To clean a washing machine, run the cleaning cycle your manual names (often called Tub Clean or Self Clean) with the cleaner it allows, wipe the door gasket and detergent drawer, clean the pump filter on a front-loader, then leave the door open to dry. LG says every 30 uses; Samsung Canada says about monthly.
PCBy the Pixl Canada install team. Checked October 31, 2026. 6 min read.
- What LG, Samsung and Whirlpool say
- Front-load steps with the pump filter
- Schedule by part
- What a new pair costs to install
- Run the cleaning cycle your manual names, with the cleaner it allows.
- Brands disagree on bleach, so read your manual first.
- Wipe the gasket, clean the drawer and empty the pump filter.
- Leave the door and drawer open between washes.
- If it is time to replace, Pixl installs a pair from $110.
What do the manufacturers actually say?
They do not agree, and that matters most for bleach. Read what your brand names before you buy a cleaner.
| Brand | Cleaning cycle | Cleaner named | Door afterwards |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG | Tub Clean after every 30 uses or when tcL shows; hot water held at 60 C | Oxygen-based cleaner. Avoid chlorine-based and acidic products | Open door and drawer to dry |
| Samsung (Canada) | Self Clean or Self Clean+ about monthly | Liquid chlorine bleach in the detergent compartment, not the drum | Leave door and drawer open |
| Whirlpool | Clean Washer cycle on models that have it | affresh tablet: in the drum on a front-loader, in the water of a top-loader | Leave door ajar or lid open |
Health Canada says: never mix any cleaning product with household bleach. Bleach with vinegar or ammonia can release toxic gases such as chloramine. Use one product, ventilate, and follow the label.
How do you clean a front-load washer?
- Empty the drum. Check the folds of the gasket for socks, coins and hair clips.
- Run the cleaning cycle. Use the cycle and the cleaner your manual lists. Start it right away and let it finish.
- Wipe the gasket. Pull the rubber seal back, wipe inside the folds with a soft cloth and warm water with mild soap, then dry it completely.
- Clean the detergent drawer. Slide it out, rinse the inserts in warm water, brush off residue, clean the recess and dry everything.
- Empty the pump filter. Open the low access panel, set a towel and a shallow container underneath, let hot water cool, drain the small hose, twist the filter counterclockwise, remove lint and coins, refit it and close the panel.
- Dry it out. Leave the door and the drawer open. This is the step that prevents the smell.
Is yours past saving?
A new washer and dryer installs from $110 a pair. Send the models and a photo of the hookups.
What is different on a top-load washer?
| Task | Front-load | Top-load |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning cycle | Tub Clean, Self Clean or Clean Washer; hot | Same idea; cleaner goes in the water or the dispenser per the manual |
| Seal to wipe | Rubber door gasket (the usual trouble spot) | Lid, rim and dispenser |
| Pump filter | Usually behind a low access panel | Not usual; see your manual |
| Drying | Door ajar, drawer open | Lid open until dry |
How often should you clean each part?
| Part | How often | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Door and drawer | Leave open after every wash | LG, Samsung and Whirlpool all say so |
| Door, gasket and detergent area | Wipe weekly | Samsung Canada |
| Tub-clean cycle | After every 30 uses (LG) or about monthly (Samsung) | Manufacturer pages; your manual decides |
| Pump filter | About monthly on front-loaders | Samsung Canada |
| Detergent drawer and filters | Every 1 to 3 months | Samsung Canada |
What should you not do?
| Do not | Why |
|---|---|
| Pour bleach straight into the drum | Samsung Canada says to put it in the detergent compartment only |
| Use chlorine or acid cleaners on an LG | LG warns they can discolour or corrode the tub |
| Mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia | Toxic gas risk (Health Canada) |
| Close the door tight after a wash | Moisture stays in the gasket and the smell comes back |
| Open the pump filter without a towel | The housing holds water. Let hot water cool first |
Get the install price from a photo
Models and a photo of the hookups. Fixed price before you book.
Buying a new washer? Pixl installs the pair for $110
Pixl Canada connects the washer to the water and drain, the dryer to its power or gas hookup and vent that are already there, levels both and tests them. You pay after the job. Pixl installs what you bought at any store.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Washer and dryer, side by side | $110 |
| Washer and dryer, stacked | $150 |
| Hot and cold washer hoses, if you need new ones | $30 |
| Dryer duct, if you need a new one | $20 |
Example, calculated from posted prices: a side-by-side pair with new hoses and a duct is $110 + $30 + $20 = $160; a stacked pair with the same parts is $150 + $30 + $20 = $200. New water, drain, power or gas lines go to a licensed trade first. See washer and dryer installation cost, washer and dryer dimensions and how to clean a dryer vent.
Your washer smells, leaves film or drains slowly and you want a safe routine, or you are about to replace the pair.
The washer leaks underneath, will not spin or shows an error that cleaning does not clear. That is a repair job for the manufacturer or an appliance technician.
Cleaning a washing machine: frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my washing machine?
Check your manual, because brands differ. LG says to run Tub Clean after every 30 uses or when the display shows tcL. Samsung Canada suggests a tub-cleaning cycle and a pump filter check about monthly, plus a weekly wipe of the door, gasket and detergent area.
Can I clean a washing machine with vinegar or bleach?
Only if your manual allows it. Samsung Canada tells you to pour liquid chlorine bleach into the detergent compartment for its Self Clean cycle, while LG says to avoid chlorine-based and acidic cleaners. Never mix bleach with vinegar or any other cleaning product.
Why does my front-load washer smell?
Moisture trapped in the rubber door gasket, the detergent drawer and the drum is the usual cause. Wipe the gasket folds, clean the drawer, run the tub-clean cycle and leave the door and drawer open between washes.
How do I clean the pump filter?
On many front-loaders, open the small access panel at the bottom, put a towel and a shallow container underneath, let hot water cool, unscrew the drain hose cap to drain it, twist the filter counterclockwise, remove lint and coins, then refit it. Check your manual for your model.
Does a top-load washer need cleaning too?
Yes. Run the cleaning cycle your manual names, wipe the lid, dispenser and rim, and leave the lid open until the inside is dry. Whirlpool’s affresh guidance for top-loaders says the same.
Is it OK to leave the washer door open?
Yes. LG, Samsung and Whirlpool all say to leave the door ajar, and the detergent drawer open, so the inside can dry. Keep small children and pets away from the open drum.
What is the black mould on my gasket?
It is residue and mould that grows in damp folds. Wipe it with warm water and mild soap, dry it fully and avoid chemicals your manual does not list. If the gasket is torn or the stain will not clear, contact the manufacturer.
Does Pixl repair washing machines?
Pixl installs washers and dryers: $110 side by side or $150 stacked, before tax. For a repair or a part, contact the manufacturer or an appliance technician.
Time for a new pair?
Send the models and a photo of the hookups. Fixed price before you book, pay after the job.
Washer and dryer installation
Installation price list
Clean a dryer vent
Washer and dryer dimensions
How to choose a washer and dryer
All installation guides
All installation services
Sources and method. Cycle names and intervals come from LG’s front-loader help page, Samsung Canada’s washer cleaning page and Whirlpool and affresh guidance; the bleach warning is from Health Canada’s advisory. Menu names and intervals change by model, so your manual overrides this page. Pixl prices are the posted prices on the appliance installation page, checked October 31, 2026; totals in the example are calculated by adding them. Pixl installs appliances and does not sell them.
About Pixl Canada. Pixl Canada is an installation company based in Edmonton, Alberta, serving cities across Canada with TV mounting, security cameras, appliance installation and smart home setup. Call or text (587) 899-7495. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm.