Does self-clean require detergent?

Author: Buford Schaefer  |  Last update: Tuesday, February 24, 2026

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

Do you put detergent in for self clean?

Do not use or mix any other detergent or chemicals during the SELF CLEAN cycle. If necessary, run a RINSE+SPIN cycle after the SELF CLEAN cycle has completed to help remove any residual residue.

Do you need detergent for 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.

Can laundry be cleaned without detergent?

Although you can wash clothes naturally without using detergents, it doesn't bring a satisfactory output. Hence, you may use soaps, pods, or bleach or also baking soda with lemon to clean clothes if you don't have detergents at home for the time being.

What to add to washing machine on self clean?

Step 3: Run the self-clean with bleach

Add one cup of bleach to the detergent cup before you start the cycle.

Samsung Washing Machine Self Cleaning - How To Use

Should I add anything to my washers self clean cycle?

Run the machine: If your washing machine is fairly new, it should have a self-cleaning cycle. If it does, simply add the amount of bleach specified in the ownership manual and run this cycle.

How does self clean work on washing machine?

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.

What happens if you don't put detergent in the washer?

The surfactants (or surface active agents) in detergent break up grease, stains, and food residues to disperse them in water. Without a surfactant (your detergent, in this case), your clothing would simply sit in the water and come out close to the same way it went in: dirty.

Can I use Dawn dish soap as laundry detergent?

Dish soap can cost much less than laundry detergent and can clean your clothes just as well. However, it's important to keep in mind that you will use a lot less dish liquid than laundry detergent. Adding too much dish soap will cause your washing machine to overflow with bubbles.

How do you clean a machine without detergent?

Empty the Drum: Ensure your washing machine is completely empty. Add Cleaning Ingredients: Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the drum and add ½ cup of baking soda. Run the Cycle: Select a hot water setting and start the machine, allowing it to fill and agitate for a few minutes before pausing it to soak.

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.

What does self clean on a dishwasher do?

Most dishwashers feature a self-cleaning programme to clean any nooks and crannies that a regular cleaning can't get to. Also, it uses the advantage of heat to kill any bacteria inside the appliance all thorough to the filter and drain system. Remember not to use regular dishwasher detergent with this programme.

What does the self clean setting do?

Self-cleaning ovens use high heat to help burn any residue or soil left behind in the oven and turn them into ashes, while steam-cleaning ovens use water to soften stuck on food particles. High heat self-cleaning cycles are typically longer than steam-clean cycles, and require a locked oven door as a precaution.

Do you need detergent for clean washer cycle?

Run a Self-Cleaning Cycle

Don't use laundry detergent to clean the tub of your washer. Laundry detergent is for laundry and can build up a residue inside the hoses and other components of the washer; and over time it can provide a moist environment for mold and bacteria to grow.

Can you use vinegar in 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.

Can you use Dawn instead of dishwasher detergent?

No, you should only use dishwasher detergent in your dishwasher as it is designed specifically for your dishwasher to clean dishes without the use of suds or bubbles. Read on to learn what to do if you accidentally use dish soap in your dishwasher.

What can you use if you run out of laundry detergent?

Use Laundry Borax or Baking Soda

If you have no detergent at all, use 1 cup of borax or baking soda for a normal load. Pretreat stains before washing and use the warmest water temperature recommended for the garments.

Can I use shampoo as laundry detergent?

As with dishwashing liquid, shampoo can be used to substitute laundry detergent in an emergency. It's great for handwashing and a go-to option if you're traveling and only have a sink at your disposal.

Is it worth washing without detergent?

It turns out it's definitely not the best idea. Deeper stains will likely not come out of fabrics in water alone, and unpleasant odors tend to linger, even if your clothes look clean. Also, fabric colors can fade over time and become stiff or hardened by metal deposits when detergents aren't used.

Can I use baking soda instead of laundry detergent?

Using vinegar or baking soda will only add to the time and cost of doing laundry; they cannot substitute for a high-quality laundry detergent.

What happens if I don't use he detergent in my washer?

Using regular detergent in an HE washer produces too many suds. This could potentially lengthen the wash cycle, affect cleaning action or overflow the machine.

Do you add anything to a washer for self-clean?

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 self-clean worth it?

“For the first year, it's gonna work great,” he told us, “but don't touch it after a year.” Consider that, according to the CPSC, you might have to run a high-heat self-cleaning setting multiple times to remove really heavy food residue, which is not ideal for most households.

What happens if you don't self-clean your washing machine?

Your laundry will smell.

When your front load washer doesn't get regularly cleaned, your laundry is likely to come out smelling bad due to the mold, grime, and other debris that build up in your washer drum. To stop this from happening, it's important to clean all of the grime and mold out of your washer regularly.

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