Quick Summary — Samsung Washer Cleaning
- Self Clean+: Run every 40 washes — empty drum, no detergent needed
- Gasket: Wipe with vinegar solution monthly — the main source of odour
- Dispenser drawer: Remove and rinse monthly
- Pump filter: Clean every 3 months — bottom front access panel
- Between washes: Leave door and dispenser drawer slightly open
Samsung washing machines — particularly front-load models — are excellent machines that require specific cleaning attention in a few areas unique to their design. The Self Clean+ cycle, the gasket geometry, and the pump filter location differ from other brands, and knowing exactly how to maintain each component will keep your Samsung washer odour-free and running efficiently.
This guide covers the complete Samsung washing machine cleaning routine — front-load specific, with notes on EcoBubble models and the SmartThings app drum clean notification.
Step-by-Step: Cleaning Your Samsung Washing Machine
Run the Self Clean+ Cycle
Press the Self Clean or Self Clean+ button on the control panel. The drum must be completely empty — no laundry inside. Do not add any detergent or cleaning product. Samsung's Self Clean+ cycle uses a combination of hot water, high-speed drum rotation, and soaking to clean biofilm, soap scum, and residue from the drum and inner tub surfaces. Cycle time ranges from 1 hour (lightly soiled) to 4 hours on models with extended Self Clean+.
Clean the Door Gasket — The Critical Step
This is the most important manual cleaning task on a Samsung front-load washer. Open the door and fold back the rubber gasket folds. You will find a trough at the bottom of the gasket — this is where lint, hair, detergent residue, and moisture pool. On Samsung models, the gasket folds can be deep and well-hidden. Use a cloth dampened with a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution to wipe all gasket surfaces thoroughly, pressing into every fold. For visible black mold, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub the mold away. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry with a towel.
Remove and Clean the Dispenser Drawer
Pull the detergent dispenser drawer straight out and then press the release tab (usually in the fabric softener compartment) to fully remove it. Rinse all three compartments — pre-wash, main wash, and softener — under warm running water. Use a toothbrush to scrub out hardened detergent deposits. Also clean the dispenser housing with a damp cloth — this is where mold frequently grows out of sight. Dry the drawer before reinserting.
Clean the Pump Filter — Samsung-Specific Location
Unlike some brands where the filter is harder to find, Samsung front-loaders have a clearly marked access panel at the bottom right of the front face. Open the panel (use a flat coin or screwdriver if needed). Inside you will find a small rubber drain hose and the pump filter cap. Place a shallow tray and several towels in front of the panel — residual water will drain out. Pull the small plug from the drain hose to release water, then slowly unscrew the filter cap counter-clockwise. Pull out the filter, rinse it, and remove any lint, hair, or debris. Screw the cap back in firmly — a loose filter cap causes water leaks.
Wipe the Control Panel and Exterior
Use a soft, barely damp cloth to wipe down the control panel, display, door, and cabinet. Avoid spraying any liquid directly onto the panel — on Samsung washers with digital displays and touch controls, excess moisture can cause button malfunctions. For stubborn smudges, use a cloth with a tiny amount of dish soap, then wipe dry immediately.
Samsung SmartThings App — Drum Clean Notification
If your Samsung washing machine is connected to the SmartThings app (available for most Samsung Wi-Fi enabled models), you can receive a push notification when it is time to run Self Clean+. The machine tracks your wash count and sends a reminder through the app — a useful feature that removes the guesswork from the cleaning schedule.
To enable this: connect your washing machine to the Samsung SmartThings app, go to the device settings, and enable drum clean notifications. You can also check the drum clean count from the app and run Self Clean+ remotely on compatible models.
Samsung Self Clean+ count reset: After completing a Self Clean+ cycle, the machine automatically resets the wash count and removes the drum clean reminder icon from the display. If the icon returns quickly, it likely means the count was not reset because the Self Clean+ cycle was not completed successfully — run it again with an empty drum.
EcoBubble Models — Same Cleaning Process
Samsung EcoBubble technology (found on many mid-range and premium Samsung front-loaders) mixes detergent, air, and water to create a foam that penetrates fabric faster at lower temperatures. This is a washing enhancement — it does not change the drum clean procedure. Run Self Clean+ and clean the gasket and filter exactly as described above. EcoBubble models may have slightly more detergent residue in the dispenser drawer and gasket area over time due to the foam generation, making the monthly cleaning routine particularly important.
How Often to Clean Each Part
- Self Clean+ cycle: Every 40 washes (Samsung's recommendation) or monthly for a typical household
- Door gasket: Wipe after every wash as a habit; deep clean with vinegar monthly
- Dispenser drawer: Remove and rinse monthly
- Pump filter: Every 3 months, or sooner if you wash pet items frequently
- Control panel and exterior: As needed
The most common Samsung washer odour cause: Leaving the door closed between washes. On Samsung front-load machines with their deep, well-sealed gasket, a closed door traps moisture in the drum and gasket for hours — creating ideal mold-growing conditions. Always leave the door ajar after the last wash of the day.
When to Call a Technician
Cleaning can prevent and eliminate most odour issues, but if you notice any of these, it is time for a professional:
- Water pooling under the machine after a cycle (pump filter leak or door seal failure)
- Error codes on the display: 4E (no water supply), 5E/5C (drain issue), DC (imbalance), UB (unbalanced)
- Drum making grinding or loud banging sounds during spin
- Machine stopping mid-cycle repeatedly
Our certified technicians specialize in Samsung appliance repair across the GTA. $89 diagnostic — waived with repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Samsung recommends running Self Clean+ every 40 washes. The machine tracks the wash count and will display a drum clean reminder icon on the control panel when it is time. You can also set up SmartThings app notifications on Wi-Fi enabled models.
No — run Self Clean+ with the drum completely empty. Do not add detergent, bleach, or any cleaning product. The cycle is specifically designed to work without additives. Adding bleach to Self Clean+ on Samsung models is not recommended and can damage internal components.
On Samsung front-load washers, the pump filter is located behind a small rectangular access panel at the bottom front of the machine, on the right side. Open the panel with a flat screwdriver or your fingernail, drain the residual water using the small drain hose, then unscrew the filter cap counter-clockwise to remove and clean the filter.
If odour persists after Self Clean+, the source is almost always the door gasket. Self Clean+ cleans the drum but does not scrub the gasket folds where mold accumulates. Manually scrub the gasket with a vinegar solution and an old toothbrush, paying special attention to the bottom folds where moisture pools. Also clean the dispenser drawer housing.
Samsung recommends against adding chlorine bleach directly to the drum for cleaning purposes. If you want to use a bleach solution for gasket mold, dilute it heavily (1 part bleach to 10 parts water), apply with a cloth, and rinse thoroughly. Do not run a cycle with bleach in the drum on most Samsung models.
EcoBubble is Samsung's technology that mixes air and water with detergent to create a bubbly foam that penetrates fabrics faster at lower temperatures. It does not change the drum clean process — Self Clean+ runs the same regardless of whether your model has EcoBubble. EcoBubble is a wash feature, not a cleaning feature.
Leave the washer door ajar and the dispenser drawer partially open after every wash. This allows the drum and gasket to dry out between uses, dramatically reducing mold growth. Remove laundry promptly after each cycle — leaving wet clothes in the drum is a leading cause of odour development.