How to use self clean on samsung washer
Sunday, May 21, 2023
How to use self clean on samsung washer
There are two things that never seem to get done on the to-do list: washing dishes and doing laundry. When you throw another pile of clothes in the washing machine, you notice something that smells bad. It's not laundry, even though it belongs to your teenage son. The smell is musty and slightly rancid.
It never really makes sense for things to clean other things to be self-cleaning. Even your Samsung front load washing machine needs to be cleaned on occasion to get rid of left behind odors. Luckily, Samsung front load washers often have a self-clean mode so you don't have to do a thing!
Is it really that easy? Yes. However, this is not always a guarantee, and you may find that manually cleaning the washer once a year will keep it in even better working order (not to mention smelling better). Let's take a look at the simplicity of the self-clean mode and how best to manually clean your Samsung front load washer.
Self-Cleaning Mode
Samsung front loaders have preset buttons to help clean different types of laundry. Self-cleaning is one of these modes. Samsung recommends running the self-cleaning mode every 40 charges. For front load washing machines (some models have LED lights to let you know the wash time). The manual will just ask you to press the self-cleaning button and let the machine do all the hard work. Depending on the model you have, it may also be called Pure Cycle. One cycle lasts from 1 to 4 hours, so you can set it and forget it. However, the owners suggest some tips to help the self-cleaning mode.
Put some bleach in the bleach drawer. This will add an additional cleaning agent to the boiling water the machine will use.
After the cycle, clean the tub with a paper towel to remove any sand residue.
Consider running an additional rinse cycle after cleaning the drum.
Of course, you should leave the door open when not using the washing machine to avoid unnecessary moisture.
For models so equipped, clean the lint pad, which can contain all kinds of debris on the filter.
Remove the detergent dispensers and run them under warm running water. Any buildup will need to be brushed away. Do this before the wash cycle to help keep it clean.
Keep in mind that running a self-clean cycle is recommended by Samsung. It uses less water than running a whole cleaning cycle, so it is more energy efficient.
Manual Cleaning
Many machines do not have a self-clean mode, but not to worry. Manual cleaning is great every time you run the self-cleaning mode or every six months to keep everything looking its best. A clean machine doesn't get moldy and keeps your clothes looking fresh all the time. When you have mold in your washing machine, it can transfer odors and spores to your clothes. There are several work items to deal with, so treat each item as its own mini-project.
This part of the washing machine is often the dirtiest visually. Over time, fabric softeners and detergents build up in these compartments. It looks rough, it can build up bacteria and clog the dispenser, so your clothes aren't getting all the liquid detergent they should be.
Remove each component from the dispenser and run it under warm running water. Use a toothbrush to clean the dry stuff and make it look like new. If there is detergent left in the other compartment, use water and a toothbrush to remove the detergent. Use a paper towel to scrape off any leftover pieces before placing the pieces back in the drawer.
The rubber tube that surrounds the washer hole is the gasket. This keeps the door closed and seals it. This is especially important for cleaning as it is often overlooked by the self-cleaning mode and that is where things often accumulate. This is where mold grows and dirty seals can cause problems with door seals.
First, pull the sealing cap. Here you'll find hair, stuffed animals and all sorts of things you might not want to think about. Using a handheld vacuum, vacuum any debris between the frames. Then use a toothbrush or paper towel to remove trapped debris. This is usually where mold will grow, so be sure to look for dark spots that indicate mold.
Here's the tricky part: cleaning the seal. Wipe it with a mixture of water and vinegar. Be sure not to leave excess water in the joint. If you see mold (or it's your first time doing this and it's a little uncomfortable), soak a few paper towels in white vinegar or bleach to water in a ratio of 1:10. Tuck tissues into joints and leave them on for ten minutes or more. These are two effective methods to kill mold and mildew. Be sure to clean the joint after the paper towel has settled.
This is the self-cleaning part of the washing machine. If you can't run the self-cleaning mode or want to do it manually, start by adding baking soda to the washer drum. Baking soda cleans the tub, acts as an abrasive to absorb detergent and oil, removes odors and gives the metal tub a shiny shine. How much you add depends on how you feel, but the whole box won't harm the machine (and baking soda isn't expensive).
The next step would be to add white vinegar to the bleach container. While bleach is a good choice for self-cleaning, vinegar is better for manual cleaning because it reacts with the baking soda. Again, white vinegar is a versatile and inexpensive cleaner. The vinegar will remove stains and odors and reacts with the baking soda to form a foam and help remove debris.
Make sure the setting you use for your cleaning cycle is as full and as hot as possible. Also, run an additional rinse cycle to make sure you dissolve any baking soda that may be left over from the first rinse cycle.
After the cycle is complete, just like the self-cleaning mode, you will need to wipe off any residue with a clean paper towel or cloth. Leave the door open to let the air dry.
The lint trap is usually located in the base of the washing machine behind the control panel. When you take it out, be prepared to squeeze out any remaining water. Keeping a few towels nearby will help with this. Samsung recommends doing this after cleaning the washing machine, as leftover debris will fall here.
The water will be hot whether you clean it manually or use the self-cleaning mode, so let the water cool for an hour before using it. By turning the lid, the remaining water from the washing process will flow out. You can then turn the filter, normally this is done counterclockwise. You will probably see a film of hair and lint on the filter screen. Like you did with the dispenser, rinse with warm water, using a toothbrush to remove dirt. Once the filter is clean, put it back in place and close everything.
The final step in a thorough cleaning is to treat the outside of your washing machine. After all, you want it to look as good as it smells. The best solution for cleaning the outside of the washing machine is a soft cloth and mild detergent. In the manual, we recommend that you keep the bottles and cleaning supplies at the top of the washing machine. This will prevent any scratches from forming and tarnishing the paint. Once the paint is scratched, rust will follow.
Wipe the outside of the machine with dry chamois leather. If detergent or other substance spills onto the front or top of the machine, use water or a very mild detergent. Windex is ideal for the front of windows to remove fingerprints and scratches.