REF: https://www.maytag.com/content/dam/global/documents/200902/owners-manual-W10240444-RevA.pdf
On Page 11, "Washer Care" it states: "After every 45 cycles, the Clean Washer Reminder status light glows. Light can be deactivated by running the Clean Washer with AFFRESH cycle or you can press the Reminder Reset button and start the Clean Washer Reminder cycle count over again."
So to answer your question, it is a cycle count and not a sense of dirtiness.
However, you don't have to use AFFRESH. You can add 1 cup of liquid chlorine bleach to the bleach dispenser. You can find this procedure also on Page 11 - see "Begin Procedure" under Washer Care.