How To Do Tub Clean In Lg Washing Machine

LG Washing Machine Tub Clean: Stop the Stank. Now.

Look, let’s cut the crap. Your LG washing machine. It stinks. You know it stinks. That fuzzy mildew smell? That ain’t ‘clean laundry’ aroma. It’s a cry for help. A biological warfare zone brewing inside that drum. And you, my friend, are asking How To Do Tub Clean In Lg Washing Machine because you finally noticed. Good. Took you long enough.

This ain’t rocket science. But it requires more than just hitting a button and hoping for the best. Honestly, most people just ignore it. They keep washing. They spread the funk. Then they wonder why their clothes smell like a damp basement. Don’t be that person.

The Undeniable Truth About Washer Tub Funk

This happens to all machines, but LGs are no different. Low-temp washes? Great for saving energy, terrible for killing mold and bacteria. Detergent buildup? Yep, that goo feeds the beast. Lint, hair, stray socks… it all turns into a festering mess. The thing is, this funk isn’t just gross. It can damage your clothes, leave residue, and frankly, make your entire laundry room smell like a swamp monster’s armpit.

I remember my neighbor, bless her heart, complaining for weeks. Her whites were dingy, her towels smelled like defeat. She’d never run a tub clean. Never. Bought a new washer last month. A perfectly good machine, trashed by neglect. Sad.

Why Bother With A Tub Clean Cycle? It’s Not Just A Fancy Button.

That ‘Tub Clean’ button isn’t a suggestion. It’s a command. It’s designed to run a high-heat, high-water cycle specifically to scrub away the grime, mold, and mildew that builds up inside the drum and hoses. Ignoring it is like saying you don’t need to shower because you put on deodorant. It’s a band-aid on a festering wound.

When Should You Actually Use It?

LG recommends using the Tub Clean cycle about once a month. Once a month! If you do a lot of low-temp washes, wash heavily soiled items often, or notice that smell starting to creep in – do it more. Don’t wait for the funk to reach critical mass. Seriously. It’s way harder to fight then.

The Manual Method: When ‘Tub Clean’ Isn’t Enough

Sometimes, that built-in cycle is just not goa cut it. You’ve let it go too long. The smell is a full-blown biohazard. That’s when you gotta get your hands dirty. The thing is, people overcomplicate this. It’s simple. Get some supplies, do the work. Easy.

What You’ll Need (Don’t Be Cheap)

• Bleach: About 1 cup. Yes, bleach. It kills the nasties.
• OR White Vinegar: About 2 cups. If you’re anti-bleach, use this.
• Microfiber Cloths: Plenty. You’ll be wiping down gunk.
• Old Toothbrush: For those stubborn spots.
• Maybe Gloves: If you don’t want your hands smelling like chemicals.

Step-by-Step: The Deep Clean Offensive

1. Empty The Machine. Duh.

Remove all clothes. Obvious, I know. But some people… you gotta spell it out.

2. Run A Hot Cycle With Bleach (Or Vinegar)

Add 1 cup of bleach OR 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the main detergent dispenser. Do NOT add detergent. This is a cleaning cycle, not a wash cycle. Select the hottest water setting your LG offers. Use the ‘Heavy Duty’ or ‘Normal’ cycle – whatever gets it hot and long. Let it run its course. This loosens the gunk.

3. The Wipe-Down Commando Raid

Once the hot cycle is done, open the door. Grab your microfiber cloths. Now, you gotta wipe. Every. Single. Surface. Inside the drum. The rubber gasket around the door – this is prime real estate for mold. Get in there. Use the old toothbrush for the gasket creases. Wipe the inside of the door. Wipe the detergent drawers. Get it all. You’ll probably find nasty black or grey gunk. That’s the enemy.

My first time doing this? I almost gagged. The amount of slime I wiped out… unbelievable. Felt like I was cleaning a crime scene. But afterwards? Smelled like nothing. Pristine. A true victory.

4. Clean The Filter (Yeah, It Has One)

Most LG machines have a drain pump filter. Usually behind a small door at the bottom front. Consult your manual if you can’t find it. Turn off the water supply first. Have towels ready – water WILL spill. Unscrew the filter. Clean out any lint, hair, coins, or other crap lodged in there. Rinse it clean. Screw it back in TIGHT. This is critical. A loose filter means a flood. Not ideal.

5. Run Another Hot Cycle (Optional, But Recommended)

After the wipe-down and filter clean, run another hot cycle, this time with NO additives. Just water. This rinses away any lingering bleach/vinegar residue and any loosened gunk you missed. Finish it off with a final wipe-down of the drum and gasket.

The Routine: How to Prevent the Stank From Returning

The worst part? It comes back. If you don’t change your habits, that funk will return. And it will return with a vengeance. The thing is, prevention is always easier than the cure. Always.

The Monthly Ritual: Tub Clean Cycle

Seriously. Set a reminder. Once a month, run the ‘Tub Clean’ cycle. Use a washing machine cleaner tablet if you want. Some people use bleach or vinegar in the drum for this cycle too. Just follow the instructions for your specific LG model. Don’t skip it.

The Daily Grind: After Every Wash

• Leave the Door Ajar: This is HUGE. After you unload your laundry, leave the washer door open. Let air circulate. This dries out the drum and gasket, making it hard for mold and mildew to grow. My LG has been sitting open for 5 years straight. Smells great.
• Wipe the Gasket: If you see moisture or gunk in the rubber seal, wipe it dry with a cloth. Takes 10 seconds.
• Dry the Detergent Drawer: Pull out the detergent drawer and wipe it dry. That goo dries hard and smells bad.

Smart Washing Practices

Use High-Temp Washes Occasionally: Even if you usually wash in cold, try a hot wash (140°F / 60°C or higher) once every few weeks. This helps kill bacteria.

Don’t Overload: Clothes need to move freely to get clean and rinse properly. Overloading causes detergent and grime to build up.

Use the Right Amount of Detergent: Too much detergent doesn’t rinse out. It becomes food for mold. Use High-Efficiency (HE) detergent if you have an HE machine. Less is more.

Remove Wet Laundry Promptly: Don’t let damp clothes sit in the machine. They’ll get musty, and that smell can transfer to the tub.

LG Washing Machine Model Specifics?

Most LG front-load and top-load washers have a ‘Tub Clean’ cycle. The exact location of the button and the cycle name might vary slightly. For front-loaders, it’s often a dedicated button. For some top-loaders, you might need to press a combination of buttons or find it in a menu. Always check your specific LG model’s manual. It’s usually available online on the LG website if you lost the physical copy. They’ll tell you the exact procedure for your machine.

Some newer LG models might have an ‘Eco Clean’ or ‘Drum Clean’ cycle. It’s the same principle. High heat, long duration, designed to sanitize the tub. The process to clean it manually remains largely the same, regardless of the specific cycle name.

When Do You Really Need to Worry?

If you follow these steps and the smell persists, or if you see black mold that you absolutely caot scrub out, then you might have a deeper issue. This could be a clogged drain hose, a faulty pump, or severe internal mold growth that requires professional attention. But honestly? Most of the time, a good manual deep clean and consistent maintenance will solve 99% of problems.

I had a friend with an LG that smelled horrific. Tried everything. Turns out, a small sock had somehow gotten past the drum and lodged itself somewhere in the internal plumbing. Took a repair guy hours to find and remove it. Cost him a fortune. A preventable disaster. Don’t let that be you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tub clean button in a washing machine?

The ‘Tub Clean’ button is a dedicated cycle on many washing machines, including LG models. It runs a specialized, high-temperature, high-water wash designed specifically to clean and sanitize the inside of the washing machine drum and components, removing buildup, mold, mildew, and odors. It’s essentially a self-cleaning cycle for your appliance.

Do you put detergent in for drum clean?

Generally, no, you do not put regular laundry detergent in for a ‘Tub Clean’ or ‘Drum Clean’ cycle. The cycle is designed to run with cleaning agents like bleach, vinegar, or specialized washing machine cleaning tablets, or sometimes with just hot water. Adding regular detergent can interfere with the cleaning process or create too many suds, making it less effective. Always check your LG machine’s manual for specific instructions.

How often should I use the Tub Clean cycle on my LG washer?

LG typically recommends using the ‘Tub Clean’ cycle about once a month. However, this can vary based on your usage habits. If you frequently wash at low temperatures, wash heavily soiled items, or notice any musty odors developing, you should run the cycle more often – perhaps every two to three weeks. Consistency is key to preventing buildup.

Can I use bleach and vinegar together for cleaning my LG washing machine tub?

It’s generally not recommended to mix bleach and vinegar. When mixed, they can create toxic chlorine gas, which is dangerous to inhale. For cleaning your LG washing machine tub, it’s best to use one or the other. You can perform one cleaning cycle with bleach and a separate cycle with vinegar, or choose the method you prefer. Always ensure the machine is thoroughly rinsed between different cleaning agents.

What are the signs my LG washing machine needs a tub clean?

Several signs indicate your LG washing machine needs a tub clean. The most common is a persistent musty, mildewy, or sour odor emanating from the machine or lingering on your freshly washed clothes. You might also notice visible residue, slime, or black/grey spots inside the drum, on the rubber door gasket (especially in front-loaders), or in the detergent dispenser. Clothes may come out with less than a fresh scent, or even smell worse than before washing.