Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteFor visible mold or a mildew smell, Samsung’s U.S. procedure is to empty the washer, put liquid chlorine bleach in the detergent compartment up to its MAX line, and immediately run the model’s Self Clean, Self Clean+, or Pure Cycle. Then wipe away residue, run Rinse+Spin, and leave the door and detergent drawer open to dry. This targeted bleach treatment differs from routine tub cleaning, which usually needs no added cleaner.
Remove visible mold or a mildew smell
These remediation steps follow Samsung’s U.S. instructions. Check your model’s manual if its controls or directions differ.
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- Empty the washer. Do not run a Self Clean cycle with laundry inside; Samsung warns this can damage the washer or its contents. If water is standing in the tub, run Spin-only first to remove it.
- Add bleach to the detergent compartment. Pour liquid chlorine bleach into the detergent compartment up to its MAX line. For this particular mold-and-odor procedure, Samsung says not to use the bleach compartment. Start the cleaning cycle immediately rather than leaving bleach in the washer.
- Run the available cleaning cycle. Select Self Clean, Self Clean+, or Pure Cycle, depending on your model. Samsung estimates about four hours for a front-load cycle, but the actual duration varies by model.
- Wipe and rinse. After the cycle, use paper towels to wipe residue from the drum. Run Rinse+Spin; if visible mold residue remains, repeat additional cycles until it is gone.
- Let the washer dry. Leave both the door and detergent drawer open so moisture can escape.
Samsung’s directions are for liquid chlorine bleach in the detergent compartment at the MAX line, followed immediately by a cleaning cycle. Do not substitute this treatment for routine maintenance or leave bleach sitting in the machine.
Clean the pump filter safely
A dirty pump filter can be part of washer upkeep even though Samsung’s mold-and-odor procedure does not identify it as the cause of a particular mold problem. Samsung’s U.S. cleaning guide recommends cleaning a front-load washer’s pump filter at least once a month or approximately every 40 washes, whichever comes first.
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- Use the manual for your exact model to locate the filter and follow its draining and removal steps.
- If the washer recently ran a hot cycle, wait an hour before draining. Samsung cautions that the water may be very hot.
Routine care to discourage mold and odor
Samsung Canada’s guide, updated July 2, 2026, offers this schedule for Canadian-market washers. Features and settings may vary by model and country, so use it as a practical reference and follow your manual where it differs.
| Task | Suggested interval | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Air out the washer | After every wash | Leave the door and detergent drawer open. |
| Wipe the door, gasket, and detergent area | Weekly | Wipe these areas to remove moisture and residue. |
| Run the tub-cleaning cycle | Monthly | Run Self Clean or Pure Cycle if your model has one. |
| Clean the detergent drawer and filter | Every one to three months | Follow your model’s manual for removal and cleaning instructions. |
For routine interior cleaning, Samsung says Self Clean or Pure Cycle usually requires no additional cleaner. If your washer lacks those cycles, consult its manual for the appropriate cycle. Samsung also specifies HE detergent and advises not exceeding the dispenser’s MAX line; follow your model’s manual for detergent use.
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When to contact Samsung
If mold or odor remains after several attempts, Samsung advises contacting its Support Center. Persistent symptoms are a reason to seek model-specific guidance rather than keep repeating a bleach treatment indefinitely.
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- STINKY PET ODOR? Affresh washing machine cleaner helps remove residues that can trap odors from pets, sweat and mildew that can transfer onto clothes and sheets.
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Sources
- Samsung U.S.: Samsung washing machine has a mildew smell or visible mold
- Samsung U.S.: Cleaning your washing machine
- Samsung Canada: How to clean a washing machine
- Samsung U.S.: Using HE detergent in a Samsung washing machine
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