How To Use Tub Clean On Lg Washing Machine

How To Use Tub Clean On Lg Washing Machine: Stop Stinking Up Your Laundry Room. Seriously.

Look, your LG washing machine probably smells. Don’t lie to yourself. That damp, musty funk? It’s not your delicates. It’s the tub. And if you don’t know how to use Tub Clean on LG washing machine, you’re just spreading mildew around your house. It’s disgusting. Honestly, most people ignore this. They just keep washing clothes in a petri dish.

The thing is, these machines recirculate water. They get gunked up with soap scum, lint, and god knows what else. Bacteria love that. They have parties in there. Then your clothes come out smelling worse than they went in. I’ve seen people spend hundreds on special detergents, fabric softeners, you name it. Waste of money. You need to clean the damn machine first.

I remember back in ’09, my sister-in-law bragged about her new LG. Top of the line. Six months later, everything she washed stunk. She was blaming the detergent, the water pressure, the phase of the moon. I finally went over, popped open the detergent drawer, and nearly gagged. It was a biohazard. Turns out, she never used the Tub Clean cycle. Never. Paid $1200 for a glorified mildew dispenser. Pathetic.

Why Bother With Tub Clean? Are You Kidding Me?

This isn’t rocket science. It’s basic hygiene for appliances that handle your skivvies. Ignoring it leads to:

• Persistent Odors: The obvious one. That lingering stink that won’t go away.
• Reduced Efficiency: Gunk buildup means the machine doesn’t clean as well. Less effective washes. More re-washes. More wasted time and energy.
• Potential Mold/Mildew Growth: This is the nasty part. Mold spores can get everywhere. Not good for your health. Or your nose.
• Damage to Clothing: Some residues can stain or degrade fabrics over time. Ruined clothes. Great.

How To Use Tub Clean On LG Washing Machine: The Actual Steps

LG makes it pretty simple, honestly. Most of their modern machines have a dedicated ‘Tub Clean’ or ‘Eco Tub Clean’ cycle. It’s a hot, high-water-level, long wash designed to scour out the gunk. You just gotta use it. And use it right. Don’t just push the button and walk away.

Front Loaders: The Usual Suspects

For front-loaders, this is usually front and center on the control panel. Look for a button labeled ‘Tub Clean’ or ‘Eco Tub Clean’. If you don’t see it, dig out that manual. Seriously, that dusty booklet isn’t just for show.

Step 1: Empty the Drum. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised. No clothes, no towels, nothing. Just an empty, sad drum.

Step 2: Add Your Cleaner. This is where people screw up. You have options. You can use a commercial washing machine cleaner like Affresh or Tide Washing Machine Cleaner. Or, if you’re feeling old-school and cheap, use bleach or vinegar. DO NOT MIX BLEACH AND VINEGAR. EVER. YOU’LL CREATE TOXIC GAS.

• Bleach Method: Pour about 1/2 cup of liquid chlorine bleach directly into the detergent dispenser drawer (the main compartment, not the pre-wash).
• Vinegar Method: Pour about 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the empty drum. Yes, the drum itself.
• Commercial Cleaner: Follow the product instructions. Usually, it’s a tablet or powder you put directly in the drum or dispenser.

Step 3: Select and Run the Cycle. Find that ‘Tub Clean’ button. Press it. Start the machine. Let it do its thing. This cycle is usually long – like 2-4 hours. Don’t interrupt it. Let the hot water and cleaner do their magic.

Step 4: Wipe Down Afterwards. Once the cycle is done, open the door. Use a clean cloth (maybe an old towel you don’t care about) to wipe down the inside of the door seal. Get into those nooks and craies. Check the detergent drawer too; it might have buildup. Wipe it out.

Step 5: Air It Out. Leave the door slightly ajar after cleaning. Let it air dry completely. Prevents new moisture from settling in.

Top Loaders: A Bit Different, Same Stink Problem

Top-loaders are similar, but the cycle might be named slightly differently or integrated into a ‘Normal’ or ‘Heavy Duty’ cycle with specific instructions.

Step 1: Empty the Tub. Duh. Nothing in it.

Step 2: Add Hot Water. Fill the machine with the hottest water setting available. Use the largest load size setting too. You want maximum water coverage for the cleaning agent.

Step 3: Add Your Cleaner.

• Bleach Method: Add 1 cup of liquid chlorine bleach to the water.
• Vinegar Method: Add 4 cups of white vinegar to the water.
• Commercial Cleaner: Follow package directions. Typically, you’d add it directly to the drum.

Step 4: Run a Full Wash Cycle. Let the machine complete a full normal or heavy-duty wash cycle. Let it agitate and drain.

Step 5: Run an Extra Rinse Cycle. Do a second rinse cycle. This helps ensure all the cleaning residue is flushed out. You don’t want your next load of whites smelling like bleach or vinegar.

Step 6: Wipe and Air Out. Similar to front-loaders, wipe down the inside of the lid and the agitator (if you have one). Leave the lid open to air dry completely.

How Often Should You Run Tub Clean?

This is crucial. Don’t be lazy. LG recommends ruing the Tub Clean cycle once every 1-3 months. If you do a lot of laundry, especially with kids or pets, lean towards the 1-month mark. If you’re a single person doing a load a week? Maybe stretch it to 3 months. But check for smells. Smells mean clean. Honestly, the first time I ran it on my old machine, the water that drained out looked like primordial soup. It was horrifying. And necessary.

Troubleshooting Common Tub Clean Issues

Sometimes it’s not straightforward. What if your LG doesn’t have a ‘Tub Clean’ button?

No Dedicated Tub Clean Button?

No problem. You can manually simulate it. Select the hottest water setting, the highest water level, and the longest cycle time available on your machine (often ‘Heavy Duty’ or ‘Bulky Items’). Add your chosen cleaner (bleach or vinegar as described above) and let it run its course.

My old Kenmore from 2005 didn’t have one. Had to do the manual dance. Worked fine. But honestly, if you’re buying a new machine and it doesn’t have a dedicated cycle? You’re buying the wrong machine. It’s 2024, people.

Stubborn Smells Persist?

Sometimes one clean isn’t enough. Or the gunk is really bad. If the smell lingers after the first cycle:

1. Repeat the Tub Clean cycle.
2. Consider using a stronger commercial cleaner.
3. Manually scrub the inside of the drum and the door seal with a paste of baking soda and water. Let it sit for 30 minutes before wiping clean.
4. Clean the drain pump filter. This is often overlooked. Check your manual for its location. It’s usually behind a small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Be prepared for some water to spill out. Clean out any lint and gunk. This filter is a common culprit for drainage issues AND smells.

I had a friend, bless her heart, whose LG kept smelling. Turns out, her cat loved to sleep on top of the dryer and shed like crazy. Lint was getting everywhere, including the washer’s filter. A quick clean-out and boom. Problem solved. The filter is a dirty little secret. Literally.

LG Washing Machine Tub Clean Cycle: A Cleaner’s Checklist

Here’s a quick rundown. Don’t get fancy. Just do it.

Task	Frequency	Notes
Run Tub Clean Cycle	Monthly (or every 30 washes)	Use bleach, vinegar, or commercial cleaner.
Wipe Door Seal & Drum Interior	After each Tub Clean cycle	Preventative wipe-down.
Clean Detergent Drawer	Monthly	Remove and rinse. Scrub if needed.
Clean Drain Pump Filter	Every 3-6 months	Critical for performance & smell. Expect water spillage.
Leave Door Ajar	Between washes	Promotes drying, inhibits mold.

That table? That’s your cheat sheet. Stick it on the fridge. Or the washer itself. Whatever. Just follow it. It’s not hard. But people make it hard by not doing it.

Final Thoughts: Stop the Stink!

Look, nobody wants to wash their clothes in a smelly machine. It defeats the whole purpose. Knowing how to use Tub Clean on LG washing machine is non-negotiable maintenance. It’s not a suggestion. It’s a requirement for clean laundry and a stink-free home. So, stop procrastinating. Run that cycle. Wipe it down. Your nose, your clothes, and your sanity will thank you. Seriously. Go do it now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to put detergent for an eco tub clean?

No, you don’t need regular laundry detergent for an Eco Tub Clean cycle. The ‘Eco’ part usually means it’s designed to be more efficient, but it still needs a cleaning agent. Use bleach, white vinegar, or a dedicated washing machine cleaner as described above. Regular detergent just adds more suds and potential residue without the targeted cleaning power needed for the tub itself.

How long does the LG Tub Clean cycle take?

The LG Tub Clean cycle typically takes between 2 to 4 hours to complete. It’s a long, hot cycle designed to thoroughly clean the drum and internal components. Don’t try to shorten it; let it run its full course.

Can I wash clothes immediately after ruing Tub Clean?

Yes, you can. However, it’s a good idea to run an extra rinse cycle or a short, empty wash cycle afterward if you used a strong cleaner like bleach or vinegar. This ensures all cleaning residue is flushed out, preventing any potential transfer to your clothes. Wiping down the drum and seal after the cycle is also recommended.

What’s the difference between Tub Clean and Eco Tub Clean?

Both cycles aim to clean the washing machine tub. ‘Eco Tub Clean’ is generally designed to be more energy-efficient, perhaps using slightly less water or a lower temperature while still effectively removing buildup. The standard ‘Tub Clean’ might be a more aggressive, hotter cycle. Check your specific LG model’s manual for exact details, but both achieve the same goal: a cleaner tub.

Is it okay to use bleach and vinegar together in the Tub Clean cycle?

Absolutely not. Never mix bleach and vinegar. Mixing chlorine bleach with acidic substances like vinegar creates toxic chlorine gas, which is extremely dangerous and can cause severe respiratory problems or even be fatal. Always use one or the other, never together, and never run cycles consecutively without thoroughly rinsing the machine in between.