List Cleaning in SendX helps you verify and validate email addresses before sending campaigns to ensure only real, deliverable contacts remain on your list. Instead of sending emails to invalid addresses and risking high bounce rates or damage to your sender reputation, you can now check email syntax, domain validity, and mailbox status in advance. This feature protects your deliverability by removing risky addresses before they cause problems with spam filters or affect your inbox placement.
This guide will show you how to enable list cleaning, set up automatic verification for new contacts, clean your existing contact lists, and interpret the verification results to maintain a healthy email list.
3. Before You Begin
Before starting the list cleaning process, make sure you have:
Contact lists uploaded: Have your contact lists imported into SendX that you want to clean and verify
Understanding of verification statuses: Familiarize yourself with the three status types (Valid, Invalid, Unknown) that contacts will be categorized into
Export permissions: Ensure you can download and export data from your SendX account
Backup of original lists: Consider keeping a backup of your original contact lists before cleaning, in case you need to reference them later
4. Step-by-Step Instructions
Access Settings
Click on the Profile Icon in the top-right corner.
Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
Go to the Add-ons tab.
Open List Cleaning
Toggle List Cleaning to turn it on.
Once enabled, select Analytics under the List Cleaning section.
Click Clean Now.
Choose one of the following options:
Unclean – only clean contacts that haven’t been checked before.
All Contacts – clean the entire list.
Clear by Status – remove contacts based on specific statuses.
Valid – Safe to send! The email address is verified and deliverable.
Invalid – Bad address. It can’t receive emails (typo, deleted, or non-existent).
Unknown – We couldn’t confirm. Could be temporary issues or a catch-all domain.
How to Export Data
Choose the Export Data option.
Select Export Stats and specify the date range you want to export.
You will receive the exported list as a download link via email.
Run the Action
After selecting your option, click Start cleaning
The system will process the cleaning and update analytics shortly.
Under settings select
Clean new contacts automatically – Keeps all newly added contacts verified and ready to send. ✅
5. Tips & Best Practices
Follow these recommendations to get the most effective results from your list cleaning process:
Clean regularly: Run list cleaning on a regular schedule, especially before major campaigns, to maintain good deliverability.
Start with new imports: Always clean newly imported contact lists before sending any campaigns to them.
Understand the status meanings: Valid contacts are safe to email, Invalid should be removed, and Unknown contacts require careful consideration.
Use selective filtering: Use the Filter by Status option to focus on specific contact types rather than cleaning everything at once.
Export before deleting: Always export your cleaning results before removing contacts, so you have a record of what was cleaned.
6. Troubleshooting
List cleaning typically runs smoothly, but occasionally, you may face some technical or process-related hurdles.
Here are solutions to help you overcome common obstacles:
Problem: "The Clean Now button is not appearing in the Analytics tab."
Solution: Ensure you have the necessary permissions for list cleaning in your SendX account. Contact your account administrator if the feature isn't visible.
Problem: "My cleaning process seems to be taking a very long time."
Solution: Large contact lists can take time to process. The system verifies each email address individually. Wait for the process to complete or check the Cleaning Activity section for progress updates.
Problem: "I accidentally cleaned contacts I wanted to keep."
Solution: Check your exported data from the Cleaning Activity section. You can re-import contacts that were incorrectly removed, but it's always better to be selective with your filtering options.
Problem: "The export function isn't working, or the file won't download."
Solution: Try refreshing the page and attempting the export again. Ensure your browser allows downloads from SendX and check if any pop-up blockers are interfering.
7. Related Articles
After cleaning your email list, here are your next steps to maintain good deliverability and list hygiene:
Regular List Maintenance Schedule: Create a routine cleaning schedule based on your sending frequency.
Implementing Double Opt-in: Prevent future list pollution by requiring new subscribers to confirm their email addresses.
Creating Targeted Campaigns for Clean Lists: Learn how to segment and target your newly cleaned contact lists for better engagement in this guide.