To clean an LG washing machine, run Tub Clean with a washer cleaner, wipe the gasket and drawer, and leave the door ajar to dry fully.
Done right, routine care makes your washer smell fresh, wash better, and last longer. This guide shows the exact steps, safe products, and a rhythm you can keep without fuss. You’ll see what to do monthly and what to do after heavy loads, plus fixes for odors, slime, and residue.
How to Clean an LG Washing Machine: Step-By-Step
Before you start, empty the drum. Remove any laundry, coins, and visible debris. Then pick the method below that matches your model and the supplies you have on hand. The steps cover both front-load and top-load units.
Run Tub Clean Or A Hot Maintenance Cycle
Most LG models include a Tub Clean program that heats water and adds extra agitation to flush residue. Add a washing machine cleaner that lists compatibility with high-efficiency washers. If your model lacks Tub Clean, select the hottest heavy cycle with no laundry, and add the cleaner directly to the drum.
Wipe The Door Gasket And Glass
Open the door and pull back the rubber seal. Use a soft cloth dampened with warm soapy water to lift film from the folds. Target lint and trapped hair. Rinse the cloth often. Dry the gasket and glass so no moisture sits in creases.
Clean The Detergent Drawer
Slide the drawer out. If the tray lifts free, soak it in warm water for ten minutes, then scrub residue from corners and siphon caps. Clean the cavity with a small brush and a damp cloth. Dry the parts and re-insert fully.
De-Funk The Drain Pump Filter (Front Load)
Open the small access door at the front bottom edge. Place a shallow pan and towel under the drain hose. Pull the cap, drain slowly, then twist out the filter. Rinse away lint and grit. Refit the filter snugly and close the cap.
Freshen The Tub Between Washes
After every laundry day, leave the door open a few inches and pull the drawer out slightly so air can move. Wipe splashes from the gasket and inner glass. These tiny habits cut odors more than any one-time deep clean.
Maintenance Rhythm And Safe Products
Below is a simple cadence that keeps buildup from starting. If your washer already smells musty, run Tub Clean weekly for three weeks and follow the rest of the steps here.
| Task | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Run Tub Clean with washer cleaner | Monthly or when “tcL” appears | No laundry in the drum |
| Wipe gasket and glass | After each laundry day | Warm soapy cloth; dry after |
| Clean detergent drawer | Monthly | Soak, scrub corners, dry fully |
| Drain pump filter (front load) | Every 2–3 months | Drain first; re-seat tightly |
| Run hot cycle after muddy loads | As needed | Empty drum; add cleaner |
| Leave door and drawer ajar | After each use | Improves airflow and drying |
| Wipe exterior and control panel | Monthly | Soft cloth; no abrasives |
| Check hoses for kinks or leaks | Quarterly | Replace if cracked or bulging |
Taking An LG Washer From Musty To Mint
Odor comes from residue, standing water, or light mold growth on damp surfaces. The fix is simple: heat, flow, and a cleaner that breaks down soil. Run a maintenance cycle hot, flush the filter, and dry hidden spots. Then keep air moving between loads and measure detergent so suds don’t linger.
Which Cleaner Works Best?
Use a machine-safe cleaner or oxygen-based product made for washers. Many users reach for vinegar, but frequent use can be harsh on rubber parts. A washer-specific cleaner is designed to rinse clean and not attack seals. Never mix vinegar with bleach. That combo creates toxic gas.
Can You Use Chlorine Bleach?
On some regional pages, LG favors oxygen-based cleaners and warns against chlorine bleach inside the tub. Other guides mention bleach in limited amounts on a Tub Clean cycle. The safest path is to follow the sticker on your unit and your local LG instructions. If you ever use bleach in a maintenance cycle, dose lightly, ventilate, and never pair it with vinegar or acids.
Front-Load LG Models: Deep Clean Details
The rubber door seal traps lint, hair, and splashes. Fold it back, wipe the channel, and dab the drain holes dry. If spots remain, make a paste with baking soda and a few drops of water, spread it on the stain, wait ten minutes, then wipe and rinse. Finish by running a short rinse cycle empty. Dry the rim.
Detergent Drawer And Dispenser Path
Hard water can leave crust in the dispenser path. After soaking the tray, brush the cavity with a small bottle brush. If your tray has a siphon cap, pop it off and rinse the tube. Reinstall parts fully so the next cycle draws water properly.
Drain Pump Filter Access
That little filter collects coins, pet hair, and grit. Place a tray under the access panel. Open the drain hose cap slowly to avoid spills. When water stops, twist the filter counter-clockwise, rinse it under the tap, and check the impeller for obstructions. Refit, then run a quick drain and spin to confirm no leaks.
Close Variation: Cleaning An LG Washer The Right Way
The phrase “how to clean an lg washing machine” gets tossed around a lot, but success boils down to a handful of habits. Keep the door and drawer ajar between uses. Pick measured doses of HE detergent. Use the maintenance program with a washer cleaner. Keep the filter clear. That’s the whole game.
Top-Load LG Models: What’s Different
Top-loaders move air differently and don’t have a front gasket, but the maintenance rhythm is the same. Run Tub Clean or a hot cycle with no laundry and a washer cleaner. Lift the agitator cap if your model has one and check for trapped lint. Wipe the rim and underside of the lid where droplets sit.
Balance, Hoses, And Inlet Screens
If the tub shakes, make sure the feet are level and all four pads touch the floor. Check supply hoses for kinks and the inlet screens for grit that slows fill speed. A slow fill can leave detergent behind, which feeds odor. Shut off water, remove the hoses, and clean the little mesh screens gently.
Safety And Product Care
Good cleaning hinges on good safety. Ventilate when you use bleach products. Wear gloves if your skin is sensitive. Never mix chemicals. Store cleaners out of reach of kids and pets. Read labels and your owner’s manual, then match the dosage to the product and the cycle you pick.
Many folks search “how to clean an lg washing machine” and end up stacking products. Skip that. Use one cleaner per run, keep the room aired out, and give the tub time to dry. Open a window or run a fan while the cycle runs. Rinse any drips right away so residue doesn’t bake on the next hot cycle.
Water, Heat, And Detergent Basics
Residue builds when wash loads run cold with too much detergent. Measure detergent by load size and water hardness. Run hot cycles once a month to clear film. Dry the tub after a day of back-to-back loads so moisture doesn’t linger overnight.
Troubleshooting: Odors, Slime, And Residue
Use this table to go straight from symptom to fix. Start with the quickest step, then work down the list until the issue clears.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Musty smell after wash | Damp gasket and drawer | Wipe and dry; run Tub Clean |
| Black specks on rubber | Mildew on seal folds | Baking soda paste; wipe dry |
| Residue on clothes | Too much detergent; cold cycles | Use HE dose; add a hot flush |
| Slow drain or “OE” error | Clogged pump filter | Clean filter; check hose |
| Drawer fills with water | Blocked dispenser path | Soak tray; brush cavity |
| Sour smell from top-load | Standing water under lid | Open lid to air out |
| Gray slime in drum | Biofilm from cool, soapy loads | Run hot cycle with cleaner |
Proof-Backed Tips That Save You Time
Two small tweaks make a big difference. First, dose detergent with a measuring cap, not a guess. Many homes pour double the HE amount, which leaves film that soaks up odor. Second, schedule a recurring Tub Clean on your calendar so it doesn’t slip.
Official guides back these habits. The LG Tub Clean guide sets the maintenance program and the cadence for musty units. For moisture control in tight spaces, the EPA mold guide explains airflow and drying basics that help stop mold from returning in laundry areas. Vent fans and open windows speed drying after laundry day loads easily.
What Not To Do
Don’t stack cleaners. Pick one method per cycle. Don’t mix bleach with vinegar or acids. Don’t scrub the gasket with harsh pads that nick the rubber. Don’t block the vent path by cramming the laundry room with boxes near the machine. Don’t close the door tight right after a wash day.
Simple Checklist You Can Print
Monthly
- Run Tub Clean with a washer cleaner
- Soak and scrub the detergent drawer
- Rinse the dispenser path and siphon cap
- Open and clean the drain pump filter
Weekly
- Wipe the gasket, inner glass, and lid
- Leave the door and drawer ajar overnight
- Measure detergent by load size
After Muddy Or Sandy Loads
- Run an empty hot maintenance cycle
- Wipe the tub and gasket dry
Why This Method Works
Heat dissolves film. Airflow dries hidden spots. A washer-safe cleaner breaks down residue that plain water misses. Measured detergent prevents new buildup. Small, steady habits beat any single deep clean. Follow them, and your LG washer stays fresh and ready.