How do you clean a self cleaning washing machine?

Author: Faustino Wintheiser  |  Last update: Thursday, October 30, 2025

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.

What to put in the washer when self-cleaning?

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).

What is the best thing to run through a washing machine to clean it?

Cleaning a washing machine can be done in a few simple steps. First, add one cup of white vinegar to the machine. Run the washer on the hottest cycle. Next, add one cup of baking soda to the machine. Run the washer on the hottest cycle again. Finally, wipe down the inside of the machine with a damp cloth.

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.

Is bleach or vinegar better to clean a washing machine?

``If you have mold or mildew, both vinegar and bleach are effective, but bleach is more effective,'' Gazzo says. ``For removing odors, I would say vinegar.''

Samsung Washing Machine Self Cleaning - How To Use

What is the best thing to clean a washing machine with?

For a homemade option, you can try cleaning your washing machine with vinegar. Just pour two cups of distilled vinegar into your detergent drawer. You can also use soda crystals (or baking soda) to clean your washing machine. Sprinkle half a cup into your drum and then let your washing machine run on a hot setting.

Can I run my washing machine empty to clean it?

Running your washing machine empty can be particularly beneficial under certain conditions. For instance, if you're transitioning from washing heavy fabrics, like towels, to lighter items, an empty cycle can help prepare the machine and eliminate any residue.

How to clean a self-cleaning washing machine?

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.

Is distilled vinegar the same as white vinegar?

White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.

Where should I put vinegar in my washing machine?

Using vinegar in laundry is simple. You can add it to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or pour it in during the final rinse cycle. When adding vinegar towards the end of the cycle, manually pause your machine right before the final rinse cycle and add a 1/2 cup of diluted white vinegar to the load.

How do you deep clean and sanitize a washing machine?

How to Deep Clean and Sanitize Your Washing Machine
  1. Remove the bleach/fabric softener dispensers. ...
  2. Add a cup of bleach to the washing machine. ...
  3. Run an entire rinse cycle. ...
  4. Clean the rubber seal. ...
  5. Wipe down the exterior. ...
  6. Unplug the dryer. ...
  7. Clean out the lint drawer. ...
  8. Vacuum.

Will bleach damage my washing machine?

Bleach can be used inside your washing machine for cleaning it as well as working well as a washing machine disinfectant. The most important thing to remember is that you must run at least one empty cycle after cleaning, to remove all remaining bleach and help prevent bleaching next time you do a load of laundry.

What do professional power washers use to clean?

Professionals use a gas-powered pressure washer, a surface cleaner attachment, and a careful selection of specialized nozzle tips, surfactants, bleaches, degreasers, and oxalic acid for pressure washing.

What should I run through my washing machine to clean it?

One of the best ways to clean the washing machine is using chlorine bleach and distilled white vinegar. Starting the washer on its hottest cycle, allow the drum to fill with water, then add one quart of chlorine bleach to the water before allowing the cycle to complete.

How to self clean a whirlpool washing machine?

Step 1: Clean washer with affresh brand tablets
  1. Remove any items left in the tub.
  2. Add an affresh® Washing Machine Cleaner tablet to the bottom of the tub to break up dirt and residue. ...
  3. Close the door and select your washer's cleaning cycle or a normal cycle with hot water setting.

What to use instead of white vinegar for cleaning?

  • Alternative 1: Apple Cider Vinegar. Description of Apple Cider Vinegar and Its Cleaning Properties. ...
  • Alternative 2: Baking Soda. Description of Baking Soda and Its Cleaning Properties. ...
  • Alternative 3: Liquid Dish Soap. ...
  • Alternative 5: Cleaning Vinegar. ...
  • Alternative 6: Industrial Vinegar. ...
  • Alternative 7: Essential Oils.

Can you use distilled white malt vinegar for cleaning a washing machine?

👍 - You will need: ✨White spirit vinegar (also called distilled vinegar) ✨A cloth Instructions: ✨Scrub seal of washing machine with a cloth dipped in white sprit vinegar ✨Pour 2 cups of white spirit vinegar in empty washing machine drum ✨Run machine on hottest wash cycle ✨Put a splash of white vinegar in dispenser ...

How to get rid of mold with white vinegar?

  1. Step 1: Protect Yourself. Direct contact with mold can be dangerous, especially if any spores become airborne during the cleaning process. ...
  2. Step 2: Apply the Vinegar. ...
  3. Step 3: Create a Baking Soda Scrub. ...
  4. Step 4: Scrub Away Remaining Mold. ...
  5. Step 5: Finish with a Final Spray.

Should I put anything in washer for self clean?

Vinegar. You can add two cups of vinegar to a clean cycle to help clean out your washer and help with the build-up.

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.

What is best to clean inside washing machine?

Set your washing machine to the highest and hottest water setting. Add in four cups of white vinegar, and start a cycle. Once the washing machine is filled up and barely started, pause it and allow the water and white vinegar to soak the drum for an hour.

How to deep clean your washing machine?

Steps to clean your washing machine
  1. Select hot water. Choose the hottest water temperature available on your clothes washer. ...
  2. Select an “extra rinse” ...
  3. Add bleach to disinfect. ...
  4. Start the cycle. ...
  5. Manually select an extra rinse if necessary. ...
  6. Repeat steps 1–5 as necessary. ...
  7. Wipe it down.

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.

How often should you self clean your washer?

It is easy to use, and should be run at least once a month or about every 40 wash cycles.

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