Whirlpool Cabrio Top-Loading High-Efficiency Low-Water Washer Use and Care Guide

Cleaning with Less Water

The most striking difference is the low-water impeller wash system. The washer automatically adjusts the water level to the load size – no water level selector is needed.

Diagram: Shows a traditional agitator-style washing machine next to a washer with a low-water impeller wash system. The impeller moves the load through the water using less water and energy.

Choosing the Right Detergent

Use only High Efficiency (HE) detergents, marked "HE" or "High Efficiency." Low-water washing creates excessive sudsing with regular non-HE detergent, which can lead to longer cycle times, reduced rinsing, component failures, mold, or mildew. HE detergents are formulated for optimal suds.

When loading, fill the washer evenly around the basket wall. After starting the cycle, the lid locks, and the washer senses the load to determine the correct water level. This may take several minutes.

Water is added as the basket turns slowly. The clothes will settle as they dampen and move; this is normal.

IMPORTANT: You will not see a full basket of water like with older agitator-style washers.

H2Low™ Concentrated Cleaning

This system delivers detergent directly to soils for concentrated cleaning, unlike agitator-style washers that dilute detergent.

Normal Sounds You Can Expect

You may hear different sounds than your previous washer. These can include clicking (lid lock self-test), humming, and whirring sounds (impeller movement). Sometimes, the washer may be silent as it determines the water level or allows clothes to soak.

1. Sort and prepare your laundry

Tips:

• Empty pockets (coins, buttons can get trapped).
• Sort by cycle, temperature, and colorfastness.
• Separate heavily soiled from lightly soiled.
• Separate delicates from sturdy fabrics.
• Do not dry stained garments; heat sets stains. Treat stains promptly.
• Close zippers, fasten hooks, tie strings/sashes. Remove non-washable trim.
• Mend rips and tears to prevent further damage.
• Use mesh bags for delicates or small items to prevent tangling.
• Turn knits inside out to prevent pilling. Separate lint-takers from lint-givers.
• Always follow fabric care label instructions.

2. Load laundry into washer

Load garments in loose heaps evenly around the basket wall. Mix different sized items to reduce tangling.

IMPORTANT: Items must move freely for best cleaning and to reduce wrinkling/tangling.

3. Add HE detergent to dispenser

Use a measured amount of HE detergent. Follow manufacturer's instructions for quantity based on load size.

4. Add liquid chlorine bleach dispenser

Do not overfill, dilute, or use more than 3/4 cup (180 mL). Do not use color-safe bleach or Oxi products with liquid chlorine bleach.

5. Add fabric softener to dispenser

Pour measured liquid fabric softener into the dispenser. Select the Fabric Softener option for automatic dispensing.

6. Press POWER to turn on washer

Press the POWER button to begin.

7. Select cycle

Turn the cycle knob to choose the desired wash cycle. The Estimated Time Remaining display will show the cycle time. Adjustments may occur during the cycle.

Use the DELAY WASH option to set a delayed start.

To cancel a delay, press START/PAUSE to start immediately.

IMPORTANT: For delayed cycles, use liquid HE detergent only. Powdered detergents may clump.

8. Select cycle settings

After selecting a cycle, default settings are lit. Press buttons to change Soil Level, Spin Speed, and Wash/Rinse Temperature as needed. Not all settings are available for all cycles.

Wash Temp Suggestions:

• Hot: Uses some cold water for energy saving; may be cooler than your home's hot water setting. Best for whites and pastels, durable garments, heavy soils.
• Warm: Uses some cold water; may be cooler than previous washers. Best for bright colors, moderate to light soils.
• Cold: Uses warm water for soil removal and detergent dissolution. Best for dark colors that bleed or fade, light soils.

Always read and follow garment care labels.

9. Select cycle options

Add other desired options like Deep Clean or Extra Rinse. These can be deactivated if not needed.

10. Press and hold START/PAUSE to begin wash cycle

Press START/PAUSE to begin. The "DONE" indicator and cycle signal will sound when finished. Promptly remove garments to prevent odors, reduce wrinkling, and prevent rust on metal parts.

You can open the lid to add 1-2 missed garments if the "Add a Garment" indicator is lit. Press START/PAUSE; the lid unlocks when the washer stops moving.

If the lid is left open for over 10 minutes, water will drain.

Water Inlet Hoses

Replace inlet hoses every 5 years to prevent failure. Inspect periodically for bulges, kinks, cuts, wear, or leaks.

Cleaning Your Washer

Keep the washer clean and fresh. For odor-free interior, perform monthly cleaning:

1. Ensure washer is empty.
2. Add one tablet of recommended AFFRESH® washer cleaner to the drum, OR add 1 cup (250 mL) liquid chlorine bleach to the bleach dispenser.
3. Close lid, press POWER, select CLEAN WASHER with AFFRESH™ cycle, and press START/PAUSE.

IMPORTANT: Do not add detergent to the CLEAN WASHER cycle. Do not use more bleach than recommended.

To clean exterior: Wipe spills with a damp cloth. Use all-purpose cleaner if needed. Do not use abrasive products.

Cleaning Your Dispensers

Wipe dispensers with a damp cloth and towel dry to remove residue.

Non-Use and Vacation Care

Operate washer only when home. If moving or not using for a period:

1. Unplug or disconnect power.
2. Turn off water supply to prevent flooding.

Winter Storage Care

IMPORTANT: Store where it will not freeze. To winterize:

1. Shut off water faucets, disconnect and drain inlet hoses.
2. Add 1 qt. (1 L) of R.V.-type antifreeze to the basket and run RINSE AND SPIN for 30 seconds.
3. Unplug or disconnect power.

Reinstalling/Using Washer Again

After non-use, storage, or moving:

1. Refer to installation instructions for placement, leveling, and connection.
2. Before reuse, flush water pipes/hoses, reconnect hoses, turn on faucets, plug in washer.
3. Run BULKY ITEMS cycle with half the recommended amount of HE detergent to clean the washer and remove antifreeze.

Vibration or Off-Balance

• Vibration/Rocking/Walking: Ensure feet contact floor and are locked. Check if washer is level. Adjust feet and jam nuts. Check floor for unevenness; use plywood if needed.
• Vibration during spinning/Washer stopped with lights flashing: Load may be unbalanced. Load items evenly, mix sizes. Avoid single items. Redistribute load, close lid, press START. Use Bulky Item cycle for oversized items. Ensure item/load is suitable for selected cycle.

Noises

• Clicking/Metallic: Objects caught in drain system (empty pockets first). Metal items on clothing may cause noise. Call for service if pump is blocked.
• Gurgling/Humming: Normal pump sounds during drain/spin cycles.

Water Leaks

• Washer not level: Water may splash off. Tighten fill-hose connection.
• Fill hoses not attached tightly: Tighten connection.
• Fill hose washers: Ensure all four washers are seated correctly.
• Drain hose connection: Secure drain hose to drainpipe/tub. Do not tape over drain opening.
• Household plumbing: Check for leaks or clogged sinks/drains.
• Washer not loaded as recommended: Unbalanced load can cause splashing. Refer to loading instructions.

Washer not performing as expected

• Not enough water: Normal for HE low-water washer; load won't be fully submerged. Washer senses load size and adds correct water. Do not add extra water, as it reduces cleaning effectiveness.
• Washer won't run/fill, stops: Check water supply (hoses attached, faucets on, screens clear, no kinks). Check electrical supply (plugged in, outlet has power, breaker/fuses okay). Lid must be closed. Washer may pause or stop for suds. It spins before filling to determine load size.
• Washer not loaded as recommended: Remove items, redistribute load, add detergent, close lid, press START/PAUSE. Do not add items after cycle starts. Do not add more water.
• Not using HE detergent/using too much: Regular detergent causes excess suds, slowing/stopping washer. Use only HE detergent, measure correctly. To remove suds, cancel, select DRAIN & SPIN, then restart cycle without detergent.
• Washer not draining/spinning, loads wet: Small items may be caught in pump. Use cycles with appropriate spin speed. Load not packed too tightly.
• Incorrect wash/rinse temps: Check water supply. Hoses may be reversed (HC error code). Energy Star washers use cooler temps. Check inlet valve screens. Remove kinks.
• Load not rinsed: Check water supply. Hoses may be reversed. Faucets must be on. Inlet screens may be clogged. Remove kinks. Regular detergent causes issues. Use only HE detergent, measure correctly. Washer rinses less effectively with tightly packed loads. Load evenly, mix item types. Use correct cycle. Add 1-2 items after start. Select Fabric Softener option if using softener. Add Extra Rinse if needed.
• Sand, pet hair, lint: May require extra rinse. Add Extra Rinse.
• Load tangling: Load evenly, mix item types. Use recommended cycle. Select slower wash/spin action for less wrinkling (items will be wetter).

Error Codes

• oL (overloaded): Too large a load. Drain/refill, remove items, add HE detergent, close lid, press START/PAUSE.
• uL (unbalanced load): Load not balanced. Allow correction routine. If stopped, redistribute, close lid, press START/PAUSE.
• LF (too long to fill): Check drain hose installation (not too far into standpipe). Check plumbing.
• Ld (too long to drain): Check drain hose installation (not too far into standpipe). Check plumbing. Lower hose if needed.
• HC (Hot/Cold hoses reversed): Cold hose connected to hot inlet, hot to cold. Code appears at end of cycle.
• Sd (Excess suds): Too much suds. Allow to continue. Use only HE detergent, measure correctly. If flashing, reselect cycle with cold wash, press START/PAUSE. Do not add detergent.
• dL (Lid cannot lock): Item under lid. Check for obstructions.
• lid (Lid opened): Lid left open. Close lid. If open >10 min, cycle resets, water drains.
• dU (Lid cannot unlock): Objects on lid. Remove objects.
• F## (error code): System error. Press START/PAUSE once to clear, then again to restart. Call service if it reappears.