What do you do when your washing machine isn’t cleaning your clothes?
You may think that you just need to add more detergent, run another cycle over and over again, or run a harder cycle.
The aforementioned solutions are simply a waste of time and resources as there could be an underlying problem with your washing machine.
Before you think about replacing your washing machine altogether, here are some quick fixes you can do at home!
Why isn’t your Samsung washing machine cleaning your clothes?
Your Samsung washing machine may not be cleaning your clothes due to detergent clogging the dispenser, the wrong detergent used, or overloading.
Other reasons include a malfunctioning drain pump, your washer drum that needs a deep cleaning, or something blocking the drain hose.
The next section will walk you through identifying the problem with your Samsung washing machine and help you troubleshoot it yourself.
How to Fix Samsung Washer That Isn’t Cleaning Clothes
The table below shows the possible reasons that your washer isn’t cleaning your laundry load and how to fix each problem.
| Problem | Solution |
| Detergent Clogging the Dispenser | • Fill a bucket or big mixing basin halfway with warm water and about a cup of vinegar. • Fill the dispenser halfway with the vinegar mixture. • Run a warm rinse cycle at least three times until the detergent residue is rinsed off. • Between rinses, add hot water to the dispenser. • Use a moist rag to wipe off any muck or filth that has not been cleaned off. |
| Using Incorrect Detergent | • Only use HE (High Efficiency) detergent. |
| Overloading | • Minimize overloading. • Sort clothes according to color and fabric type and wash them separately in different loads. |
| Malfunctioning Drain Pump | • Replace the pump. Start by determining the location of the pump filter. • Set a shallow dish and some towels beneath the washer to catch any water. • Open the access door and allow the water to drain into the dish by slowly turning the filter knob counterclockwise. • Remove the pump filter completely and clean away any debris. • Replace the filter and crank clockwise until it is securely fastened. • Close the access door and run a cycle to observe if the water drains. |
| Washer Drum Needs Cleaning | • Add two cups of vinegar to an empty washer and run a hot cycle. • Once the cycle is complete, clean all of the nooks and crannies inside and out using a sponge and toothbrush. • Do a final rinse with an empty cycle on hot. |
| Dirt or Small Items Blocking Drain Hose | • Detach the drain pipe and inspect it for any kinks or clogs. • If there is a blockage, try running hot (not boiling) water through the drain hose. • If the drain hose appears worn, it is high time to replace it so that the washer drains better. • If nothing is preventing the line, run warm water through the drain hose and reconnect it to the washer. |
Detergent Clogging the Dispenser
You may think that the more detergent you add, the cleaner your clothes come out. That isn’t the case here.
The dispenser in your washing machine could be clogged due to excessive use of powdered detergent. This will then leave detergent stains on your clothes that are difficult to remove no matter how many times you run a rinse cycle.
Solution: Clean the detergent dispenser.
- Step 1: Fill a bucket or big mixing basin halfway with warm water and about a cup of vinegar.
The acidity from the vinegar will help remove any soap scum.
- Step 2: Fill the dispenser halfway with the vinegar mixture.
- Step 3: Press the “warm rinse” option on the washing machine.
If your washing machine does not have a “warm rinse” option but “cool rinse”, you may press this instead.
- Step 4: Run at least three warm detergent rinses.
- Step 5: Between rinses, add hot water to the dispenser. This will help further break down any remaining detergent or fabric softener residue left inside the washer.
- Step 6: After draining the washer, use a moist rag to wipe off any muck or filth that has not been cleaned off.
| Quick Tip: • Never exceed the MAX line indicated on the detergent dispenser. Use as little detergent as possible per load of laundry. You only need enough to get the water sudsy. |
Using Incorrect Detergent
Using the wrong detergent for every load of laundry could leave detergent stains on your clothes.
The detergent residue that hasn’t been completely rinsed out may turn your soft wardrobe crunchy, scratchy, and uncomfortable to wear.
You may think that adding more detergent can fix this problem. But contrary to popular belief, the more detergent you use after a certain point, the dirtier your clothing gets.
Especially if you are using the wrong detergent, to begin with.
Solution: Only use HE (High Efficiency) detergent.
HE detergent is made from high-concentration, low-sudsing ingredients and is at least twice as concentrated as regular detergents.
A Samsung washer uses less water than a typical washing machine, so there is less water to dilute the detergent with. HE detergents are more concentrated so it breaks down in water faster.
Therefore, using an ample amount of HE detergent per laundry load should do the trick.
Avoid using “all-natural” ingredients such as baking soda or vinegar in place of regular detergent as these can cause more damage to the washing machine and clog the dispenser.
Overloading
You may think that stuffing your washer with the most clothes saves you detergent, water, and time, but it makes the washer less effective.
If you overfill the washer, the garments won’t be able to move around as easily, making it less likely to remove dirt and filth from all surfaces.
Solution: Minimize overloading.
- Step 1: Sort clothes according to color and fabric type.
- Step 2: Wash the sorted clothes separately in different loads.
Note that different fabrics and clothing textures may require harder or gentler wash cycles.
Make sure the clothes aren’t packed to the brim. The washing tub should just be around three-quarters of the way full.
Malfunctioning Drain Pump
When a drain pump filter is clogged, it can prevent water from draining and cause mildew growth on your garments.
Small items such as keys, jewelry, or bobby pins can get caught in the filter and interfere with the washer’s drainage, causing damage to the washer’s drain pump in the long run.
If you find that your drain pump isn’t filtering out the dirt from your clothes, then you should replace it.
Solution: Replace the drain pump.
- Step 1: Unplug the washing machine.
- Step 2: Determine the location of the pump filter. Typically, an access door is on the bottom of your washer for you to easily reach the drain pump (see your handbook for confirmation).
- Step 3: Set a shallow dish and some towels beneath the washer to catch any water.
- Step 4: Open the access door and allow the water to drain into the dish by slowly turning the filter knob counterclockwise.
- Step 5: Remove the pump filter and clean away any debris that has accumulated.
- Step 6: Replace the filter and crank clockwise until it is securely fastened.
- Step 7: Close the access door and run a cycle to observe if the water drains adequately.
Washer Drum Needs Cleaning
Although your washer may appear to be self-cleaning, The washer drum requires occasional deep cleaning to remove all of the dirt and detergent buildup that may accumulate over time.
Solution: Do a deep clean on your washing machine’s washer drum.
You’ll need the following materials to clean your washer’s tub:
- Distilled white vinegar
- Multi-purpose sponge
- A used toothbrush
Before starting the deep clean on your washer, make sure that there are no articles of clothing left inside the washer drum. Then, do the following:
- Step 1: Add two cups of vinegar to an empty washer and run a hot cycle.
The vinegar will eradicate microorganisms as well as any mildew smells.
- Step 2: Combine one part vinegar and four parts warm water in a bucket.
- Step 3: Clean all of the nooks and crannies inside and out with your vinegar solution using your sponge and toothbrush.
Include the detergent dispenser, fabric softener dispenser, and the inside of the washer door.
- Step 4: Do a final rinse with an empty cycle on hot.
You should clean out your washing machine every six months.
Dirt or Small Items Blocking Drain Hose
Another reason your Samsung washer isn’t cleaning clothes is if your washing machine tub isn’t draining properly. This could be due to an obstruction in your drain hose.
This can happen when you wash high-shedding items like rugs or small things like children’s socks.
Solution: Clean out the blockages from the drain hose.
- Step 1: Detach the drain pipe and inspect it for any kinks or clogs.
- Step 2: If there is a blockage, try running hot (not boiling) water through the drain hose.
If the water doesn’t clear the blockage, use a thin pipe to push the obstruction through.
- Step 3: If the drain hose appears worn, it’s time to replace it so that the washer drains better.
- Step 4: If nothing is preventing the line, run warm water through the drain hose and reconnect it to the washer.
Having to handwash your clothes because your washer isn’t doing it for you is not the best way to go around this problem.
Hopefully, the guide above helps you navigate through the issues that could prevent your washing machine from washing your clothes.
Now you can rest easy and let your Samsung washer do its thing!
