Maytag is known to be one of the most reliable washers out right now. Mine has been through thousands of wash cycles, and I do not regret the purchase.
But now and then, dirt might clog up over the filter and must be manually cleaned.
Through this article, I will show you how you can clean the filter of your Maytag washing machine and get it cleaning your clothes again.
To follow the steps and clean your filter effectively, you might require these items:
Cleaning A Maytag Washer Filter
The filter of a Maytag washing machine can be found and cleaned behind a dispenser drawer on the right side of the front base of the washer.
In the case of top-loading washers, the filters are in the center of the agitator tube and can be cleaned by taking the agitator cap off.
1. Open the dispenser drawer
The first step in cleaning the filter is to locate and open the drain dispenser drawer. It can be found on the right side of the washer’s front base, allowing it to protect the drain pump.
To do this, you must push down the drawer’s tab on the right side and simultaneously push it up on the left side.
The next step in cleaning the drain pump filter in a Maytag front load washer is to drain the pump hose.
2. Drain hose
Follow these steps to drain the pump hose without spillage properly-
- Lay a towel on the floor and place a container on top of it.
- Unclasp the pump hose from the clip found near it.
- Safely remove the plug found at the end of the hose.
- Pour out the hose into the container without spilling.
- Continue this process by emptying the container and draining it as needed.
- When sure that the draining is complete, place the hose plug back in.
- Ensure the drain hose is secure in its clip.
3. Remove the drain pump filter
After draining the pump hose, we can move on to properly remove the drain pump filter from the washer for further cleaning.
Follow these steps to remove the drain pump filter from a Maytag washer
- Leave the towel where it was earlier to avoid cleaning the floor.
- Reach for the filter and turn it counterclockwise.
- Continue turning until it starts to loosen from its position.
- Pull the filter straight out and keep it over the towel for lint to fall on.
If you have trouble finding the filter, it might help to grab a flashlight and use it to see where it is and how you can reach it.
4. Dispose of dirt and debris
Once the filter has been removed safely, you can begin the cleaning process by following these easy steps-
- Use a damp cleaning cloth to gently wipe away lint and dirt buildup without damaging the filter. Keep a towel below for the dirt to fall on.
- Fill a bowl or bucket big enough to submerge the filter with hot water and about a tablespoon of dish soap or laundry detergent.
- After leaving it in for about 10 minutes, scrub the filter gently with a soft brush to remove buildup.
5. Put the filter back in
When you are done with cleaning, carefully replace the filter to its original place and turn it clockwise to secure its position.
Compared to appliances like dryers, newer washing machine filters do not need to be dried before replacing them. This is because they will get wet again anyway.
While you do that, here are a few simple tips to keep your washer filter clean-
- Brush out the lint from fluffy jackets and coats before putting them in the washing machine.
- Do not try to wash rugs and other heavy articles in your washer.
- Empty the pockets and remove all foreign objects that might cause a problem before you throw them in the washer.
6. Seal the dispenser drawer
After you replace the filter, it is time for the dispenser drawer to be returned to where it was. Start by holding the dispenser drawer over where you took it out.
You can now carefully insert both ends of the drawer on its rails simultaneously. When the drawer is placed correctly on the rails, a clicking sound can be heard, which confirms it.
After ensuring it is placed correctly, try pushing the drawer in and pulling it back out to ensure it opens and closes as intended.
While in this step, you should also run a quick wash cycle to flush out the freshly cleaned filter properly. If you notice any leaks, remove the filter and try again.
What Are Some Things To Remember While Cleaning A Maytag Washer Filter?
When your Maytag washer’s filter functions normally, it keeps debris and lint from clothing away from the drain pump, preventing clogging and damage.
However, like almost all filters, Maytag washer filters can get clogged over months of collecting dirt and lint. They can also be blocked off or stopped by a large object.
I recommend timely cleanings and checkups on the filter to keep things from getting out of hand. This period could vary from 3 months to 6 months, depending on your load and cycles.
Even before cleaning, ensure the washer has been turned off and unplugged from the wall. Electrical appliances must never be repaired if they are turned on.
Once that is out use gloves and place a towel under your Maytag washer. Removing a filter can bring out much dirt, much more than you might expect.
Do All Maytag Washers Have Filters In The Same Place?
In Maytag’s top-loading washing machines, the filters are in the center of the agitator tube. They can be removed by removing the agitator cap and pulling the filter upward.
Lint and debris can be removed by scrubbing, soaking, and cleaning before replacing the filter.
However, the location for the Maytag washer filter in front-loading machines is behind a dispenser drawer on the right side of the washer’s front base, which allows it to protect the drain pump.
This filter can be removed and cleaned by opening the drawer, draining the hose, and removing the filter to clean it thoroughly.
In both cases, you can also purchase an entirely new filter for your washer and replace the older filter with it if the old filter seems too dirty or not repairable.
Final Remarks
It’s a sorry sight when you set out to get laundry done but are instead met with dirty clothes because of the filter. Well, here’s how you can clean it in quick and easy steps.
- Open the dispenser drawer
- Drain hose
- Remove the drain pump filter
- Dispose of dirt and debris
- Put the filter back in
- Seal the dispenser drawer
My name is Rick Kinney and I am the founder of ExHandyman. I have worked as a handyman for many years, and fixing stuff is my greatest pleasure in life.