How to use “clean washer” cycle on Kenmore top load?

The only way to clean your Washer effortlessly is to run the clean washer cycle. The procedure varies from Washer to Washer. In this article, I’ve described how to use clean washer cycle on a Kenmore top-load washer.

If you are a user of Kenmore Elite or the model 29142, you need to twist the dial on “Clean Washer” and press the “Play” button. If you own any of the model numbers Kenmore 21112, 21652, 31652, or 31312, you need to press the “Clean Washer” button and then the “Play” button. If you own basic models of Kenmore, then you will require doing it manually, which I’ve described in this article.

It is to be noted that, sometimes, using the clean washer cycle can’t clean the tub deeply, such as sludges. In those cases, you might require a hand clean first, then use the “clean washer” cycle to your Kenmore top load washer.

What is the Role of the “Clean Washer” Cycle?

In simple words, the “Clean Washer” cycle stands for cleaning the tub. After long-term use, there grows sludges and molds in Washer’s tub and the rotor plate, which are harmful to the Washer and need to be cleaned thoroughly. Otherways the sludge or mold might get turned into rust.

The clean washer cycle doesn’t require any detergent; it only uses hot water and multiple rinse cycle to clean the tub. In most cases, that’s enough.

But sometimes, only using the “Clean Washer” cycle doesn’t help remove all the sludge and molds; only doing a manual Clean can help remove them. Later in this article, I described it.

How to use “clean washer” cycle on Kenmore Elite top load

Follow the steps below to use the “Clean Washer” cycle on your Kenmore Elite or  29142 model.

Step 1: Plug in your Kenmore elite top loader.

Step 2: Turn ON your Washer by pressing the Power button.

Step 3: Twist the dial to the “Clean Washer” point. Make sure the water supply is okay.

Step 4:  Don’t put any loads or detergent in the Washer. Just press the “Play” button to start the cycle and leave it until the process is complete.

Step 5: When it’s finished, turn OFF the Washer and plug it out. Keep the lid open for half an hour to dry the Washer.

That’s it; you are done.

How to use “clean washer” cycle on Automatic Kenmore top load

If you own any models between  21112, 21652, 31652, & 31312, which are automatic Kenmore top loader washers, follow the steps below to use the Clean Washer cycle.

Step 1: First, plug the Washer in carefully. 

Step 2: Turn ON your Kenmore top loader by pressing the Power button.

Step 3: Press the “Clean Washer” button. Make sure the water supply is ON.

Step 4: Do not put any loads or detergent in the Washer. Then press the Play button to start the cycle, let it run, and complete the process.

Step 5: Once the cycle is finished, turn OFF the Washer and plug it out. Then keep the lid open for a while to dry the Washer thoroughly.

That’s it. You are done!!!

How to use the “Clean Washer” Cycle on Manual Kenmore Top Loaders

This procedure is applicable for Kenmore 25132, 22352, 20232, 20362, & 25122 manual top loaders.

Kenmore manual washers have a few dials to rotate on the desired setup, such as water level, temperature, and soil level, and rinse beside the main function dial. So you need to preset those during the “Clean Washer” cycle manually.

Firstly, plug in your Kenmore washer and turn on the water and power supply. Then turn on your Washer and follow the steps below.

Step 1: Select the Water Level dial to the High (Fill) Point.

Step 2: Place the Temperature dial on the Hot Point.

Step 3: Place the Soil dial at the Heavy Point.

Step 4: Select the rinse dial to the One Rinse point. 

Step 5:  Select the Fabric Softener OFF and Stain Bost ON (for the 25132 & 22352 models)

Step 6: Select “Clean Washer” on the main function dial, press the Start button, let it run, and finish the process. You won’t need any detergent or cleaning agent.

Step 7: When the cycle is finished, keep the lid open for a while to dry the Washer.

That’s it; you are done with the procedure.

What if the Washer doesn’t have a “Clean Washer” function?

A few old Manual top load washers don’t contain the “Celan Washer” function to clean the tub. Cause that’s an automatic preset function to set a specific timer, temperature, water level, and cleaning pattern optimized for the tub cleaning procedure.

So, if your Washer doesn’t have the preset “Clean Washer” function, you can manually set it.

Please note that the “Clean Washer” function is not programmed to use any detergent. This function only uses hot water, so you only need the water and power supply.

This process will work for manual washers that don’t have a “Clean Washer” Cycle.

Step 1: Plug in your Washer and turn it ON, keeping ON the water supply.

Step 2: Dial or press the Soil Level in the Heavy point, Rinse on the Single Rinse point, Water Level on the High point, and temperature at the Max point, then select any heavy wash function from the main dial. You don’t need to put in any detergent.

Step 3: Press the Start button and leave the Washer to complete the procedure. 

Step 4: When the cycle is finished, keep the lid open for a few minutes to properly dry the Washer’s tub.

What if the “Clean Washer” cycle can’t Clean Mold and Sludge?

If your Washer is older than two years or more, there’s a strong possibility that hard water stains, sludges and molds have grown inside the tub and rotor plate. You should follow a deep clean procedure for the top loader for proper maintenance in those cases. 

Or, if you like a shortcut, apply Lysol toilet bowl cleaner inside the tub and rub it with a brush to clean it properly.

Then run the clean manual cycle without any loads. This process will make your Washer clean like new!