Kenmore Washer How to Use: Settings, Cycles, and Detergent

Quick Answer

To use a Kenmore washer, select the cycle based on fabric type, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of HE detergent, and press Start. The most important step is using High Efficiency detergent to prevent sudsing and sensor errors.

Most Kenmore washer problems I see aren't mechanical at all. Wrong detergent, overstuffed drum, never running a cleaning cycle. Ignore that stuff long enough and you're looking at 5d suds codes, UE balance errors, and a door gasket that smells like a gym locker. The fix is almost always free and takes about two minutes.

KenmoreWasherSeverity: low

Time to Fix

5–15 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

$0 (no parts needed)

Tools Needed

Measuring spoon or tablespoon measure, Affresh washer cleaning tablet or equivalent

Kenmore Washer How to Use: Settings, Cycles, and Detergent

OK so here's the deal. The 796 series (LG-built front-loaders) and the 110 series (Whirlpool-built) both say Kenmore on the front but they behave differently enough that it actually matters. The number one call I get is excess suds from regular detergent. Second is overloading. Both are completely avoidable. This guide covers the stuff that actually causes problems in the real world.

Common Causes

Using regular non-HE detergent produces way too many suds for the low-water wash action these machines use, which almost always triggers a 5d or Sd error code and sends the machine into a long rinse loop.
Overstuffing the drum past three-quarters capacity keeps clothes from tumbling freely, so they don't get properly wet or rinsed and the motor works harder than it should.
Never running a monthly Tub Clean cycle lets detergent residue and biofilm build up inside the gasket folds and drum, which is where that funky mildew smell is coming from.
Closing the door completely between washes traps moisture inside the drum and gasket, and that standing moisture is basically an invitation for mildew.
Washing a single heavy item like one soaking wet bath mat without adding other items to balance the load almost always triggers a UE or UB unbalance error mid-spin.

Symptoms You May Notice

The washer stops mid-cycle and throws a 5d or Sd code on the display, usually during the rinse phase when the suds sensor can't detect water level properly.
Clothes come out still dingy or stiff, especially from a packed-tight drum where the water never really circulated through everything.
There's a musty smell every time you open the door, and it transfers to freshly washed clothes within a few hours of them sitting in the drum.
The machine shakes hard during the spin cycle and sometimes inches across the floor, usually from an unbalanced load or leveling feet that have loosened over time.

Can you reset a Kenmore washer to clear the HOW-TO-USE code?

There's no reset needed for normal operation. But if the washer stops mid-cycle for no clear reason, unplug it from the wall for 60 seconds, then plug it back in. That clears most temporary faults. If an error code comes up on the display, don't just power-cycle and ignore it. Look up the specific code for your Kenmore series because some codes mean something needs attention before you run another load.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Measuring spoon or tablespoon measureAffresh washer cleaning tablet or equivalentSoft cloth for gasket cleaningWhite vinegar or diluted bleach (for gasket mildew)Pliers (for adjusting leveling feet if needed)

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Did the fix not work?

If the problem comes back after following these steps, a component has permanently failed and needs replacement. Check the specific error code your washer is showing:

HUB Error →

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of detergent should I use in a Kenmore front-load washer?

Always HE. The bottle will literally say HE on the label, usually with a little symbol. Regular detergent is way too sudsy for the low-water wash action these machines use, and you'll trigger the 5d error code almost every single time. When that happens the machine goes into an extended rinse loop trying to clear the foam, which wastes water and time. I fixed what a neighbor thought was a failing control board last year and it turned out he'd been using regular Tide for six months straight. Just grab the HE version. It's usually the same price anyway.

How full should I load my Kenmore washer?

Three-quarters full is the rule. Press down on your load with your hand. If it springs back and there's a little room above it, you're good. If you're shoving stuff down to make it fit, that's too much. A packed drum keeps clothes from getting fully wet, which means they don't actually get clean, and it puts extra strain on the motor. I've seen LE motor overload codes on machines that were otherwise perfectly fine just from someone running max loads every single day for a year.

Why does my Kenmore washer smell bad even when I clean it?

That smell is mildew living in the gasket folds, not just on the surface. Pull back the rubber door seal all the way around and wipe inside the folds with a cloth dampened with white vinegar or a little diluted bleach. It's usually pretty unpleasant in there. Also run a Tub Clean cycle with an Affresh tablet. Then leave the door cracked after every wash, even just an inch, so moisture can escape. If you've been closing it completely for years it might take three or four cleaning cycles before the smell fully goes away.

Can I wash a king-size comforter in my Kenmore washer?

Only if your model has at least 4.5 cubic feet of drum capacity, and even then some king comforters are borderline. Load it by itself, nothing else. Select the Bulky or Bedding cycle. If the comforter completely fills the drum and you can't move it around at all, it's too big and you'll get an unbalance error mid-spin. Honestly for a big fluffy down comforter I send people to the laundromat. A 20-pound commercial machine handles it way better and you don't risk stressing your home washer's bearings or getting a soaking wet half-washed comforter stuck mid-cycle.

How do I use the delay start feature on my Kenmore washer?

Load everything up, add your detergent, pick your cycle and temperature settings. Then press the Delay Start button and use the plus or minus arrows to set how many hours out you want it to kick on. Some Kenmore models call it Delay Wash instead of Delay Start, so look for either. Press Start to lock it in and the display will count down to the start time. One thing though: don't use delay start with chlorine bleach sitting in the dispenser drawer for more than a couple hours because it can degrade the plastic tray over time.

What causes my Kenmore washer to vibrate or walk across the floor during spin?

Usually two things. First, unbalanced load. One or two heavy items with nothing to balance them out will make the drum wobble hard at high spin speeds. Add a few towels to even out the weight. Second, the leveling feet. The four feet on the bottom have lock nuts that loosen over time, and even a small tilt makes spin vibration way worse. Tip the machine forward slightly, check all four feet, and tighten the lock nuts with pliers. Takes five minutes and it fixes the problem probably 70% of the time.

Can I use pods instead of liquid HE detergent?

Yes, pods work fine as long as they're the HE variety, which most of the major brands are. Toss the pod directly into the drum before you load your clothes, not in the dispenser drawer. The dispenser drawer doesn't get enough water flow at the start of certain cycles to dissolve the pod properly and you'll end up with detergent residue on your clothes. One pod is enough for a normal load. Don't use two thinking it'll clean better, that's how you end up with suds codes.

Related Kenmore Washer Error Codes

Code: HUBKenmore Washer Error Codes Guide

Models Known to Experience HOW-TO-USE Errors

This repair applies to most Kenmore washers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

21302, 28133, 49032, 41162, 41302, 28002, 796.31422410, 110.26002011

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026