Side by Side Comparison of: Affresh vs Tide

This is the best washer cleaning pods I have ever used. But make sure you wipe it a bit after washing the washer. Because there are white powders sticks around .

These are great. Killed the mildew smells immediately. Have to mess with your washer settings a bit on a front load so it doesn't get hung up on an agitator before dissolving. Other than that easy to use good product.

Washer started smelling a bit funky several months after we got it.I didn't understand why I couldn't just run bleach in my machine to clean it out occasionally, until I actually ran one of these tablets (free sample with my washer)The key is that the tablet goes in the washer drum, and doesn't dissolve right away. So as the washer runs through several repeated cycles of fill, agitate, and drain - the tablet is still there, sudsing up the water on cycle #2 and #3. If you just put bleach in the soap dispenser, it would all be gone after cycle #1.Also, this gets very sudsy and that probably helps it reach some areas of the machine that wouldn't otherwise get touched.

When I bought my high efficiency washer eight years ago, I did a lot of research and found a lot of complaints that they would have an awful smell coming from them. Either the sales lady or somewhere online I read to keep the door and detergent drawer open after use so they can dry out. Also to use this stuff. I have always done that and have never had a problem with any funny smells. Keep the doors open after you wash!!! And use these.

I have been using bleach to clean my machine for some time, but decided to give this a try a few months ago. My very first clean with Affresh left me surprised and delighted for not only did it clean my machine, it eliminated the nasty smell that always transferred to my clothes thanks to a build up of mold I didn't even know about. Every month now, I toss a tablet into the drum and let it work its magic. Now, my machine is cleaner than ever, and my clothes always smell wonderfully fresh. I highly recommend this to everyone.

Our new LG washer gets a stinky smell every so often so I bought these tabs. I put one in a month on the clean tub setting and it eliminates the odor.I just made a T-chart with a permanent marker on the box for the months and add an X when I put the tab in for the month. This way I don't miss a month and my washer runs great.

I love how these smell. I've been buying them at a big box store but found them here for significantly less. They are exactly the same as what I've been buying and make my entire house smell fresh when I wash my washer!

Our two year old Samsung top loader "He" was getting a little smelly. I read reviews on this product on Amazon and decided to try it. I first ran the wash with bleach to kill bacteria, then used this product. It has improved the wash tremendously and eliminated all odors from the washing machine.

Just bought a house with front load HE washing machine. It had alot mold built up around the rubber ring and just smelled strongly of mildew. Wiped out the excess mold and ran a package of this through the machine. AMAZING STUFF!!. This stuff works as advertised. Ring was clean and the tub smelled great after one use. Use it once a month and havent had to smell mildew since. BUY IT!!

We have very hard well water, and even after the water softener, the water is still hard. With the amount of minerals etc. that get deposited in the washing machine, we need to clean it fairly often. We've tried bleach, vinegar, and a few other household tricks, but it never seems to keep the washing machine smell-free for long, unfortunately. Enter Tide Washing Machine Cleaner.

This stuff seems to last much longer than everything else we have tried. It's easy to use, and watching the prices, you can get it much cheaper on Amazon than at your local store...at least our local stores. I'm very happy with the results of the Tide Washing Machine Cleaner. I will say, that it is, um, fragrant? When we use this, you can smell it everywhere in the house. Even the basement. So if you are sensitive to strong smells, you probably want to avoid this.

Although I frequently do reviews on products offered to me at a promotional price, this was a personal purchase. I paid full price.I was not asked, nor am I obligated to give a review.

I have had a front loader washer for about 6 years. I have never had a problem with it smelling musty and moldy or mildewy until just this year. I tried bleach, baking soda, vinegar, hot water, cold water, nothing worked. Then when I was filling up a Prime Pantry order, I saw this was available and decided to try it. I'm glad I did! In just one cycle, my washer smells like new again - maybe even better than new! I am so glad that there are treatments like this to keep me from losing my mind.

Its my first time using this product. But I feel like it works. I dont close my doors of my washer ever because I dont want it to smell and have mildew regardless....but this left a really nice fresh scent and a great amount of suds and cleaning that I felt were very effective.

I hate that my old front load washer & now my new one both have this seal smell issue but it is the nature of the beast so these are the best & frankly the only thing that keeps the smell away & keeps it from getting on towels as it did in the old washer. I use it monthly as directions indicate & since I ran out for two months this winter I followed instructions for more pesky odors & it worked. I suggest all who own front load washers but this bu the 6 or 12 pack! All other home remedy's of all sorts did little to nothing; other store bought front load cleaners also did little to nothing while this actually works!

Followed instructions and used my washer's cleaning cycle with Affresh. Removed 75% residue. Have not had time to run again yet (cleaning cycle takes hours). Will update if the rest is removed with additional cleaning.I am a one person household and have not cleaned my top load in a year? The last 2/3 times were with bleach (mostly ineffective). Washer is 2 years old.

Our washing machine gets an odd smell if we forget to leave the lid up after washing. Decided to give this a try and it seemed to take away most of the smell. I was hoping it would leave a fresh smell, but I guess a neutral smell is better than an off smell. We'll see what happens as I use it again.

I didn't think it did such a great job, did it remove the odors yes but not all of them. I gave it 4 stars because although I wasn't in love this item I still thought it still did a good job since it's better than Clorox.

Seems to do a pretty good job of keeping my front loader free of the nasty smells that people complain about. But I think the most important thing to do is leave the door a little open when the machine is not in use so it dries out. Also, the newer machines (like mine) all have drainage built into the system, which the older machines didn't have. Even so, I use Affresh and will continue to do so... I had to do some service on my machine and it was spic and span inside. The 6 tablet box in this listing cost me about $12, compared to $10 for 3 tablets... awesome deal.

A local appliance retail store suggested this to help clean out my washing machine and to get rid of odors. This works on front load machines and top load machines.The only drawback is that the after smell is a bit strong.

Worked great purchased first time as an add-on item 7 for 8.99 then went to reorder and it was an add-on item 6 for 10.99. Disappointing that's not a bargain.

These don't provide the "brand new washer" feeling, but they are a great add to your cleaning routine. With regular use, I imagine it will only get better.

I honestly have never used a washing machine cleaner, because it seemed rather redundant to me. However, I got some of this Tide Cleaner for my son and he said it worked very well. So, I decided to try it. It does seem to do the job ( though, honestly I frequently wipe down any soiling that I can see on my washing machine.) However, my adult daughter, who has a very keen sense of smell ( tell, her she has more of a dog's sense of smell :) was disturbed by the residual odor. So, I guess if you are sensitive to smells, you may wish to avoid this product....

I like the PRICE and Tide is a reputable brand. The smell complaint is legit - at least before you use. I have a Whirlpool Cabrio with cleaning cycle.Did not have a residual odor after, or on the clothes. It is in the garage, so the clothes smell was what I was most concerned with.How can you tell if the product actually worked? It will be a long time before service is called (I hope) and they say the machine was gunked up and should have been cleaned. The whole idea is probably a scam, but the washer manual says to do it.

I've used Tide Washing Machine Cleaner since purchasing a high-efficiency, front-loading LG washer a few years ago. I try my best to leave the washer open after running a cycle to let the bin dry out, but even with airing it out the bin eventually gets a little musty. The Tide cleaner packs work well to remove the musty smell and any buildup from my washer, and they're incredibly easy to use.For my washer, I simply place the Tide cleaner where I normally put dry laundry soap. I set the cycle to the highest temperature and let it roll!I use the cleaner every 2-3 months, usually dependent on when I notice the bin getting a little funky. The 7-count box lasts me most of the year (do be careful purchasing non-Prime boxes...the price per packet seems expensive).

It didn't work as well as I had hoped it would. I have a front loading machine and the appliance repair guy recommended this product. He said it will clean everywhere water touches, but it didn't clean the seal area where water touches. I ran my machine on the special "Clean Washer" setting too. I will try vinegar next time.

It's works kinda. I used a couple of packs and the smell was still a little there. I went ahead and took apart my washer and there's it a lot of mold build up up where the solution wouldn't reach. So I had to scrub the basin by hand and that took care of my smell problem.

Not sure how I feel about this product yet, I have used them for three months now and they seem to be working but if you haven't used them in over six months they want you to run 3 or 4 cycles to clean your front loader. There are 6 in the box. So you basically use them all the first time if you never knew you had to clean your washer. The price should be lower but I guess I get why they have it at the price its sold. They do have to make money. But the main problem I have is why so many washes, why not improve the product to get a thorough cleaning the first or second time.

It helped, but you know what helped even more?! Google a video on how to remove your washer's agitator and scrape and scrub off all the built-up soap scum and gunk. Then your laundry room will stop smelling slightly of an open raw sewage line! ;-) This odor started happening when we moved to a home with septic and could not use bleach anymore in the laundry (were told it would kill the good stuff in the septic and mess things up). It was months before we started smelling it, but it was always there. It has nothing to do with backed up drain lines or plumbing issues. Just because your washer washes things doesn't mean that it gets cleaned by doing that. Now I plan to remove the agitator to clean twice a year and will run an affresh tab in it at that time.

The order recommendation was confusing. It recommended 6 month supply so I ordered 6. Well, you only need to use it once a month and there are six in the package. Now I have several years worth! I bought a used front load washer and dryer set as I was in a pinch. The washer smelled like dog and mildew. I put one of these in the washer as recommended and it did OK. I still had to scrub all around the door seal. I wasn't super impressed, but I will use up what I have.

I've been using this product to clean my HE top-load washing machine for years. This machine, an LG, has a setting to clean the washer. My old Whirlpool top load I cleaned using hot water on the normal cycle with these tablets. The product works to clean and freshen up the washer. I made this purchase as it was less expensive to buy a larger quantity (6 tabs/box), that is not available at other retailers where I live. Home Depot and Wal-Mart are usually out and don't replenish their stock. Why only 3 stars? The product I received was a year past the expiration date on the package and the coupons on the inside had even expired. I have had to clean the machine more often than monthly, despite washing less. Maybe they should be used before the expiration date?

bad smell when cleaning. make me feel dizzy.

Smells strange. Won't buy again

This really stinks. Not what it used to be.

I got these since I have a front loader that get's gross. We have a baby and cats so our laundry definitely gets dirty. My grandma recommended these to use every once in a while, and while I'm assuming it cleaned the inside, it smells like super strong chemicals! My washer is in the upstairs jack and jill bathroom, which doesn't help as far as ventilation goes. I had to turn on the vent fan and open windows in both rooms for air flow. I felt like the strong chemical scent lingered for a few days, which isn't what I want especially in my baby's room. Can you make it smell less chemical please?!

Most folks will probably like the smell of their washer after using this. I personally am sensitive to cleaning detergent odors and this is one of the strongest smelling products I've come across. It's laundry detergent fragrance times 100. I continue to use it because we've not been able to find anything that gets the washer as clean. We had a costly repair on washer for clogging and a regular descaling cleaning product was recommended by repairman once a month to prevent from happening again. I have to close door to laundry room when I use this. By12 hours later it's subtle enough to open again. Can't argue that it does the job it claims to do.Looking forward to an unscented version in future.

Have been buying this in stores (Target) and except for when it first came out, the smell while powerful, has not been overwhelming. This time I bought from a 3rd party and I must say the perfume smell is outrageous. Its like somebody dropped a bottle of cheap perfume in the laundry room. Used this shipment 3 times and then threw the rest away. Went back to the store (Target) and while Tide could stand to reduce the perfume additive even more, the newer store purchases are not nearly as aromatic. Beginning to wonder where the 3rd party sellers get their supply. Noticed it also had product name in French which leads me to think Canada. In any case, will continue to use as I find it works better than Affresh at removing the light brown crude that appears in the wash if I don't clean. I am now using once a month in HE top loader and I have no odor or crude residue in the was. Finally, Tide if you're watching... Your product works, NOW REMOVE more of the perfume.

Who knows if this is doing any good but I'll run one load monthly just as a possible preventative. My major complaint is that it says the two sodium ingredients are VERY caustic so I'm a but concerned of what residue might end up on my clothes. Checking out the two chemicals in the product showed following information so be very careful using this product. "Both sodium carbonate and sodium percarbonate are poisons. Medline Plus explains that the symptoms of sodium carbonate poisoning include breathing problems, throat swelling, collapse, diarrhea, eye irritation and redness.The amount of sodium percarbonate in household products usually does not cause problems. However, exposure to the pure chemical can cause burns, skin irritation, eye irritations and even blindness. Inhalation can cause throat irritation and coughing."

I used it as directed but it did not work for my washer. I'm not sure if I have a problem with the washer - but it should've taken away the smell. It removed a little of the smell, but not much. I definitely won't buy again.

I had originally bought this for my friends washer because we had to use it for a little bit when I was broke down and I was waiting for the part to repair. And they have a front loader. And she was always asking me to keep the door open because it was getting a very dank musty smell. So I looked up online what can help with that and this is one of the things that came up. Reading all the reviews I thought this would be the perfect thing to get. But first things first if you do have a front load washer you need to go around that rubber ring and make sure that there's not an answer to it where water can just sit there like it did in hers and pool and sit there and just get stagnant from never being cleaned out. The Moldy smell was just out of control. So when I got this I took one right down through it in and run the washer through its paces on the cleaning setting it recommends. But when I came back down to open it up and check on it thinking it would smell lemony fresh. Although that was a hint of lemon and horrible moldy smell. That's when I decided to look around the rubber ring and see what was going on. And like I said it turned out that was a big pool of water under the ring. And I had to mop it up with paper towels. And then from it sitting there for so long there was a big black stain of mold on the rubber. So what I did was fill up that area with CLR. And let it sit overnight with the door open. Then the next day I came down mopped it up but the black stuff was still there. So this time I take the cover off the CLR and then poured it in there. And proceeded to use a scrub brush to really get down in there. Rinsed it out and dried it up. And then walked around the whole rubber ring. Then the machine tells you to pour chlorine bleach into the chlorine bleach holder. And set the washer to it's cleaning cycle but instead I poured CLR and there and the detergent one as well and then said it to clean and put a new tablet in. And the next time I came down it did smell clean. But with all the praise these things were getting I was just sending that all I would have to do is pop it in and clean their washer. Because I wanted to do something nice for them for letting us use it. And in the end I think it was the fact that I cleaned it out with the CLR and everything else but not really the tablet. But a lot of people seem to think that work and the price isn't bad so it's worth a shot.

I bought this because we have a front-load LG washer that sometimes accumulates a gross smell, despite constantly airing it out, etc.I put one of these in and it didn't work at all, instead it just left a weird chemical smell. The tablet did not dissolve all the way so once the cycle was done I had to take it out.I just ended up running a cycle with bleach and that helped more. I wouldn't really recommend this product, at least not for my type of washer.

I feel this was too expensive for the product, it does okay, just wish it really made a difference, I've had just as good luck using baking soda + Vinegar. Plus you have to dig each tablet out of a single package within the larger box. This is wasteful and not environmentally conscious packaging.

I read both the five-star reviews and those that thought bleach or baking soda and vinegar worked as well or better. Prior to finding this product my monthly regimen was to run a complete hot cycle with bleach (poured into bleach dispenser) followed by a complete hot cycle with baking soda (poured into detergent compartment) and vinegar (poured into drum) - a combination I found via Pinterest. Even though these tablets seemed pricey and other reviewers found regular grocery ingredients worked better, the positive reviews were encouraging that with just a toss of an already formulated tablet, cleaning the washing machine would be inconvenient no more. I tried the product twice and was not impressed with the results either time. I agree with other reviewers that prefer to use bleach or baking soda with vinegar.

Perfume smell is too strong for human noses. I'm trying to get rid of the soap scum that plagues all front loading washing machines, not gag on Tide No. 5.

Didn't really help washer smell and super strong odor when use them. Obnoxious. Leaving washer lid open helped more!

Leaves a weird smell in your laundry machine which then gets on your clothes the next wash. I had to run my machine twice. I usually love tide products but not this one. I recommend the affresh brand Bc you can get the cleaner and wipes. For me that's better because I have a front loading washing machine.

Too much artificial fragrance, and didn't clean well. (Used in a front load washer) The clothes of next 2 laundry load will get it's smell and I don't like it.

When I purchase these at Safeway (at a much higher cost), they work well and smell great. When I purchased them on Amazon I received products that smell very different. I'm not sure why there is a difference in smell from the ones purchased locally, but it does have me wondering if these are the real deal. They smell like a cheap musty soap, and not fresh like the ones I'm used to. Very disappointed with this particular shipment and am reluctant to purchase these online again.

First of all, they do not come in a box, so there is a problem with storage. I will stick with other products to clean my machine. I thought that this would save money per cleaning, but it more or less just scents the washing machine. If it takes more than one package to do the cleaning and you need to run the machine through two cycles, you might as well stick with a more expensive product. The more expensive product will still cost less in the long run.

makes my washer smell like butt. Literally. Ugh it's awful

Left a really chemical foul odor in my washing machine. Even after many washes. Ended up using a DIY home remedy to get rid of the mildew smell in my washing machine.

Did 3 times in a row as recommended. Washer still smells. This product doesn't work at all, also noticed on the bottom of the carton, it says 2015, maybe the stuff had an expiration date? But I got it from Amazon subscription a couple of months ago.

The smell gets worse after you start using this :( going back to baking soda and vinager

I used 1 tablet. The smell is way too strong. I put the empty package in the trush, and the kitchen smelled, I had to take it out. My machine still has the moldy smell thou.

So I'm not impressed. Instructions say to drop one pod in wash empty and run for a full cycle. Well I did and at first it smelt great but after the washer was done my washer stunk again like old water. I'm not sure putting more then one pod in would make a difference. I will say they do smell really good and clean it was nice walking in to my laundry room with that scent. I don't think I got a bad batch if I didn't you would think they wouldn't smell at all. I'm giving this item a 1 star because I'm just not happy with the outcome. Great smell though.

This product is awful. I used it once in our front loading washer, and I couldn't tell if it really cleaned it or not. The washer didn't look any cleaner and the fregrance was overpowering. If you are sensitive to smells, do not buy this product. I have done close to 20 loads of laundary since using this and it still smells. It is a very strong perfume smell gives me a headache every time I use the washer. I threw the other packets away because the smell was so bad.

NOT intended for use in washer specialty cleanout cycles. This fact is not revealed, so far as I can tell, anywhere except in a fine print footnote on the actual packet. Since that was my intention for use, I was NOT pleased.

am sorry I didn't read more reviews about this product. While it may have cleaned(not quite sure) the chemical odor is not worth it. This odor took not only a good while to clear from laundry room,but rinsed out machine twice to get rid of the odor,not taking chance it would leave on clothing. Left me w a dull headache from inhaling fumes!Will go back to cleaning machine/refreshing with good old chlorine bleach. Have tossed the remainder of package in garbage,not worth what it would cost to ship back.

Tide usually has good products but this one smells ACRID, it's like the lingering scent that soaks into your clothes after you've been inside a cheap bodega or gas station store, DO NOT BUY!

I strongly suggest not using these. As far as I can tell it basically it take the same perfume agent in their normal detergent and concentrates it in a formula that sticks to the inside of the washing machine drum - in a VERY intense odor - and then puts that same odor / purfume into the clothes. So it does not illuminate any odor in the machine, it simply masks it - and it smells way too intense. To truly get the odor from our washing machine we had to treat it with vinegar often. I will throw away my remaining packets.

Ordered 7-pack of this Tide Washing Machine Cleaner and it was sold by "My Great Goods" and fulfilled by Amazon. The 7 cleaner packets came in one large clear plastic bag. Each of the 7 packets had puncture holes in them. As soon as I opened the large clear plastic bag they came in, I smelled chemicals and they felt tacky to the touch, as if a packet had been opened and spilled and there was residue on all of the packets. Upon closer inspection I see that all of them had been punctured. Perhaps these are all Seconds? They should not be sold as "new" quality items. I am returning for a refund.