Drum clean (tub clean, self clean)
A maintenance programme that cleans the machine itself, run with the drum empty. On some machines the icon lights by itself as a reminder after a number of washes.
What it is for
Every month or two, or when the machine smells. Beko says to run it empty, optionally with powder lime remover in compartment II, and to leave the door ajar afterwards. Bosch recommends it for odours in the machine or drum.
Makes differ, check your machine’s manual: the same drawing can mean different things on different brands, and only your model’s manual says exactly what a programme does, how hot and how long.
- What it looks like
- The round drum or door of the machine, sometimes with a drop or sparkle beside it.
- Names makers use
- Drum clean (Bosch); Pure Cycle / Self Clean (Samsung); Self Clean (Drum cleaning) (Beko)
Where makes differ
Bosch draws the drum with a drop; Samsung shows “the icon of a washing machine drum” after a certain number of washes as a prompt. Beko’s machine senses a load and stops the programme if anything is inside. On a dryer, a drum with curling arrows is anti-crease, not cleaning.
Often confused with
After drying ends, the drum keeps turning now and then, without heat, so the laundry does not settle into creases while you are away.
Other symbols with the same shapes
Sources
No single published standard defines washing-machine or dryer programme icons, so this meaning is taken from 3 makers’ own guides and manuals, each fetched and read on the date shown:
- Bosch: Bosch Home UK — Washing machine symbols guide — Drum clean symbol (the drum with a drop): “If there are odours in the washing machine or drum, run a Drum clean programme with no clothing in.” Checked 2026-09-25.
- Samsung: Samsung UK support — What do the symbols on my Samsung washing machine mean? — Pure Cycle / Self Clean: “The icon of a washing machine drum will be displayed after a certain number of washes… lets you know that a cleaning cycle should be run.” Checked 2026-09-25.
- Beko: Beko UK — WI 1382 washing machine user’s manual (PDF) — Self Clean (Drum cleaning): once every 1 or 2 months, without any laundry; powder lime remover in compartment II; leave the door ajar afterwards; “not a program for washing laundry”. Checked 2026-09-25.
Written in our own words; quotations are the makers’ wording.