Do you use detergent on a self-clean cycle?

Author: Kelsie Fritsch  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 12, 2025

No, neither detergent, bleach nor any other cleaning products are necessary to aid the Self Clean setting.

Do you need detergent for a self-clean dishwasher?

Pour 2 cups (500 mL) of white vinegar into a glass measuring cup or other dishwasher-safe container and place upright in the lower rack. Run a normal cycle with the heat dry option turned off to clean the inside of your dishwasher. Do not use detergent.

What to put in a washer to self clean?

As a natural option in place of washing machine cleaner tabs, pour 2 cups of vinegar into your detergent dispenser and run your washer on the hot cycle. When it's done, add a half-cup of baking soda to the drum and run another hot cycle.

Do you add detergent for a clean washer cycle?

Select the longest, hottest wash cycle setting on your machine and start it, allowing the drum to completely fill with hot water a second time. Be sure you have no clothing items in the drum and no detergent or fabric softeners in any trays.

What happens if you leave oven racks in during self-cleaning?

While the convenience of leaving the racks in might be tempting, the self-clean cycle involves intense heat that can lead to unintended consequences. Leaving the racks in during this process can result in warping, discoloration, and even potential damage to the oven's internal components.

Samsung Washing Machine Self Cleaning - How To Use

How does a washing machine self clean?

To eliminate dirt and residue, the Samsung washer Self Clean feature first soaks the tub in water to loosen any accumulated dirt. Next, it spins the tub at high speeds to detach dirt and mold and rinse it away.

Do you use detergent on a drum clean cycle?

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.

Can I add vinegar to a self-clean washing machine?

Run an empty, regular cycle on hot, using two cups of distilled white vinegar instead of detergent. Add the vinegar to the detergent dispenser. (Don't worry about harming your machine, as white vinegar will not damage clothes.) The hot water-vinegar combo removes and prevents bacteria growth.

How often should I run a clean cycle on my washing machine?

It's generally recommended to clean your washing machine once a month, especially if you want to prevent musty odours from forming inside the drum and keep your clothes smelling great. Sometimes, however, you need to pay your machine a bit more attention, and it may be necessary to thoroughly clean the washer.

How do you run a self-clean cycle on a dishwasher?

Run a cleaning cycle

Simply leave your dishwasher empty, place a half cup of white vinegar at the bottom rack, and run the cycle.

Can you run a dishwasher empty to clean it?

Yes, you can run an empty dishwasher to clean it, and doing so is actually recommended as a regular maintenance practice.

Can I use white vinegar instead of dishwasher detergent?

You've likely been told or read that putting vinegar into your dishwasher's rinse aid or detergent compartment was good for making your dishes spotless. And while it's true it can keep the water spots at bay and give your glasses that desired sparkle, white vinegar can actually ruin your dishwasher.

Do you add detergent to self clean cycle?

Run a Self Clean or Pure Cycle to clean the interior
  1. To run a Self Clean cycle, first make sure the washer is empty.
  2. Press Self Clean, and then press Start.
  3. You don't need to add cleaner when running Self Clean. However, we do recommend using bleach if you already have an existing mold smell (see our guide for details).

Is drum clean the same as self clean?

Samsung washing machines have a self-cleaning cycle called Drum Clean* (or Drum Clean+), which heats up water up to 60 °C and 70 °C to remove any bacteria or build-up from the drum of your washing machine. This can also remove any dirt that has accumulated in the rubber door gasket.

What to put in a washing machine for drum clean cycle?

Add 2 cups of white cleaning vinegar to detergent dispenser. Run the washer through a complete cycle. Run another cycle on the highest level and at the hottest water temperature, this time adding a 1/2 cup of baking soda to the drum. When the cycle is done, wipe inside drum of washer with a damp microfiber cloth.

How does a self-clean cycle work?

Self-cleaning ovens bring the heat so you don't have to spend hours scrubbing. Traditional self-cleaning cycles heat the oven between 800°F and 900°F, helping turn soil and spills to a powdery ash you can then wipe away. They utilize only heat—no chemicals—and are built to withstand high temperatures.

What can I add to my washing machine to self clean it?

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.

How often should a washing machine self-clean be activated?

It's also a good practice to run Self Clean at least once a month if you don't use your washer frequently.

What to do if you forget to remove racks from oven self-clean?

It is possible to salvage oven racks left in during a self-cleaning cycle, but it may be difficult. The racks may be warped or discolored from the high temperatures. If the racks are made of sturdy material, such as cast iron, they may be able to be straightened or sanded down.

Can I put stove grates in a self-cleaning oven?

All grates without bumpers (including flat-wire grates) can be cleaned in a self-clean oven. In 2016, bumpers started being moved from the grates to the cooktop surface on new gas range models. Current 2017 gas ranges models (including free-standing, slide-ins and drop-ins) now have self-cleanable grates.

Previous article
Are brushed nickel taps easy to clean?
Next article
How long does a garage door replacement take?