Yes, you need to clean your Samsung washing machine regularly. Routine maintenance prevents mold, mildew, and unpleasant odors, while ensuring your clothes actually get clean.
Self-cleaning a Samsung washer takes about 1 to 4 hours. Ensure the drum is completely empty, power on the machine, turn the cycle knob to Self Clean (or Pure Cycle / Drum Clean), and press Start. Do not add any laundry detergent.
The water temperature for Drum Clean+ is set to 70°C, which cannot be changed. Make sure the drum is empty. Do NOT use any cleaning agents or detergents for cleaning the drum. It can cause damage the drum of the washing machine - this applies to Tub Clean as well.
Yes, most Samsung washers have filters that need regular cleaning (every 2 to 3 months) to prevent slow draining, bad odors, and machine damage.
You can use standard liquid chlorine bleach, dedicated washing machine cleaners (like Tide Washing Machine Cleaner or Glisten Washer Magic), or household staples like white vinegar and baking soda to clean your Samsung washing machine.
Keeping your Samsung washing machine clean is important because it prevents odors and mold from accumulating, and keeps your appliance performing the way it should.
Your laundry won't be clean.
Dirty washing machines produce dirty laundry.
Samsung Washer Problems: Leaks, Error Codes and Fixes.
Lint in the washing machine results in debris accumulating in the filter can find their way into the drainage system, potentially causing blockages. Over time, this can lead to water backing up in the machine or overflowing from the drum, resulting in water damage and may result in expensive repairs.
On Samsung top-load washers, the filter location depends on the type of filter. Many modern models do not have a user-serviceable drain filter and rely on self-cleaning pumps. If your model has filters, they are typically found in three different places:
To deep clean your Samsung washing machine, first run a hot water cycle with 4 cups of white vinegar or liquid bleach. Next, clean the rubber gasket (if front-load) and remove the detergent drawer to scrub away mold. Finally, empty the pump filter and run your machine’s built-in self-clean cycle.
Using vinegar can be a natural way to clean certain exterior parts of your washing machine. While vinegar's acidity is okay for specific surfaces, it's important to avoid pouring it directly into the washer drum or running it through the cycle.
You can clean the drum without a cleaning agent when you use the ECO DRUM CLEAN cycle. (DO NOT USE a common cleaning agent for the ECO DRUM CLEAN and ECO DRUM CLEAN+ function.) Chemical residue in the drum may cause damage to the laundry or the drum of the washing machine.
Samsung washers require regular tub cleaning (typically every 20-40 cycles) to prevent mold, bacteria, and detergent buildup. The machine will often alert you by blinking a "Drum Clean" or "Eco Tub Clean" indicator on the control panel.
The 4-hour Self Clean cycle on Samsung front-load washers is a dedicated, hot-water sanitizing program designed to kill bacteria and eliminate mold without harsh chemicals. It is completely normal for this cycle to take a long time, as it incorporates long soaks and multiple rinse cycles.
If your washing machine smells musty, leaves brown spots or oily residues on your clothes, or takes longer than usual to dry, it needs cleaning. Detergent buildup, mold in the rubber door seal, and clogged drain filters are the primary culprits behind these issues.
The answer to when to do laundry to save money
Most people will see that they have a lower tariff overnight, usually between 11 pm and 7 am. This is the best time to do your washing as you'll save money. Saving money on electricity is only part of the equation.
If you never clean your washing machine, detergent residue, fabric softener, body oils, and hard-water minerals build up over time. This creates a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, resulting in musty-smelling clothes, skin irritation, clogged filters, and costly mechanical breakdowns.
Samsung washers typically last between 10 to 14 years, though with heavy use or poor maintenance, this can drop to 7–8 years. Reaching the upper end of that lifespan requires proper upkeep, as modern appliances feature complex electronics that are sensitive to wear and tear.
In 2013, Samsung issued a voluntary recall of around 144,000 of its top loader washing machines after discovering they posed a fire risk due to an internal fault in the wiring. The fault affected six models sold between 2010 and 2013, and caused over 200 fires and fire-related incidents in Australian homes.
Samsung has received 51 reports of smoking, melting, overheating or fire involving the washers; 10 of which resulted in property damage. Three consumers have reported injuries due to smoke inhalation.
Most machines have a “clean” cycle that can be run without a load in it to flush the drum and internal components of excess dirt, bacteria, or any other buildup of contaminants that can lead to dirty or smelly laundry as you run repeated wash cycles through the machine.
For a front-load washer, put 2 tablespoons of borax or oxygen bleach and 2 tablespoons of washing soda in the tub of the washing machine. For a top-loading machine, put 1/2 cup of each of the powders into the wash tub. Run at the hottest temperature or use the “clean tub” setting on the washer.
Steps for Using Self Clean
Optional Step: Open the Combo door and pour one cup or 250 ml of liquid bleach or other washing machine cleaner into the basket. OxiClean can be used in the Self Clean cycle. It can be used as a powder (or dissolved in hot water) and placed in the empty basket before the cycle.