What Does the 'Tub Clean' Cycle Actually Do? (And Should You Use It?)
We’ve all been there. You go to pull your laundry out, and there it is: a little red light on the control panel angrily blinking “Tub Clean” at you.
Most of us ignore it for about three months until the machine starts smelling like a damp basement. But what is that button actually doing? Is it just a glorified hot-water cycle, or is there some mechanical wizardry happening behind the scenes?
Here is exactly what that cycle does, why you shouldn’t ignore it, and what you need to toss in the drum before you press start.
What the Machine is Actually Doing
When you select the Tub Clean (or Self Clean) cycle, your washer alters its normal behavior in three specific ways:
- Extreme Heat: Your normal “Hot” cycle mixes in some cold water to protect your clothes. Tub Clean bypasses this, drawing straight from your hot water heater (or using its internal heater) to push water temps to 140°F (60°C) or higher. This melts away built-up fabric softener and kills mold spores.
- Aggressive Agitation: It changes the drum’s rotation rhythm. Instead of gently tumbling clothes, it whips the water into a frenzy to create a pressure-washing effect against the outer plastic tub where you can’t see.
- Extended Soaking: It pauses mid-cycle to let the hot, chemical-filled water sit and dissolve hard water minerals.
What Should You Put in the Machine?
The machine provides the heat and motion, but you have to provide the muscle. Never run a Tub Clean cycle empty with just plain water. It won’t descale the machine properly.
Choose ONE of these additives (and strictly only one, unless you want to create a dangerous science experiment):
- Commercial Washing Machine Tablets (Affresh, OxiClean, Active): These are the gold standard. They contain oxygen bleach to kill bacteria and sodium carbonate to break down hard water scale. Toss one tablet directly into the empty drum (not the dispenser drawer).
- Liquid Chlorine Bleach: Best for killing black mold inside the door seal. Pour 1/2 cup into the bleach dispenser (not directly into the drum).
- White Distilled Vinegar: Best for hard water mineral buildup and light odors. Pour 2 cups directly into the empty drum.
The 3-Step Process
- Empty the Drum: Double-check that no rogue socks are hiding in the back. The extreme heat and chemicals will destroy them.
- Add Your Cleaner: Toss in your tablet, bleach, or vinegar based on the guide above.
- Press Start and Walk Away: The cycle usually takes between 1.5 to 2 hours. Once it finishes, leave the door wide open so the interior can completely air dry.
The blinking light will automatically reset itself when the cycle finishes. You just bought yourself another month of fresh-smelling laundry!
📚 What to Read Next
If you are on a laundry-room cleaning spree, check out these quick guides:
- How to Clean a Washing Machine Filter (Without Flooding Your Floor) - What to do if your washer stops draining and flashes an error code.
- The Ultimate Washing Machine Deep Clean Guide - How to scrub the rubber door gasket and detergent drawers.
- How to Wash Shoes in the Washer Safely - The towel trick that saves your drum and your sneakers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Tub Clean cycle actually do anything different than a normal hot wash?
Yes. Tub Clean cycles typically heat water to a much higher temperature than your normal 'Hot' setting and use a specialized high-speed spin routine to blast debris off the outer drum walls.
Can I put clothes in during a Tub Clean cycle?
Absolutely not. The extreme heat and harsh cleaning chemicals used during this cycle will ruin your clothes and likely bleach them.
How do I turn off the blinking Tub Clean light on my LG or Samsung?
The light is on a timer (usually triggering every 30-40 washes). The only way to turn off the reminder light is to actually run the full Tub Clean cycle.