How to Clean a Washing Machine and Fridge: Samsung’s Guide

Samsung recommends running the Eco Drum Clean cycle, which cleans the washing machine automatically with high-temperature water, between 60 °C and 70 °C, without detergent, bleach or other chemicals, and the machine reminds you to do so every 40 washes. It is one of the tips in the guide on how to clean a washing machine and fridge that the company published on 11 November 2026 in its press room in Colombia.

These are the brand’s recommendations for its own appliances, produced by Samsung Latin America. According to the company, detergent residue, moisture and odours can affect the condition of appliances with use, and knowing which practices and products to use helps avoid damage to their components.

Washing machine: drum self-cleaning and regular reminder

With frequent use, detergent residue, dirt and moisture can build up inside the drum and on the door seal, which encourages bad odours and the build-up of bacteria, Samsung points out. It therefore advises regular cleaning to maintain hygiene, preserve performance and help the appliance last longer, always following the manufacturer’s instructions and avoiding cleaning products that could damage its components.

The brand’s washing machine models feature the Eco Drum Clean cycle, which the company says helps remove residue, built-up dirt and bacteria. Samsung states that this leaves the interior sanitised without scrubbing the drum by hand.

The machine itself reminds you when it is due: every 40 washes a notification appears on the panel. On connected models, the alert also reaches your phone through the SmartThings app. According to Samsung, there is no need to keep a manual record: just select the cleaning programme with the drum empty and let the appliance do the rest.

Detergent drawer: StayClean Drawer technology

The company warns that residue building up in the detergent drawer can make it harder to clean over time. To address this, its washing machines include StayClean Drawer technology, a water injection system that optimises the release of detergent, keeps the compartment clean and avoids wasting consumables.

Samsung maintains that these features help reduce the need for frequent manual maintenance and preserve the washing machine’s operating condition.

Fridge: what to use and what to avoid

Because it runs continuously, the fridge needs regular care to maintain its condition for use and food storage. On the outside, the guide warns that abrasive fibres, bleach and harsh degreasers can scratch surfaces, damage finishes and compromise the integrity of the door seals.

For everyday cleaning, the recommendation is to use a soft cloth, water and mild soap, always following the manufacturer’s instructions. Some of the brand’s models also include an active deodorising filter that reduces odours continuously and automatically; according to Samsung, it helps preserve food and keeps the interior fresh without resorting to home remedies.

Dust tends to build up at the back. The company warns that trying to clean the electrical components or the compressor with liquids or soaking wet cloths can pose risks to safety and to the operation of the appliance, and insists on following the manufacturer’s recommendations for any maintenance task.

SmartThings Home Care: alerts when the appliance needs attention

SmartThings Home Care provides information on the condition of appliances and recommendations for their care. It works through the mobile app, available on connected models, as a preventive assistant that sends real-time alerts when the appliance needs attention. According to Samsung, users can check data and receive advice without having to guess the right moment to step in.

Diego Buteler, Director of Digital Appliances at Samsung Latin America, puts it this way:

We believe technology should make the household routine simpler, even when it comes to looking after appliances. That is why we have developed solutions that virtually eliminate the need for deep cleaning and chemical products in appliance maintenance, avoiding practices that could compromise their performance and durability. By creating technologies that clean the appliance itself, we make a difference in everyday life and ensure that consumers do not have to waste time on complicated manual processes

Habits to extend an appliance’s life

The habits Samsung recommends include regular cleaning, using the right amount of detergent, avoiding harsh chemicals, protecting surfaces and seals, and following the manufacturer’s instructions. The company adds that combining this care with technologies that automate tasks reduces the maintenance effort and helps prevent damage that affects performance and durability.

Additional advice from OCU

In addition to the brand’s guidelines, the Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) published other advice in 2019, with a different approach. For the fridge, it suggests cleaning the walls, drawers and inner face of the door with water and white vinegar, and wiping the inside surfaces with a cloth dampened in bicarbonate of soda paste if there are bad odours. This is a different view from Samsung’s, which points to its deodorising filter as a way of not resorting to home remedies.

On the washing machine, OCU advises not buying specific cleaning products, however extravagant their promises and price, and cleaning the filter regularly, at least once a year. It also recommends not exceeding a spin speed of 1,200 rpm, because the faster it spins, the more the parts suffer, checking with a spirit level that the machine is straight and balanced, and using a limescale remover if the water in your area is hard.

According to the organisation, good maintenance can save an amount in repairs that easily adds up to €150. As a reference from that time, its average breakdown prices in 2019 were as follows:

Before calling a technician, OCU advises checking the manufacturer’s manual, because the problem may be a dirty filter or a door that does not close properly.

Other tips for the fridge and washing machine

Another consumer guide recommends cleaning the fridge every three weeks, taking advantage of a time when there is less food in it, with bicarbonate of soda and lukewarm water, without forgetting the seals, where dirt and moisture build up. For the washing machine, it suggests drying the seal after every wash or leaving the door open for a while to prevent mould and bacteria.

For the drum, another guide suggests using cleaning vinegar and bicarbonate of soda on a short or cleaning programme, and cleaning the filter, usually located at the bottom, with detergent or vinegar. It also attributes to OCU the recommendation to clean the washing machine four times a year, a frequency that does not match the 2019 guide mentioned above.