The Kenmore front load washer tub clean cycle is a maintenance cycle that you run with the drum empty, usually with a tub-cleaner tablet if your manual calls for one, to control odor and residue buildup inside the machine. On LG-built Kenmore washers the display reminds you with the code tCL, which is not a fault: it means it is time to run the Tub Clean cycle. This guide explains what the reminder means, how to run the cycle, how to care for the door seal and drawer between cycles, and what to do if the washer still smells or the reminder will not clear. It applies to LG-built front-load washers such as the 796 family, not to Whirlpool-built top-loaders.
What does tCL mean on a Kenmore washer?
Our tCL code page says tCL is not a problem: it means it is time to run the Tub Clean cycle on your LG-built Kenmore washer. It is a maintenance reminder, and the control tracks the cycle count and prompts a tub-cleaning cycle periodically. The signs on the page are that the display shows tCL, the reminder appears after a set number of regular cycles, the washer otherwise runs and performs normally, and the reminder clears once Tub Clean is run. No technician visit is needed for the reminder itself.
What does the Tub Clean cycle do?
The cycle runs the washer with nothing in the drum so that water and, where the manual says to, a tub-cleaner tablet can flush the inside of the tub. Our page describes it as an empty cycle, sometimes with a tub-cleaner tablet, run per the owner’s manual, and says running it periodically helps control odor and residue buildup. Front-load washers have a rubber door seal, so detergent residue and damp air can leave a musty smell. Our page presents Tub Clean as the routine for controlling odor and residue. The Kenmore 796.4044 on our site is described as an LG-built front-load washer with a stainless steel drum and a tumble-action drum, discontinued but still serviced.
How do you run the Tub Clean cycle step by step?
- Empty the washer completely. Check the drum and the door seal for a sock or a small item.
- Check your owner’s manual for how your model wants the cycle run, and whether it uses a tub-cleaner tablet or just water.
- If a tablet is called for, put it in the place the manual shows.
- Select the Tub Clean cycle from the control panel and start it.
- When it finishes, open the door and look at the drum and the seal. Wipe away any loosened residue with a clean cloth.
- Confirm tCL has cleared from the display.
Do not mix cleaning products, and in particular never put bleach and another cleaner together in the drum, because that can release harmful fumes. Use only what the manual allows.
How do you care for the door seal and drawer between cycles?
The rubber door seal, also called the gasket, can hold water and residue in its folds. After a load, wipe the visible folds with a dry cloth and leave the door ajar so the drum dries. Pull the seal gently away from the drum and look behind it for debris such as hair, lint or small items. Wipe the detergent drawer area as well, and remove the drawer if the manual says it comes out. Use only as much detergent as the manual specifies. Our Kenmore washer Sud code guide covers the problem of too many suds, which is a sign of too much detergent. Keep in mind that Whirlpool-built Kenmore washers read Sud and F8E1, while LG-built 796 washers read OE, IE, UE and dE, which is why the prefix on your model matters.
Why does the tCL reminder keep coming back?
It is supposed to. Our code page says the reminder appears periodically after a set number of regular cycles. If it comes back right after you have run Tub Clean, check that the cycle ran all the way through and was not stopped or interrupted, and that you started the Tub Clean cycle and not an ordinary cycle. If it still returns immediately, our page says a technician should confirm the cause before any part is replaced. Do not cut the power or press buttons repeatedly to force it away.
What if the washer still smells or does not drain?
A musty smell that remains after Tub Clean may point to residue in the drain pump filter or the drain path. A washer that shows OE has a drain problem; our guide to the 796 oE code explains it, and Kenmore washer not draining lists the checks. An unbalanced load code is covered in the UE guide. Do not open the cabinet, work on the pump or reach into the drain path while the washer is plugged in. Switch the breaker off if you see a leak.
When should you book a technician?
Book one if the washer leaks, drains slowly, shows a code other than tCL, or still smells after you have cleaned the tub, the seal and the drawer. Our Kenmore washer repair technicians clear the drain path and test the inlet valve, the door lock and the drive. We are an independent repair company, not a factory service arm. For machine installation, see Kenmore washer installation. You can book a visit with your model number.
