Was the washer recently installed?

Before washing your first load of clothes, it is recommended that you run an empty cycle. This initial cycle ensures the drum is clean and the dispenser is ready for use. Add HE detergent to the dispenser, select "Quick Wash," and start the load. 

Was the correct wash temperature selected, and were the hoses connected correctly?

• If warmer water temperatures are safe for the fabrics being washed, use hot or warm washes. Check the garment fabric care labels for temperature recommendations. Using the wrong temperature on specific garments can lead to discoloration. You can also use the Casual or Delicate cycle to increase the washer's water level and help reduce the chance of dye transfer.

• Check your water inlet hoses for proper connection to the household water supply. Ensure that the hot water inlet hose is connected to the hot water supply and that the cold water inlet hose is connected to the cold water supply. Reversed inlet hoses can result in warm rinsing water, setting wrinkles into garments that require cold water rinses. See the Installation Instructions for details.

• The hot and cold water faucets should be connected and turned on.  Turn on the water. Check the household faucets to see if the hot and cold water faucets are turned on. Make sure to open both faucets completely for proper fill.

Was the correct cycle and settings selected?

Cycle selection is key to getting your clothes clean and fresh. Each cycle is an optimized combination of three main factors: agitation/tumbling speed, spin speed, and water temperature, all tailored for different fabric types and soil levels. 

TEMPERATURE: Temperature Control senses and maintains uniform water temperatures by regulating incoming hot and cold water. Select a wash temperature based on the type of fabric and soils being washed. For best results, follow the garment label instructions and use the warmest wash water safe for your fabric. Warm and hot water may be cooler than what your previous washer provided. Even for cold wash settings, some warm water may be added to the washer to maintain a minimum temperature.

SOIL LEVEL: Soil Level (wash time) is preset for each wash cycle. As you touch the soil level pad, the cycle time (in minutes) will increase or decrease in the estimated time remaining displayed, and a different wash time will be displayed. Select the most suitable setting for your load. For heavily soiled items, select Extra Heavy Soil Level or the Extra Power button for more wash time. For lightly soiled items, select Light Soil Level for less wash time. Lighter soil level setting will help reduce tangling and wrinkling.

SPIN SPEED  This washer automatically selects the spin speed according to the selected cycle. The preset speeds can be changed. Not all spin speeds are available with all cycles.  Faster spin speeds mean shorter dry times, but may increase wrinkling in your load. Slower spin speeds mean less wrinkling, but could leave your load damper

Refer to the "Cycle Guide" in the Use and Care Manual for specific instructions on the items you are washing.

Are you using HE or High-Efficiency Detergent?

Detergent works by attaching to soils and carrying them away. Detergent also softens hard water, which makes soil removal easier. Use only HE or High-Efficiency detergent. Always measure detergent. If you have very soft water, you may need to use less detergent. Using non-HE detergent or more than the manufacturer's recommended amount can cause excessive suds and poor cleaning performance. The excess suds can cause the washer to run at a reduced spin speed, resulting in very wet loads or error codes. 

HE detergents come in many different concentration levels, such as 2x, 4x, and 8x.  It is important to follow the detergent manufacturer's dosage amount based on soil level and load size. Detergent pacs also come in different sizes; larger pre-measured ones should only be used for large or heavily soiled loads.   

Maytag recommends using Swash® laundry detergent. 

For more information on the importance of HE detergent use in your washer, check out HE Detergent use in a Washer.

Were Laundry Additives used?

• Fabric Softener: Measure the softener to avoid staining or graying that occurs with excessive use. Dilute the softener and add it to the rinse portion of a cycle only. Adding it to the wash water will cause staining. Do not drip the softener on clothes. When washing smaller loads, use the correct softener appropriate for the load size. Using too much softener on smaller loads will cause discoloration on clothing.
• Liquid Chlorine Bleach: Follow the garment and the chlorine-bleach manufacturers' directions for proper use. Undiluted bleach will damage any fabric it touches. The damage appears as rips, holes, tears, or color loss and may not show up until several washings later. To avoid spilling, use a cup with a pouring spout. Do not let bleach splash, drip, or run into the washer basket. Always measure liquid chlorine bleach; do not guess. Do not use more than the manufacturer's recommended amount for a full load.

Were the clothes properly loaded? 

To clean properly, the load items must move freely in the washer. You may need to reduce your load size. For best performance, load items in loose heaps evenly around the washplate.

Sort loads before laundering—separate dark load items from lights and whites. Mixing different colors may result in dye transferring to the lighter-color items, giving them a dingy appearance.

Have you run a Clean Washer Cycle?

If you feel that the clothes are not coming clean or the washer level is lower than when you first started using this washer, try running a Clean Washer cycle. This cycle re-calibrates the control and resets it to the factory-set water levels. This cycle should be run approximately one time per month (using the affresh® Washer cleaner), and this will re-calibrate the control every time the Clean Washer cycle is used. This will also ensure that your washer is free from build-up that can occur over time from detergent and fabric softener. 

For more information on cleaning the Interior of a Washer, check out this article.