One of my greatest joys is crawling into my freshly washed linens after an exhausting day. If you feel the same way, you should do the laundry well and, more importantly, clean your washing machine properly.
Whenever you see the CL code, it means your washer needs to be cleaned. Trust me, you shouldn’t ignore the code because it will only make your clothes smell damp and musty no matter how many times you clean it.
Here, we’re going to help you understand what a Maytag washer CL code indicates and what you need to do to clear it.
What is a Maytag washer CL code?
If a Maytag washing machine is flashing the CL code, it’s a reminder to run the Clean Washer Cycle. It appears after 30 cycles.
The CL code automatically disappears when the Clean Washer Cycle concludes or when the code is ignored for three cycles.
Unlike the E1 F9 or E2 F6 error codes, a CL code doesn’t indicate a problem with your Maytag washing machine.
You most likely won’t have to repair or replace anything, but you do have to clean your washer to prevent potential problems.
What is a Clean Washer Cycle?
A Clean Washer Cycle is a built-in cleaning program in select Maytag washing machines. It removes dirt and grime in the drum and other internal components you can’t easily reach, such as the pump, valves, drain, and reticulation hoses.
Once the cycle is selected, your washer fills the drum with a high volume of water, then it agitates to wash the interior. It will drain the water in the tub, spin, and fill again before rinsing the drum.
With the help of a cleaning agent like affresh® tablets or liquid chlorine bleach, the Clean Washer Cycle can prevent the accumulation of dirt and detergent residue, reducing malfunctions and costly breakdowns.
How to Run a Clean Washer Cycle on a Maytag Washer
There are a few ways to run a Clean Washer Cycle. Maytag recommends the use of affresh® tablets because they are formulated to dissolve slowly throughout the cleaning process, ensuring fresh and clean laundry loads each time.
A Clean Washer Cycle takes about 58 minutes to complete. To achieve the best possible results, you shouldn’t interrupt the process, so plan out your day ahead of time.
NOTE:
If you must interrupt the cycle, press the Power button. Once the washer stops, run a Rinse & Spin cycle to remove the cleaning agent in the drum and leave the door open to dry everything inside.
Using affresh® Tablets
An affresh® tablet is an effective cleaning solution for your washing machine because of its two main ingredients: sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate.
Sodium carbonate is a common ingredient in cleaning agents because it can effectively remove dirt and soften water, preventing mineral buildup in your washer. Along with sodium percarbonate, these tablets can remove dirt and odor-causing residue.
If you’re using an affresh® tablet to clean your Maytag washer, follow these steps to run a Clean Washer Cycle.
Step 1: Prepare your Maytag washer.
Plug in and turn on your washing machine. Open its lid and remove any items inside the drum before proceeding.
If clothes are in the drum when you run a Clean Washer Cycle, an rL or F34 error code will appear on the display. To clear this, simply remove the clothes then restart the cycle.
Step 2: Add affresh® tablets.
Pop a single affresh® tablet at the bottom of the drum. Never place an affresh® tablet inside the detergent dispenser.
Step 3: Close the washer’s lid.
Properly close the lid of your washing machine. Avoid adding detergent and other chemicals to your washer as it may cause excessive suds, which can block your system and prevent the washer from properly draining.
Step 4: Select the Clean Washer Cycle.
Turn the knob and select the Clean Washer Cycle on the control panel. Then press the START/Pause button for 3 seconds to run the cycle.
Step 5: Check the display.
After 58 minutes, the Clean Washer Cycle should stop. At the same time, the CL code will disappear.
Step 6: Wipe away the residue.
Use a clean microfiber cloth or affresh® washing machine wipes to remove any residue at the bottom of the drum. Since the tablets dissolve slowly throughout the cycle, you might see a little bit of residue, which is completely normal.
Step 7: Close the washer’s lid.
Leave the washer’s lid open, allowing the drum and other internal components to fully dry.
Using Liquid Chlorine Bleach
Although Maytag recommends the use of affresh® tablets, you might be able to use liquid chlorine bleach as an alternative option. But before doing so, check your user manual because bleach can’t be used in some front-load models.
Follow these steps to run a Clean Washer Cycle using liquid chlorine bleach.
Step 1: Prepare your Maytag washer.
Plug in and turn on your washing machine. Remove any items inside the drum before running a cleaning cycle.
Step 2: Add the liquid chlorine bleach.
Only pour 1 cup (236 ml) of liquid chlorine bleach into the detergent dispenser. Adding more than the recommended amount can cause damage to your washing machine over time.
Step 3: Close the washer’s lid.
Close the lid of your washing machine. Don’t add detergent or other cleaning agents to your washer after this procedure.
Step 4: Select the Clean Washer Cycle.
Turn the knob and select the Clean Washer Cycle, then press the START/Pause button for 3 seconds to run the cycle.
Step 5: Check the display.
The Clean Washer Cycle will run for about 58 minutes. Once it stops, check the display and confirm if the CL code has cleared.
Step 6: Wipe away the residue.
Use a clean microfiber cloth or affresh® washing machine wipes to remove any residue at the bottom of the drum.
Step 7: Close the washer’s lid.
Leave the washer’s lid open to allow the drum and other internal components to fully dry.
How to Clear a CL Code on Maytag Washer
The CL code will automatically disappear once the Clean Washer Cycle ends. But if the code doesn’t, here are a few ways to troubleshoot your washing machine.
Step 1: Press the Pause/Cancel button.
Try clearing the code by pressing the Pause/Cancel button twice. Then, click on the power button once.
If the CL code is still there, follow the next step.
Step 2: Reset your Maytag washer.
Unplug your washing machine’s power cord to reset it. If your unit is hardwired into the power supply, turn it off from your circuit breaker by flipping the switch to the off position.
Then, reconnect your washer to its power supply after one minute. Check the display to confirm that the code has disappeared.
Step 3: Contact Maytag customer support.
If the CL code doesn’t disappear after you’ve performed the first two steps, get in touch with repair services to have your washing machine diagnosed. There might be other underlying issues that need fixing.
FAQs
Can baking soda damage my washing machine?
Baking soda is safe to use on most, but not all, washing machines. It can effectively remove hard water deposits, grime, and odor-causing bacteria, keeping your appliance fresh and clean.
Always refer to your Use and Care Guidelines to determine if it’s safe to use on your particular washer model.
How often do I need to clean my washing machine?
You should clean a washing machine at least once every month to prevent detergent, fabric softener, and lint from building up inside the drum. But with heavy use, you’ll have to clean it more frequently to prevent clogs and odors from developing.
The Clean Washer Cycle appears after 30 washes to remind you that your appliance needs routine cleaning.
How long does a Maytag washer take to run a Clean Washer Cycle?
A Maytag washing machine’s Clean Washer Cycle lasts about 58 minutes, which must be completed without interruption for a deep and thorough cleanse. You should schedule these monthly clean-ups ahead of time.
If you interrupt a Clean Washer Cycle or open the lid mid-way, it will affect the efficiency of the process, resulting in poor cleaning results.
Why are my affresh® tablets not dissolving?
Having a little bit of residue at the bottom of the washer is normal, but if the tablet is mostly undissolved, it could be expired. If the tablet is past the expiration date, you should no longer use it to clean your washer.
However, if your tablets aren’t expired, the water might not be hot enough to dissolve them. You can open the tap closest to your washer to flush the hot water through the supply lines.
Wipe the bottom of the drum with a clean microfiber cloth to remove any residue that can build up and clog your washer. Then, pop in a new tablet before running a new cycle.
