09MV5B75Y) provide deep cleaning and descaling.
What removes rust and grease buildup effectively?
Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner (B004JP8RTI) eliminates rust, limescale, and grease.
Which cleaner uses foaming action for drains?
Rejuvenate Garbage Disposal and Drain Pipe Cleaner (B01N702UV7) features powerful foaming action.
Is there a heavy-duty tablet option for descaling?
Heavy Duty Dishwasher Cleaner and Deodorizer Tablets (B0BZSZ4CB1) are designed for deep descaling.
