We'd say every 1–2 months.

Over time, things like detergent residue, grease, mould, limescale, food scraps and funky odours can quietly build up where you can't see them.

If you use your machine daily, tackle particularly messy loads, or live in a hard water area, you may want to clean it a little more often! A regular maintenance clean with Skipper Machine Cleaner helps keep your machine fresh, hygienic and doing what it does best. Squeaky clean dishes and clothes are a must in any Skipper home.

Machine cleaner powder is a specially formulated cleaning product designed to deep clean the internal components of washing machines and dishwashers. Unlike regular detergents, machine cleaner powder targets hidden grease, limescale, detergent residue, mould, food particles and odour-causing bacteria inside your appliance. Skipper Machine Cleaner Powder is designed to help restore freshness, improve machine hygiene and maintain appliance performance with regular use.

Yes, machine cleaner powder is generally safer and more effective than using vinegar or bleach alone. Vinegar may not remove heavy grease, detergent build-up or biofilm effectively, while bleach can damage rubber seals, internal components and stainless steel over time. Skipper Machine Cleaner Powder is specifically formulated for washing machines and dishwashers to provide a deeper clean without harsh damage risks. It helps break down build-up safely while targeting odours and residue more effectively than DIY cleaning methods.

Skipper Machine Cleaner Powder is formulated with naturally derived ingredients designed to effectively clean your washing machine or dishwasher without relying on unnecessarily harsh chemicals.

Regular machine maintenance is also better for the environment because it helps appliances run more efficiently and last longer, reducing unnecessary waste and premature replacements. Keeping your machine clean can improve energy efficiency, water performance and overall lifespan, helping you get more from your appliance while lowering environmental impact over time.

In our testing, no.

We've evaluated machine cleaner tablets and blocks for more than four years and found that powder consistently delivered better cleaning performance. Powders dissolve more completely, circulate more effectively through the machine, and give us greater flexibility to include the ingredients needed for a deep clean.

That's why we chose an Australian-made powder formulation rather than a tablet or block. We also designed our cleaner to work in both washing machines and dishwashers, so there's no need to buy, store, and dispose of separate products for different appliances. Fewer products means less packaging, less waste, and a simpler, more sustainable approach to machine care.