--- title: "Café ice maker — Time to Clean light" description: "What Time to Clean light means on Café ice maker — Time to Clean lights, what to check before booking, and when it is not a failure at all." url: "https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/cafe-time-to-clean/" --- # Café ice maker — Time to Clean light Café's manual describes a two-stage reminder: the indicator turns on after five months to say it's time to order cleaner, then flashes after six months to say it's time to actually run the cleaning cycle. ## What Time to Clean light actually means. Café's manual describes a two-stage reminder: the indicator turns on after five months to say it's time to order cleaner, then flashes after six months to say it's time to actually run the cleaning cycle. Café home appliance display What to do when Time to Clean light shows on the home appliance ### Kind of code Reminders, not failures Nothing has broken; the appliance has been counting hours, cycles or gallons and is asking for its routine care. A refrigerator lights a filter icon after about six months of water, a front-load washer suggests a tub-clean cycle after a set number of loads, a steam oven or a dishwasher asks for descaling or rinse aid, and some dryers remind you to check the exhaust. Do the task the reminder names, reset it the way the manual describes, and write the date in the service record. ### Usually leads to No service Order the specific ice-maker cleaner Café's manual calls for once the light turns on steady. ### Shows up as Water or Ice Tasting Stale: Filter Age, Scale and Idle Lines Water or ice tasting stale is dispenser water, cubes or nugget ice with a flat, musty, chemical or freezer-food taste, often cloudy, slow to come or smaller than it used to be. ### Make Café Café owners usually book for the refrigerator's water filter and coil, the range's burners and hood, and sometimes a Café laundry pair with its lint path. ### Source Café ice maker owner's manual Applies to Café's freestanding nugget and clear-ice countertop makers using this two-stage Time to Clean indicator. ## Before you book, in this order. Each step comes from Café's own guidance for Time to Clean light on its home appliances. Follow it to the end: the last card says whether this is a visit. 01 Order the specific ice-maker cleaner Café's manual calls for once the light turns on steady. 02 Run the internal cleaning cycle using that cleaner once the light starts flashing. 03 Follow the manual's cleaning-cycle steps in full rather than stopping partway through. 04 Reset or clear the indicator per the control panel once the clean is complete. ### Cleared? The reminder is gone from the display, the filter, the screen or the tub has been cleaned or swapped, and the appliance runs a full cycle without calling for it again. A clean-filter light or a descale prompt that returns in days rather than months usually means the part it watches is fouling faster than normal, so mention that when you book. ### What not to do This is a scheduled hygiene reminder tied to a cycle counter, not a sign the compressor or ice-making mechanism has failed; ice production continuing normally alongside the light is expected until the clean is actually overdue. ## What you may notice with it. The home appliance problems Time to Clean light tends to arrive with. Answer these at the home appliance before anyone is booked. [All problems](https://appliancemaintenance.center/problems/) Before you call ### [Water or Ice Tasting Stale: Filter Age, Scale and Idle Lines](https://appliancemaintenance.center/problems/water-or-ice-tasting-stale/) [All 6 causes, cheapest first](https://appliancemaintenance.center/problems/water-or-ice-tasting-stale/) It also comes with - [**White Scale on Appliance Water Parts: Steam Ovens, Ice Makers, Dish Care**](https://appliancemaintenance.center/problems/scale-on-water-parts/) - [**Appliance Maintenance Code or Reminder Light: Filter, Descale, Vent Check**](https://appliancemaintenance.center/problems/appliance-maintenance-code/) Problem ### Water or Ice Tasting Stale: Filter Age, Scale and Idle Lines 6 causes, cheapest first No service indicated ## Nothing to service. Nothing has broken; the appliance has been counting hours, cycles or gallons and is asking for its routine care. A refrigerator lights a filter icon after about six months of water, a front-load washer suggests a tub-clean cycle after a set number of loads, a steam oven or a dishwasher asks for descaling or rinse aid, and some dryers remind you to check the exhaust. Do the task the reminder names, reset it the way the manual describes, and write the date in the service record. [How to read what your home appliance is telling you](https://appliancemaintenance.center/problems/appliance-maintenance-code/) ## Café home appliances. Café owners usually book for the refrigerator's water filter and coil, the range's burners and hood, and sometimes a Café laundry pair with its lint path. [Café home appliance maintenance](https://appliancemaintenance.center/brands/cafe/) More Café codes [Replace Filter light (ice maker)](https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/cafe-replace-filter-ice-maker/) [Replace Water Filter / Water Filter Expired](https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/cafe-refrigerator-filter-messages/) [Low Rinse indicator](https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/cafe-low-rinse-indicator/) Reminders, not failures on other makes [ASKO Sterile Tub alert](https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/asko-sterile-tub-alert/) [Bertazzoni Turn milk froth adjustment knob to CLEAN to start cleaning](https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/bertazzoni-coffee-milk-clean/) [Cove Add rinse aid. Press Enter once added, or press Cancel to ignore.](https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/cove-add-rinse-aid/) [Dacor Rinse Refill](https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/dacor-rinse-refill/) [DCS DOOR flashing](https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/dcs-outdoor-ice-door-flashing/) [Fulgor Milano PRESS CLEAN!](https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/fulgor-milano-coffee-press-clean/) [GE Rinse Aid Indicator Window](https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/ge-low-rinse-aid-indicator/) [LG tCL](https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/lg-washer-tcl/) [All 28 codes of this kind](https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/#family-mode) Café builds this ### Cold storage Upkeep for everything in the house that keeps things cold: refrigerators, freezers, wine and beverage units and ice makers, cleaned and checked before they start struggling. Café builds this ### Cooking appliances Upkeep for ovens, ranges, cooktops, hoods, microwaves, steam and speed ovens: burners and igniters cleaned, gas joints checked, grease filters and descaling done on time. Café builds this ### Dish care Upkeep for dishwashers and disposers: filters rinsed, spray arms cleared, the door seal and drain loop checked, and hard-water scale kept off the parts that heat and spray. ## In Café's own words > TIME TO CLEAN Indicator will turn on after 5 months indicating it is time to order cleaner. Indicator will flash after 6 months [Café ice maker owner's manual](https://images.salsify.com/image/upload/s--3_JJqwRd--/fdfb9c4278609450c9f2aa3b4dc28cf38b10286c.pdf) Every code on this site is taken from the manufacturer's documentation, never from a forum or a parts listing. Applies to Café's freestanding nugget and clear-ice countertop makers using this two-stage Time to Clean indicator. ## Café Time to Clean light home appliance maintenance, where we come out. The same visit in every metro below: the code, the model number, and a diagnosis before any part is ordered. [All service areas](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/) [Tampa Bay](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/tampa-bay/) FL · 31 areas - [Hyde Park](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/tampa-bay/hyde-park/) - [Davis Islands](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/tampa-bay/davis-islands/) - [Palma Ceia](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/tampa-bay/palma-ceia/) - [Westchase](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/tampa-bay/westchase/) - [Carrollwood](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/tampa-bay/carrollwood/) - [Belleair](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/tampa-bay/belleair/) - [St. Pete Beach](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/tampa-bay/st-pete-beach/) - [Palm Harbor](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/tampa-bay/palm-harbor/) [Orlando](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/orlando/) FL · 30 areas - [Winter Park](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/orlando/winter-park/) - [Windermere](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/orlando/windermere/) - [Dr. Phillips](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/orlando/dr-phillips/) - [Bay Hill](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/orlando/bay-hill/) - [Lake Nona](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/orlando/lake-nona/) - [Heathrow](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/orlando/heathrow/) - [Celebration](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/orlando/celebration/) [Miami / South Florida](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/) FL · 47 areas - [Brickell](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/brickell/) - [Coconut Grove](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/coconut-grove/) - [Coral Gables](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/coral-gables/) - [Pinecrest](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/pinecrest/) - [Key Biscayne](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/key-biscayne/) - [Aventura](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/aventura/) - [Sunny Isles Beach](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/sunny-isles-beach/) - [Bal Harbour](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/bal-harbour/) - [Miami Beach](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/miami-beach/) - [Golden Beach](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/golden-beach/) - [Weston](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/weston/) - [Boca Raton](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/boca-raton/) - [Palm Beach](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/south-florida/palm-beach/) [New York Metro](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/) NY · 75 areas - [Upper East Side](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/upper-east-side/) - [Upper West Side](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/upper-west-side/) - [Tribeca](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/tribeca/) - [SoHo](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/soho/) - [Greenwich Village](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/greenwich-village/) - [Battery Park City](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/battery-park-city/) - [Brooklyn Heights](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/brooklyn-heights/) - [Park Slope](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/park-slope/) - [DUMBO](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/dumbo/) - [Forest Hills](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/forest-hills/) - [Great Neck](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/great-neck/) - [Southampton](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/southampton/) - [Scarsdale](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/new-york/scarsdale/) [Houston](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/) TX · 36 areas - [River Oaks](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/river-oaks/) - [Memorial](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/memorial/) - [Tanglewood](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/tanglewood/) - [Greater Heights](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/greater-heights/) - [Kingwood](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/kingwood/) - [Bellaire](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/bellaire/) - [Bunker Hill Village](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/bunker-hill-village/) - [Piney Point Village](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/piney-point-village/) - [Hunters Creek Village](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/hunters-creek-village/) - [Sugar Land](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/sugar-land/) - [Cinco Ranch](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/cinco-ranch/) - [The Woodlands](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/the-woodlands/) - [West University](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/houston/west-university/) [Chicago](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/) IL · 50 areas - [Lincoln Park](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/lincoln-park/) - [Near North Side](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/near-north-side/) - [West Loop / Near West Side](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/west-loop-near-west-side/) - [Wilmette](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/wilmette/) - [Winnetka](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/winnetka/) - [Glencoe](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/glencoe/) - [River Forest](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/river-forest/) - [Oak Park](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/oak-park/) - [Hinsdale](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/hinsdale/) - [Lake Forest](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/lake-forest/) - [Highland Park](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/highland-park/) - [Gold Coast](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/gold-coast/) - [Lakeview](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/chicagoland/lakeview/) [Los Angeles](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/) CA · 95 areas - [Beverly Hills](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/beverly-hills/) - [Bel Air](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/bel-air/) - [Holmby Hills](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/holmby-hills/) - [Brentwood](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/brentwood/) - [Pacific Palisades](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/pacific-palisades/) - [Santa Monica](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/santa-monica/) - [Hancock Park](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/hancock-park/) - [Studio City](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/studio-city/) - [Calabasas](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/calabasas/) - [Manhattan Beach](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/manhattan-beach/) - [Palos Verdes Estates](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/palos-verdes-estates/) - [Pasadena](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/pasadena/) - [San Marino](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/san-marino/) - [Malibu](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/los-angeles/malibu/) [San Diego](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/san-diego/) CA · 31 areas - [La Jolla](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/san-diego/la-jolla/) - [Carmel Valley](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/san-diego/carmel-valley/) - [Point Loma](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/san-diego/point-loma/) - [Del Mar](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/san-diego/del-mar/) - [Rancho Santa Fe](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/san-diego/rancho-santa-fe/) - [Coronado](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/san-diego/coronado/) - [Encinitas](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/san-diego/encinitas/) - [Solana Beach](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/san-diego/solana-beach/) [San Francisco Bay Area](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/) CA · 74 areas - [Pacific Heights](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/pacific-heights/) - [Presidio Heights](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/presidio-heights/) - [Russian Hill](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/russian-hill/) - [Noe Valley](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/noe-valley/) - [Sea Cliff](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/sea-cliff/) - [Hillsborough](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/hillsborough/) - [Atherton](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/atherton/) - [Woodside](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/woodside/) - [Palo Alto](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/palo-alto/) - [Los Altos Hills](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/los-altos-hills/) - [Tiburon](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/tiburon/) - [Piedmont](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/piedmont/) - [Marina](https://appliancemaintenance.center/locations/bay-area/marina/) For the heart of your home. ## Questions about Time to Clean light. ### Can I clear Time to Clean light myself? Order the specific ice-maker cleaner Café's manual calls for once the light turns on steady. If it comes back, it needs a visit. ### What's the difference between the light turning on and flashing? A steady light at five months means it's time to order the cleaner; a flashing light at six months means it's time to actually run the cleaning cycle. ### Can I use any ice maker cleaner? Café's manual calls for a specific cleaner rather than a generic descaler, so it's worth ordering the one named in the manual. ### Will the ice maker stop working if I ignore the Time to Clean light? It will keep making ice for a while, but skipping the clean for a long stretch is how a maintenance reminder turns into a bigger performance problem later. --- **[Read on the site: Café ice maker — Time to Clean light](https://appliancemaintenance.center/error-codes/cafe-time-to-clean/)** **[Book a visit with ApplianceMaintenance.center](https://appliancemaintenance.center/schedule/)**