The best ice maker cleaner
Use the cleaner your machine's manual names. Built-in machines with nickel-plated parts need a nickel-safe cleaner; most countertop machines are fine with a descaler or a vinegar mix. A clean machine makes clearer, better-tasting ice.
Cleaners compared
| Cleaner | Form | Nickel-safe | Good for | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affresh (Whirlpool) Affresh Ice Machine Cleaner, 16 fl oz (W11179302; the KitchenAid manual lists the older part number 4396808) | liquid | Yes | Named in KitchenAid and Whirlpool built-in manuals. Sold at appliance stores, not on Amazon US. | Not on Amazon |
| Nu-Calgon Nickel-Safe Ice Machine Cleaner 4287-34, 16 fl oz bottles (Amazon sells a 3-pack) | liquid | Yes | Nickel-safe liquid for built-in machines with nickel-plated parts. | Price |
| GE Profile Opal Descaling Powder, 6 pack kit | kit | — | Made for GE Profile Opal nugget machines. | Price |
| Essential Values Ice Machine Cleaner and Descaler, 16 fl oz | liquid | Yes | Nickel-safe liquid for countertop and built-in machines. The most reviewed on Amazon. | Price |
| YoLandBuild Ice Machine Cleaner Descaler, 48 tablets | tablets | Yes | Pre-measured tablets: no measuring, easy for countertop and nugget machines. | Price |
| Oh Yuk Ice Machine Cleaner and Descaler, 16 oz, nickel-safe | liquid | Yes | Nickel-safe liquid from a smaller brand, with fewer reviews so far. | Price |
| Impresa Ice Machine Cleaner and Descaler (liquid) | liquid | Yes | Liquid cleaner and descaler. Not found on Amazon US. | Not on Amazon |
Nickel-safe: why it matters
Many undercounter machines freeze ice on a nickel-plated plate. Harsh acids eat that plating, and flakes can end up in the ice. A nickel-safe cleaner removes scale without damaging it.
How often
- Countertop: a clean every 2–4 weeks, a descale when white scale appears.
- Nugget: descale on the maker's schedule; more often with hard water.
- Undercounter: a full clean and sanitize about every six months, or as the manual says.
Next
- How to clean an ice makerUnplug it, drain it, wipe the basket, run a cleaning cycle with the cleaner your manual names, then rinse with two or three cycles of clean water.
- Not making iceStart with the simple causes: no water, a full or blocked ice sensor, a room that is too warm, or scale in the pipes.