Tub Clean simplifies maintaining your LG washing machine.
It's a built-in cycle that keeps the drum fresh and free of buildup.

What It Does

Tub Clean removes detergent residue, lint, mold, and odors from the wash tub.
This feature uses hot water (often boiling), soaking, rinsing, and high-speed spinning to scrub away grime without clothes inside, ensuring cleaner laundry over time and preventing that musty smell many users notice after months of use.

LG designed it for optimal performance, especially in front-load models where moisture lingers, and it activates an alert like "tcL " flashing when cleaning is due—typically after 30 washes or so.

"The tub clean cycle keeps your washer in optimal performance by removing detergent build up and other residue, keeping your wash drum clean."

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps on most LG washers with the feature (empty drum first!):

  1. Power on the machine.
  2. Select Tub Clean —press the button or cycle option (hold if hidden on some panels).
  1. Add cleaner : Use LG-recommended tub cleaner (powder in dispenser, liquid in cup, or tablet in drum). Vinegar or bleach works as a free hack in videos, but pros suggest commercial products for best results.
  1. Start/Pause to run—takes 1-2 hours, heating to sanitize everything.
  1. After cycle : Leave door/dispenser open to dry, preventing new mold. Clean the pump filter too on front-loaders.

Pro Tip : Run monthly or when "tcL " appears for peak efficiency—no laundry inside, ever.

Why Run It Regularly

  • Prevents odors : Hot water kills bacteria/mold in seals and crevices.
  • Extends machine life : Less residue means fewer clogs or errors like draining issues post-clean.
  • Better washes : Residue-free tub = cleaner clothes, no transfer stains.

Users on YouTube rave about "dirty water" draining out, proving it works—like a deep spa day for your washer. One video showed boiling spins pulling soap scum like a centrifuge.

User Experiences & Trending Tips

Forum buzz calls it a "game-changer" for stink-free laundry.

  • Videos from 2021-2023 still trend, with hacks like vinegar for budget cleans (free & effective, per creators).
  • Common questions: Safe? Yes. Duration? ~1 hour 14 mins. Smell? Cleans it away. Errors? Rare, but ventilate post-run.
  • Multi-view: LG official guides are precise; DIYers add vinegar for eco-twists, but stick to pros for warranty.

In 2026, with more front-loaders in homes, Tub Clean remains a hot topic—no major updates, but maintenance vids keep circulating.

TL;DR : Tub Clean is LG's self-sanitizing drum cycle—run monthly with cleaner for odor-free, efficient washing.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.