How to totally clear a movieclip

1

var mcHolder:MovieClip = new MovieClip();

function mainFunction(e:TimerEvent = null, theArray:Array = null):void{

if(contains(mcHolder)){
	trace("yes");
	removeChild(mcHolder);
	
}

for(var f:int = first; f<last; f++){

	var string:String = theArray[f][2];
	

	var imageLoader:Loader = new Loader();
	imageLoader.load(new URLRequest(string));


	mcHolder.addChild(imageLoader);
	
	imageLoader.x = (f-first) * 125;
	
}
mcHolder.y = 200;
addChild(mcHolder);
Tweener.addTween(mcHolder, {y:0, time:4, transition:"easeOutElastic"});

}

so these xml images are being added to the mcHolder movieclip. I want it so that everytime the function is run the mcHolder is cleared. I thought removeChild would do it, but all it does is take it off the stage, and when the addChild comes again the new xml images are placed on top of the previous images.