How to Clean a Frigidaire or Electrolux Washer: Clean Washer Cycle, Seal and Filter
Empty the drum, add one cleaner (a BLITZ tablet straight in the drum, or 1 cup of liquid chlorine bleach, never both), turn the dial to Clean Washer and press Start/Pause. Frigidaire and Electrolux say once a month at least; some Electrolux front loaders light the Clean Washer indicator every 50 cycles. On a front loader, dry the door seal fold after each wash and rinse the dispenser drawer once or twice a month. BLITZ's routine: one tablet every two weeks, about $1.04 a clean.
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In this guide: 8 sections
How to run the Clean Washer cycle on a Frigidaire or Electrolux washer
Frigidaire is an Electrolux brand, and both use one cycle: Clean Washer (some Frigidaire models call it Tub Clean or System Clean). The steps match across the manuals we read.
Afterwards, leave the door or lid and the drawer open a few hours (not with small children or pets around, the manuals warn).
Other washer brands
Other brands: how to clean a GE washer (Basket Clean) and how to clean a Whirlpool or Maytag washer (also Clean Washer).
The Clean Washer light, and how often to run it
Once a month is the minimum in every manual we checked. Frigidaire Canada's top-load care page says once a month or every 50 loads, depending on the model.
The light is a load counter, not a fault. On the Electrolux ELFW7437, the Clean Washer cycle indicator lights up every 50 cycles; running Clean Washer resets it.
Other models, and our math
The other manuals we read mention no light, so go by the calendar. At 5 loads a week, 50 cycles take 10 weeks (our math), so the monthly clean comes first.
BLITZ's routine is every two weeks, so tablet cycles on the 1st and the 15th cover the makers' monthly minimum too. More in how often to clean a washing machine.
Bleach or a tablet: one cleaner per Clean Washer cycle
The manuals name two options for Clean Washer: 1 cup of liquid chlorine bleach, or a washing machine cleaner in its place.
If you use bleach: where it goes, by model
| Washer (manual) | 1 cup of bleach goes | Right after |
|---|---|---|
| Electrolux ELFW4222 front loader | Main wash compartment, detergent flap up | Fresh Rinse at max spin, no detergent |
| Electrolux ELFW7437 front loader | Detergent compartment, liquid detergent cup removed | Rinse & Spin at max spin |
| Frigidaire FLVW7000 top loader | Straight into the empty tub | Quick Wash |
| Frigidaire FLVW7523 top loader | Straight into the empty tub | Rinse & Spin |
Careful: Never put bleach and a BLITZ tablet (citric acid) in the same cycle, and never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia: Electrolux's manuals and Health Canada both warn of dangerous fumes. After a bleach cycle, run its rinse before the next cleaner (our suggestion). More in vinegar or bleach to clean a washing machine.
Using a BLITZ tablet in a Frigidaire or Electrolux washer
A BLITZ tablet takes the place of the cup of bleach. BLITZ Washing Machine Cleaner & Descaler pairs citric acid for mineral deposits with an oxygen cleaner and a surfactant for detergent residue. No chlorine bleach, unscented, septic-safe.
Drop one tablet straight into the empty drum, not the detergent drawer. On a front loader, run Clean Washer; on a top loader, the hottest, largest load, so the water reaches the rim (BLITZ directions).
One tablet every two weeks keeps residue and scale from building up between monthly cleans. A box of 24 lasts a year: $24.95 / 24 = about $1.04 a clean (goblitzclean.com, October 24, 2026). Rated 4.9 out of 5 (14 reviews).
Front loaders: the door seal and its mould
Water in the seal fold is normal, Electrolux says. Leaving it there is what feeds the smell and the black spots. After each wash, dry inside the fold all the way around with a dry towel, plus the door glass, and pull out lint at the bottom. Leave the door ajar between washes: some Electrolux models have a spring-loaded door stand under the latch that holds it open.
Black spots that won't wipe off are mould stains in the rubber. Electrolux's own troubleshooting fix is a mildew stain remover gel and a brush. BLITZ Mold Stain Remover is that kind of gel ($24.95, 236 mL): run the tablet cycle first and let the washer drain, then apply it on the dry seal, leave it 3 to 5 hours and wipe it off. Gloves, eye protection and ventilation; never with another cleaner. Full method: mould on a front-load washer gasket.
Dispenser drawer and drain pump filter (front loaders)
Dispenser drawer: once or twice a month
Steps for the drawer
- Pull the drawer out until it stops, press down firmly on the lock tab at the back of the cavity (left rear corner on the ELFW7437), and pull it out.
- Remove the inserts and rinse everything in hot tap water. For mould in the drawer, the ELFW4222 manual uses 3/4 cup of liquid chlorine bleach in 1 gallon (3.8 L) of hot water, with gloves.
- Brush the recess, top and bottom, click the inserts back, and leave the drawer slightly open at the end of the wash day.
Drain pump filter: when water stays in the drum
On models with a pump cleanout door at the bottom front, like the Electrolux ELFW4222:
Steps for the filter
- Let hot water cool first (burn risk), open the door, lower the flap and set a catch pan underneath.
- Turn the filter 180° counterclockwise without removing it, and let the water drain.
- Unscrew, empty and rinse the filter, and check the opening for coins.
- Screw it back until it stops, O-ring in place, without overtightening. If the pump needs priming, pour about 2 L of water into the main wash compartment.
The manual sets no interval; our suggestion is every three months, and whenever water is left after a spin. Still smelly? See front-load washer smell.
Frigidaire top loaders (FLVW7000, FLVW7523)
On October 24, 2026, frigidaire.ca listed two washers, both top loaders: the FLVW7000AW (4.7 cu. ft.) and the FLVW7523BW (5.1 cu. ft.).
Which cycle for the tablet: on the FLVW7000, Clean Washer already runs hot with Deep Fill. On the FLVW7523, for water up to the rim, pick the hottest setting with Max Fill (our suggestion).
Residue or dye on the tub or agitator: unplug, wipe with a nonabrasive cleanser, rinse. More in how to clean a top-load washer.
Still smells, black spots or water left in the drum?
Heavy odour in a washer that missed its routine: Electrolux's heavy-duty method is 8 cups of bleach in the main wash compartment and Clean Washer, repeated as needed, then a rinse at max spin, with gloves.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Clean Washer light on on my Electrolux washer?
It's a reminder: on the ELFW7437, it lights up every 50 cycles. Run Clean Washer with the drum empty and one cleaner, and it resets.
Can I use washer cleaner tablets in a Frigidaire or Electrolux?
Yes. The manuals offer a washing machine cleaner as the alternative to bleach in Clean Washer: one BLITZ tablet in the empty drum, no bleach.
How do I get rid of mould on my front-load washer seal?
Dry the fold after every wash and leave the door ajar. For black stains in the rubber, apply BLITZ Mold Stain Remover gel on the dry seal for 3 to 5 hours, then wipe it off.
Can I clean a Frigidaire washer with vinegar?
The Clean Washer instructions we read list only bleach or a washing machine cleaner. A BLITZ tablet clears mineral deposits with citric acid, with no vinegar smell.
Sources: Electrolux ELFW4222 and ELFW7437 and Frigidaire FLVW7000 and FLVW7523 owner's manuals (English and French), Frigidaire Canada care page and washer listings, Health Canada, BLITZ product pages, all checked October 24, 2026. Features vary by model.
Frigidaire and Electrolux are trademarks of their owners. BLITZ is not affiliated with them.
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Black stains on the door seal? Follow the tablet cycle with BLITZ Mold Stain Remover. Also have a dishwasher? The Essentials Kit pairs 24 washer and 24 dishwasher tablets for $43.95, $4.95 less than buying both.
