Is your Samsung washing machine starting to look grimy? Perhaps a deep-cleaning session should be in order!
This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide to cleaning your Samsung washer — part by part!
That’s right; from the inside of the drum to that tiny cover on the bottom of your appliance — we’ll detail why it’s important to clean them and how you can properly tend to them.
So grab your trustee wipers and let’s get right into making your Samsung washing machine shine like new!
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Samsung Washing Machine
To clean your Samsung washing machine:
- Step 1: Dispense a small amount of detergent onto a clean, damp cloth.
- Step 2: Clean the desired area by gently scrubbing in circular motions.
- Step 3: Use another damp cloth without soap to wipe the area you just scrubbed.
- Step 4: Dry the area with a dry cloth.
Your Samsung washing machine might be an agent of cleaning, but it’s not completely resistant to being stained from spills or collecting dust or mildew over time.
Sure, Samsung washer models have self-cleaning settings that make it easier to clean the interior of the appliance now and then, but ensuring that your washer doesn’t get moldy in the long run means you’ll have to perform regular manual cleaning on it.
You’ll want to watch out for stains on the exterior, after all! Below, we’ve elaborated on each step to help you keep your Samsung washing machine sparkling and spotless.
Step 1: Dispense a small amount of detergent onto a clean, damp cloth.
Your Samsung washing machine is made of durable materials that can endure most physical strains — such as heavy laundry weight, or even scratches — but chemical ingredients are its Achilles’ heel.
A particularly strong detergent or cleaner can mar your appliance and leave a permanent stain on its finish. Samsung recommends using Cerama Byte, but any other mild detergent could also do the trick.
Remember to use only a small amount. Most stains will come off with just a bit of water and detergent, but if you’re faced with a stubborn stain, don’t get tempted to double the amount of detergent or you’ll ruin your appliance’s finish!
Make sure to use a microfiber cloth as well — they’re much more absorbent than standard cloth, and take less effort to rinse, so you can reuse them on any other areas you need to clean.
Step 2: Clean the desired area by gently scrubbing in circular motions.
A cleaning tip we at ApplianceGeeked swear by is to do spot cleaning first before you rinse down the entire appliance body. This means you’ll have to look out for areas with large or noticeable staining, so you can clean them first.
Your Samsung washing machine inevitably catches detergent residue — and we understand that accidents happen sometimes, and you end up spilling it all over the washer’s top — which can dry out pretty quickly and leave stain marks.
Spot cleaning, in this case, will help you focus on these streaks or stains, especially if they’re being difficult. Tougher stains can occur when spilled detergent has gone completely dry on the appliance’s surface.
To get rid of them, we recommend using a stainless steel cleaner, but nothing too abrasive. Remember: stronger chemicals can leave blemishes on your washing machine’s surface or make the stains worse.
Even after spot cleaning, we recommend scrubbing your appliance down area by area to ensure you don’t miss a spot. Scrub in gentle, circular motions — don’t scrub too aggressively.
Use another damp cloth without soap to wipe the area you just scrubbed.
After scrubbing with soap and water, you’ll naturally want to rinse the suds off your washing machine. For this step, you can put your sprayer away — a damp cloth with no soap will do!
Similar to the first step, we also recommend using a microfiber cloth to rinse the area you recently just cleaned.
Dry the area with a dry cloth.
Residual water can leave as much stain as detergent, so after scrubbing and rinsing your Samsung washing machine’s surface, grab another microfiber cloth to wipe the appliance dry.
You don’t need to take an extra step to dampen this one — just use it dry as it comes.
Don’t attempt to use any heating instruments to aid you with this step, either. We used damp cloths to prevent excessive moisture from clinging onto the washer as you clean it, so it doesn’t call for drastic drying measures.
Moreover, like with water or detergent residue, heating instruments like hairdryers can damage the make of your washer.
| Quick Tip: • The above steps are good for routine cleaning. You don’t necessarily have to do this after every load, though we recommend cleaning the washer exterior after you’re done using the appliance. • Routine cleaning should be different from your monthly cleaning. For the latter, you can put the appliance on Self Clean or Pure Clean mode, if your Samsung washing machine model has it. |
How to Activate Samsung Washing Machine Self-Clean Cycle
To run a Self Clean or Pure Cycle on your Samsung Washing Machine:
- Step 1: Empty the washer.
- Step 2: Locate the Self Clean or Pure Cycle setting on the control panel and select it.
- Step 3: Press Start to begin the cycle.
Self Clean — or Pure Cycle or Self Clean+ on other models — is a special feature on Samsung washing machines that, as the name suggests, puts the appliance in auto-cleaning mode.
This mode deep cleans the washer’s drum. Compared to regular cycle settings for laundry loads, Self Clean mode reaches areas where moisture and detergent residue may accumulate and form mold.
You might be wondering how your machine does this — how is Self Clean different from regular laundry loads?
The answer is more ordinary than you’d think it is: loads and loads of water!
In Self Clean mode, the machine fills itself with more water than usual and initiates a high-speed washing cycle that lasts for more than an hour.
This dislodges any dirt or residue that has accumulated in the far corners of the drum. They’re later drained with the water after the Self Clean cycle is done.
Below, we’ve elaborated more on how to do each step, to ensure the full efficiency of this special mode.
Step 1: Empty the washer.
When you put your Samsung washing machine in Self Clean mode, the drum has to be empty: no leftover clothes and no detergent.
The machine is working to dissolve residue from the detergent you used in previous cycles, so putting detergent in for the cleaning cycle might only add to the already present debris inside the unit.
On the other hand, if you notice a moldy smell building up inside the drum, we recommend using bleach on this step to get rid of the odor.
Step 2: Locate the Self Clean or Pure Cycle setting on the control panel and select it.
Depending on the Samsung washer model you’re using, you can select this mode via the knob or simply by pressing a button.
For the latter option, upon pressing Self Clean, other buttons will likely be inaccessible. Your appliance will automatically set the settings required to perform the self-cleaning process, including how long it’ll approximately take to finish.
You’ll be able to select other options again after the cycle is done, or if you opt out of Self Clean mode by choosing a different cycle or resetting the washer.
| Quick Tip: • Now and then, you might notice that there’s a red symbol blinking (samsung washing machine symbols) on your Samsung washing machine’s display panel. • If it’s a washer tub icon — a cylinder shape with a set of dots or dashes on it, with sparkling symbols near it — that’s the Self Clean or Pure Cycle warning. • It lights up after around 20 to 40 washes, depending on how heavy your washing load usually is. When you see this, your Samsung washer is telling you that you need to run a Self Clean session at the soonest opportunity. • With or without this symbol, though, we recommend running a Self Clean cycle once every month. |
Step 3: Press Start to begin the cycle.
Self Clean cycles don’t start automatically, so if you only accidentally triggered it, you don’t have to worry about rushing in to stop it. It’ll begin only when you press the Start button.
In that vein, once it begins, the only way to cancel it is to press the Start again. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for the Self Clean cycle to end completely.
As we’ve mentioned above, your Samsung washing machine will determine how long it needs to go into Self Clean mode. This could be anytime between an hour and 4 hours, depending on how much residue there is in unreachable corners.
Cleaning Your Samsung Washing Machine Without Self Clean Mode
Older models of Samsung washing machines may not have the convenience of Self Clean mode, but that doesn’t mean you can’t replicate the process.
All you need is enough water and any washing machine cleaner available at your local supermarket.
The instructions and requirements may vary depending on the cleaner you use, but in general, you can begin by running a cycle of just water at high speed, much like how Self Clean mode works for other models.
How to Clean a Samsung Washing Machine Gasket
To clean your Samsung washing machine’s gasket:
- Step 1: Empty the washing machine and inspect the gasket for any debris or stains.
- Step 2: Clean it with a mild cleanser and dry cloth.
- Step 3: Rinse it with a damp cloth.
- Step 4: Wipe it with a dry cloth. Leave the machine’s door open to dry the interior.
Self Clean can typically be enough to clean your Samsung washing machine’s gasket or rubber seal, but if it has mold or debris on it, you might have to do the cleaning yourself.
It’s also a good idea to check the rubber seal manually from time to time to prevent any hindrances to the door from developing.
Samsung appliances come with a safety design that temporarily pauses its functions when something is obstructing the door from closing properly.
Whether it’s mold or lint, if it stops the door from opening or closing, you might find your Samsung washing machine powering on but refusing to start a cycle.
A tightly sealed washer door will also prevent leaks from happening, so we advise regularly inspecting the door for any obstructions or signs of wearing out.
For safety measures, we advise you to unplug your Samsung washer first or cut it off at its power source before you set to clean the gasket.
Afterward, here’s what to watch out for when doing each step:
Step 1: Empty the washing machine and inspect the gasket for any debris or stains.
A golden rule with Samsung washers and dryers is to keep them empty when you’re troubleshooting them or inspecting for any issues. For one, it guarantees your safety.
Another reason is that it prevents anything from getting caught in the door any further and intervening in the operation.
Just about any small object can catch on the door gasket, especially tiny materials that you’d usually forget you had in your pocket. Coins or cards or keys, for example, can easily get trapped between the rubber seal.
While debris can prevent your washer from starting any cycle, stains on the other hand can ruin the rubber if left uncleaned.
Both debris and stains, however, can get caught or form inside and outside the rubber gasket, so when you fix to inspect this part, don’t hesitate to pull it out and turn it over!
| Quick Tip: If you find the gasket to be loose or damaged, replace it immediately. While loose gaskets can be refitted, the preventive measure to take is to buy a new one, as the lax quality is a sign of wearing down. |
Step 2: Clean the gasket with a mild cleanser and dry cloth.
Similar to when you clean the surface of your Samsung washing machine, a microfiber cloth can render the best result in cleaning its rubber seal as well.
You can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush — anything with a soft finish will do!
What you want to keep in mind is to avoid harsh cleaning tools to avoid the risk of wearing the rubber down.
In the same way, you’ll want to be mindful of the cleanser you use on the rubber seal. Make sure to use gentle cleansers — you can even use organic alternatives such as baking soda paste (combined with dish soap) or toothpaste!
| Quick Tip: • If there’s any mold or mildew in the gasket, consult your user manual first if it’s safe to use a vinegar solution or bleach to dispel it. These materials might cause more harm to the gasket if you’re not careful. • On the other hand, it’s always a good idea to use an antimicrobial cleaner on the gasket. Just make sure you check the label on the solution first to verify if they’re rubber-safe! |
Step 3: Rinse the gasket with a damp cloth.
An important thing to remember for this step is that you use a dry cloth to clean the gasket and a damp cloth to rinse it down.
A damp cloth for rinsing will make the effort easier than if you use a brush like in the previous step.
As usual, make sure to use a microfiber cloth for cleaning.
| Quick Tip: When washing the gasket, don’t forget to clean your Samsung washing machine’s door cavity, too, as well as the door itself. |
Step 4: Wipe the gasket with a dry cloth. Leave the machine’s door open to dry the interior.
Once you’ve washed and rinsed every surface of your Samsung washing machine’s gasket and door, dry it with another dry cloth.
Afterward, let them air dry separately. Leave the appliance’s door open to dry the door cavity.
To reiterate, you should avoid using a heating instrument to dry either part as too much heat might melt or damage the materials.
How to Clean Samsung Washing Machine Pump Filter
To clean a Samsung washing machine’s pump filter:
- Step 1: Open the filter.
- Step 2: Remove the cap from the drain hose and drain the water.
- Step 3: Remove the filter and clean it with a soft brush.
- Step 4: Once cleaned, return the filter and the drain hose.
Samsung washing machines come with pump filters — also known as debris filters — that collect any pocket lint that slips into a laundry cycle. It prevents debris from getting into the drain system and blocking it.
If you find yourself missing a key in your recent laundry load but don’t find it caught in the door gasket, chances are it got trapped in the pump filter!
This part is usually located on the bottom corner of front loader washers — shaped like a tiny rectangular cover!
The pump filter also drains the water from the main drum, so you’ll find a tiny hose with a cap next to it. This hose needs to be drained manually to avoid leakage.
| Quick Tip: If you recently ran a cycle that uses hot water (including Self Clean), the water in the pump filter will be hot as well. Allow the water to cool down for an hour or so before draining the pump filter. |
Step 1: Open the pump filter.
As we’ve mentioned above, the pump filter is a rectangular-shaped cover on the bottom corner of the appliance.
On most Samsung washing machine models, you only need to press on and release the door to open it. But if this doesn’t work for your machine, you’ll need a coin, a card, a flathead screwdriver, or any other material of the same slim shape to pry it open.
Afterward, get a towel and dish ready. Before you proceed to the next step, lay the towel directly below the pump filter — ideally below the drain hose.
Place the dish there as well. We recommend using a relatively deep dish — the more water it can hold, the better!
Step 2: Remove the cap from the drain hose and drain the water.
With your towel and dish now in place, grab the drain hose and pull it out facing upwards.
Remove the cap from the drain hose, and before you turn it downwards, hold the dish nearer to the mouth of the hose.
Water will start pouring out of the hose as soon as you make it face downwards. When your dish is ready to overflow, simply put the cap back on the hose and empty the dish, then return to draining the hose.
Repeat this process until no more water is coming out of the hose.
Step 3: Remove the filter and clean it with a soft brush.
Once all the water has drained, remove the pump filter. You can do this by pushing it in and turning its knob counterclockwise, and then pulling it out from its housing.
If the filter is airtight, use a little amount of elbow grease to loosen it.
Clean out the debris or lint buildup in the filter. You can do this by hand or by shaking it out, but if some lint refuses to budge, don’t hesitate to use a soft brush to remove them.
Clean out the housing as well, also with a soft bristle brush.
Step 4: Once cleaned, return the filter and the drain hose.
Once you’ve ensured that everything is clean, push the filter back into its housing and twist it clockwise to secure it. You won’t hear a clicking sound to know if it’s securely locked in place, but be sure to double-check if it’s as airtight as when you removed it.
Afterward, put the drain hose back into its respective housing, and then close the pump filter cover — and you’re done!
| Quick Tip: The pump filter can hold more lint and debris than you’d think, so it’s fine to clean it out once every month. Ideally, however, we recommend draining out after 40 washes, especially if you’re running heavy-duty laundry cycles. |
How to Clean Samsung Washing Machine Detergent Drawer
To clean your Samsung washing machine’s detergent drawer:
- Step 1: Pull the drawer all the way.
- Step 2: Remove the dispensers to rinse them with warm water.
- Step 3: Clean the drawer opening as well.
- Step 4: Place the drawers and dispensers back.
Putting too much detergent every cycle in the detergent drawer might cause blockage and impede proper dispensing. If you leave this matter unattended for too long, it will also cause mold to form in this part of your Samsung washing machine.
Because of this, we recommend wiping and rinsing the dispenser drawer after each cycle, and performing a deep clean — much like Self Cleaning the washer drum — once every month.
Cleaning this part may also vary depending on the model of washer you use, so be sure to consult your user manual before proceeding.
In general, though, here’s how you can deep clean your Samsung washing machine’s detergent drawer:
Step 1: Pull the drawer all the way.
A Samsung washing machine’s detergent drawer is one of the easiest things to open in the appliance. You don’t have to put pressure on anything before taking it out; you can simply pull it out, and it slides out of the housing freely!
Once you pull this part all the way, you can either push in on each side and tug it towards you to completely remove it — if you’re using a front load washer — or you can just tip it up, if you’re using a top load washer.
Afterward, get ready for a thorough scrubbing down!
Step 2: Remove the dispensers to rinse them with warm water.
Once you’ve removed the detergent drawer from its housing, lift the detergent dispensers — the ones where you put your detergent for each cycle — to take them out.
The more cycles you ran before you clean this part out, the more residue you’ll notice accumulated, especially in the farther corners of the dispenser.
You can dissolve these residues by dipping the dispensers in a tub of hot water. Afterward, use a soft-bristled brush to scrub them clean, making sure to get the corners where you notice the residue building up.
Note that you don’t have to use soap to clean them — warm water is enough!
Step 3: Clean the drawer opening as well.
Detergent buildup doesn’t stop at the dispensers. Sometimes, detergent fails to reach your laundry load because they get stuck in the drawer opening.
Using a microfiber cloth or a soft-bristled, non-metallic brush, scrub the detergent drawer opening. Make sure to get as far back into the drawer as you can reach.
Step 4: Place the drawers and dispensers back.
Once all is done, you can put the dispensers back in place, and then slide the drawer back in — easy as one, two, three!
| Quick Tip: If any mold buildup is already present on this part, use a gentle abrasive to clean it out. Warm water is essential in cleaning out the mold, afterwards, you can use baking soda paste or vinegar if your user manual says it’s safe to use on your washer model. |
Signs That Your Samsung Washing Machine Needs Cleaning
Your Samsung washing machine needs cleaning if any of these signs are present:
- The washer is giving off a foul odor.
- Freshly washed clothes smell like mold.
- There is visible mold inside the drum.
- The Self Clean symbol is illuminated on the display panel.
Ideally, we recommend performing a quick cleaning, particularly on the detergent drawers after every cycle to avoid mold buildup.
That’s not to say other parts of your washer aren’t prone to mold accumulation though — mold and mildew typically form where detergent or fabric softener residue often get trapped, so even the bottom corners of your washer drum are susceptible to it.
Dark environments and warm temperatures also contribute to faster mold buildup, that’s why you’ll often find them in corners.
But while mold is your washer’s stinking enemy, you shouldn’t wait for it to appear before you start cleaning! We recommend deep cleaning your entire appliance once a month to keep it shiny as new.
If you don’t have much free time, though, here’s what to watch out for so you know it’s time to give your Samsung washing machine a good scrubbing:
1. The washer is giving off a foul odor.
If your Samsung washing machine smells musty and stale every time you open its door, it’s likely that mold has already accumulated in parts of the drum.
If you leave this odor neglected for too long, it’s going to spread onto your clothes — which brings us to our next point!
2. Freshly washed clothes smell like mold.
If your freshly laundered clothes barely smell like your detergent or fabric softener, it might be because you didn’t put enough, sure — but if there’s an unpleasant scent mixed into them, then you best believe that your appliance has mold growing in it!
If the smell is coming from inside the drum, running a cycle with a small amount of bleach on it might dispel the odor. But if the mold is inside the detergent drawer, you’d best use a mild abrasive instead.
3. There is visible mold inside the drum.
This one is pretty self-explanatory; when you see mold buildup anywhere on your Samsung washing machine, you have to get rid of it immediately.
Mold can be harmful to your health and cause allergic reactions, so you’ll want to remove them before they can spread to your clothes.
An often neglected part of your Samsung washing machine that you might forget to check is the bottom of the drum. Remember: mold can easily grow in dark, moist places, and the bottom of the drum is an ideal place for it.
When you perform a deep cleaning on your washer, don’t forget to check under there!
| Quick Tip: When you notice mold growing inside the drum, run a Spin-only cycle (like in Self Clean mode) and add bleach. After that cycle, run a Rinse+Spin session to rinse off the bleach, then air dry your Samsung washing machine. |
The Self Clean symbol is illuminated on the display panel.
To reiterate, some models can display a signal for when you need to activate Self Clean mode. When you see a cylinder-shaped symbol glowing on the display panel, don’t ignore it!
Unlike door errors, your washer will still run even if you don’t address it immediately. But keep in mind that it’s a signal for a Self Clean session due soon, and it’s best to clean your appliance at the soonest opportunity to avoid wearing it down.
Samsung Washing Machine Maintenance Tips
To keep your Samsung washing machine in good condition, you should:
- Clean the appliance’s surface.
- Run a Self Clean cycle monthly.
- Clean the pump filter.
- Inspect the gasket for debris.
- Clean the detergent drawer.
- Open the detergent drawer between cycles.
- Run a hot-water-only cycle monthly.
To recap all our advice and recommendations in this article, here are a few tips to make sure that your Samsung washing machine stays in its best possible condition:
Clean the appliance’s surface.
For all our warnings against mold and mildew growing inside your Samsung washing machine, please don’t forget to take care of the appliance’s exterior as well!
Detergent spillage — or even residue — on the unit’s surface, especially on or against the door, can dry pretty quickly and leave a deep stain mark. This can put a permanent blemish on your appliance.
Immediately wipe any spillage or residue that touches the surface, and perform spot-cleaning after you use the machine. Cleaning the entire exterior can be performed once a month.
Run a Self Clean cycle monthly.
You can consider a Self Clean cycle as deep-cleaning your Samsung washing machine. It’s always better to initiate this manually rather than wait for your appliance to remind you.
That said, a monthly session is enough for it — maybe twice a month, if your laundry loads are particularly heavy. But excessive deep cleaning may overwork your machine, not to mention, it’s not exactly energy cost-effective.
On average, you’ll want to put your Samsung washer on Self Clean mode after 20 washes on a top-loading washing machine, and 40 washes on a front-loading washing machine.
Clean the pump filter.
Ideally, you’d want to drain the water from the pump filter after every cycle, but cleaning the debris filter can be done at least once a month — unless it caught particularly large debris, then you’d have to immediately remove it.
Keep an eye out for leaking below the machine — that’s usually a clue if you need to clear out the pump filter outside its monthly cleaning schedule.
Inspect the gasket for debris.
Lint or debris that doesn’t make it to the pump filter typically gets caught in the rubber seal. When your Samsung washing machine’s gasket is damaged or has otherwise caught an obstructing item, your appliance will not function properly.
Regularly inspecting the rubber seal is a must, but we also recommend minding the placement of your laundry to avoid lint getting caught in the door.
The washer tosses your clothes about, so be sure to place them as far away from the door as you can before starting a wash cycle!
Clean the detergent drawer.
After every washing cycle, check the detergent drawer for any residue that didn’t make it to your laundry load. Wiping it clean with a damp cloth is enough to do the trick, so it’s not too time-consuming.
Remember to wash it with warm water during your deep cleaning sessions, though! And get the drawer housing as well — detergent residue can slip into it sometimes, so it’s as susceptible to mold buildup as the drawer itself.
Open the detergent drawer between cycles.
Airing out the detergent drawer in between cycles can help prevent mold buildup. You’re essentially exposing this area to light and airing out any moisture that might have gathered.
Do the same for the drum door as well. Leaving them open for 5 to 10 minutes before loading in another batch of laundry is enough preventive measure.
Run a hot-water-only cycle monthly.
Finally, make sure to run a hot-water-only cycle at least once a month. Essentially, the Self Clean mode can do this, but we recommend running one outside your monthly self-cleaning if you always run a cold cycle.
The best way to do this is to run a steam cycle for certain articles of clothing — wool, cashmere, and silk, for example. Nevertheless, you can run a steam cycle on just about any type of fabric that can melt.
It’s beneficial for both the machine and your clothes!
The steam can relax the fabric of your clothes so you won’t have to iron them as much. It also makes your clothes more efficiently absorb water to avoid looking all wrinkled when they come out of the drum.
And there you have it!
Cleaning your Samsung washing machine is a lot of work, we know — but it’s work that’ll guarantee your appliance to last longer and perform as effectively as when you first bought it.
Letting mold accumulate in the unit can pose harm to both the appliance and your household. In comparison, maintaining its condition will prove less costly in the long run — besides, it’s all just wiping down parts of it, really!
With that in mind, we hope you never miss a deep-cleaning session for your washer again!
