Why Choose Maytag Washers and Dryers?

Why Choose Maytag?

Maytag introduced its first washing machine in 1907, and the company has been making some of the most durable and reliable appliances on the market ever since. Maytag is an American company that has been at the forefront of appliance technology for more than a hundred years, but are its washers and dryers as reliable as people say they are? We will answer that question by taking a look at the company’s long history and wide range of products. We will also cover how Maytag appliances are made, and we will read the fine print to see what kind of support is offered to consumers who choose the brand.

History

Many of the companies that make the products we buy today have interesting stories, and Maytag is no exception. The company has been in business since 1893, and it has made threshing machines, aircraft components, and tank parts, as well as commercial and domestic appliances. Maytag has weathered economic downturns, world wars, and a host of setbacks, and it has both acquired companies and been acquired. Maytag has remained one of the most respected names in the appliance industry through all of this, so let’s take a closer look at its interesting and eventful history.

Founding and Milestones

Founder Frederick Louis Maytag I, founder of the Maytag Company

The company that would later become Maytag Corporation was originally called the Parsons Band-Cutter & Self Feeder Company, and it was founded in 1893 when Frederick Louis Maytag and three other people each chipped in $600 to go into the threshing machine business. This was a period when working on a farm was extremely dangerous, and hundreds of agricultural workers were killed or seriously injured each year in threshing machine accidents. Maytag’s company addressed this problem with a device that fed straw into threshing machines much more safely, and it became the world’s largest feeder manufacturer in less than 10 years.

This success prompted Maytag to look for other opportunities, and it did not take long to determine that the washing machines of the day were sorely lacking. Maytag’s first washing machine was called the Pastime, and it featured a hand crank that pulled clothes along the sides of a corrugated wooden tub. The Pastime also had a pulley that could be used to connect it to a power source like a windmill or tractor. Maytag initially made washing machines to give his workers something to do during the winter season when few agricultural machines were sold, but this side of the business grew very quickly.

Maytag improved the Pastime washing machine in 1911 by adding an electric motor and added a model powered by gasoline a few years later so people in remote areas of the country could enjoy the benefits of automatic washers. Like all early washing machines, the Pastime had a wooden tub. This made the machine easy to make, but it also made it vulnerable to warping and rotting. Maytag solved this problem in 1915 when he unveiled the first washing machine with an aluminum tub.

The company revolutionized the industry again in 1922 when a Maytag employee named Howard Snyder invented a way to clean clothes without dragging them across corrugated wood or metal. Snyder’s vaned agitator was a major breakthrough, and Maytag’s Gyrafoam washing machine was the first appliance to feature the innovative device. Agitators create a cleaning motion inside washers without damaging clothes, and they are still found inside many top-loading washers today.

The Gyrafoam washer was a game-changer for Maytag, and the company’s Newton, Iowa manufacturing plant soon became one of the busiest factories in the United States. In October 1926, Maytag set a new record when it shipped five trainloads of washing machines in a single day.

Maytag made parts for tanks and aircraft like the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-29 Super Fortress during World War II, but the company was back to making appliances by 1946. The appliance industry was highly competitive in the 1950s and 1960s as dozens of companies worked to earn a share of the rapidly growing consumer market, but Maytag carved out a place for itself in 1967 when it ran print and television ads featuring an appliance repairman with nothing to do. The Maytag repairman was dubbed Ol’ Lonely, and he remains a core part of the company’s marketing efforts to this day.

Production and Manufacturing

This article will focus on Maytag’s large line of washers and dryers, but the company also offers refrigerators, wall ovens, cooktops, ranges, and dishwashers. We will also take a look inside the factories that make Maytag appliances to see what type of technology is used to maintain the company’s strict quality control standards.

Products

Washers and dryers bearing the Maytag name are renowned for their never-say-die toughness. The company’s washer and dryer line once featured only a few models, but it has now grown to include:

Front-loading washers: Maytag front load washers are packed with the company’s latest technology and features.
Top loading washers: There are five Maytag top load washers with capacities ranging from a compact 3.5-cubic-feet to a cavernous 5.2-cubic-feet.
Gas dryers: Maytag gas dryers offer up to 7.4-cubic-feet of drying capacity, and features, including moisture sensing and static reduction.
Electric dryers: Maytag electric dryers are available in top-load and front-load designs, and some of them feature windows and interior lights so you can see what is going on inside without opening the door.
Stackable washers and dryers: Maytag stackable washers and dryers offer a winning combination of space-saving design and advanced features. Front-loading washers and both gas and electric front-loading dryers are available.
Pedestals: Maytag pedestals raise front-loading washers and dryers by up to 15″ to make loading and unloading clothes much easier.

Maytag revolutionized the washing machine market a century ago by introducing the first aluminum washing tub and vaned agitator, and the company’s products still contain state-of-the-art technology. Features that Maytag offers to make life easier and less stressful include:

Commercial technology: Maytag makes washers and dryers for use in hotels, hospitals, and other commercial settings, and many of the components that keep these heavy-duty machines running reliably year after year can also be found in the company’s home appliances. Commercial grade parts that you can expect to find in a Maytag washer and dryer include direct-drive motors, stainless steel wash baskets, and heavy-duty dryer drums.
Wi-Fi connectivity: Many modern consumers want smart appliances that can be controlled with a smartphone or other mobile device. Maytag meets their needs with a range of Wi-Fi-connected washers and dryers that offer a host of connected features, including task assignment, remote start, and wash scheduling. The Maytag app also provides stain-fighting tips and can be used to troubleshoot appliances remotely. If you have an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device, you can even operate a Maytag washer or dryer using voice commands.
The Extra Power button: Maytag’s Extra Power button combines the benefits of hot and cold water washing to tackle every kind of stain. Stains that respond best to cold water are lifted first during a brief pre-wash, and then warm water is used to remove any remaining stains.
Steam option: Many Maytag dryers and washers feature a steam option to provide a cleaning boost or prevent wrinkles. In the washer, steam penetrates deep into fabrics to reach embedded dirt. In the dryer, steam softens clothes to relieve folds and remove wrinkles.
Sanitize cycle: Maytag’s sanitize cycle uses the hottest water temperature available to remove up to 99.9% of household bacteria and provide peace of mind.
Deep fill option: Modern washing machines use as little water as possible to save energy, but that is not always ideal. Maytag’s deep fill option allows consumers to change fill levels with the push of a button when more water is needed to get clothes clean.
Quick Wash cycle: Small loads of lightly soiled clothes do not require the same kind of cleaning power as large loads of dirty laundry. Maytag’s quick wash cycle cuts electricity bills by cleaning small loads in just 30 minutes.
Late Add feature: We have all pressed the start button on a washing machine only to realize that we forgot something. Adding items to a load of laundry is not a problem with a Maytag washer, as simply pressing the start button pauses the wash cycle.
Fresh hold: You won’t have to worry about musty smells if you forget to unload a Maytag washer with the Fresh Hold option, as a fan will pull in clean air to keep clothes smelling fresh for 24 hours.
Optimal Dose dispenser: Maytag makes measuring out detergent a chore that you will have to do less often with a dispenser large enough to handle eight loads of laundry.
Moisture sensors: Maytag dryers have sensors that monitor moisture levels and air temperatures to prevent overdrying and reduce energy bills.
Hamper Door: Maytag’s Hamper Door has heavy-duty hinges to support the weight of a laundry basket and make unloading dry clothes less of a hassle.
Static Reduce feature: Say goodbye to annoying cling when you unload a dryer, thanks to Maytag’s Static Reduce feature. This feature sprays clothes with a fine mist at the end of the drying cycle to prevent clothes from sticking together.

Manufacturing

Maytag’s early washing machines were made at the company’s original manufacturing facility in Newton, Iowa, and production continued at the plant until the company was acquired by Whirlpool Corporation in 2006. The Iowa facility was once one of the busiest factories in America, and the appliances it produced were so reliable its address was changed to Dependability Square. Maytag also opened washer and dryer manufacturing plants in Searcy, Arkansas, and Herrin, Illinois.

When Whirlpool acquired the company, Maytag washer and dryer production shifted to state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Ohio. Whirlpool has a production philosophy called World Class Manufacturing, which is designed to improve product quality and reduce costs by utilizing the benefits of automated production, real-time analytics, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The machines that make Maytag washers and dryers can communicate with each other and run their own diagnostics, which means problems that would have once brought production to a halt are identified and dealt with almost instantaneously.

Maytag’s most advanced washers and dryers are made at a factory in Fall River, Massachusetts, that also produces commercial laundry equipment and has its own design and engineering center. This facility is staffed with highly trained engineers and assembly line workers who watch over machines that can make a top-of-the-line washer in just 10 minutes.

Key Facts

Maytag appliances have a legendary reputation for reliability and durability, which is why they have received several awards for quality over the years. Recent Maytag accolades include:

Best dryer of 2021: The Maytag MED7230H top-load electric dryer was named the best dryer of 2021 by the USA TODAY Network. The judges came to their decision after drying more than 1,500 loads of laundry in some of the most advanced appliances currently available.
Best refrigerator of 2021: A panel of experts from U.S. News & World Report checked specifications, professional ratings, and consumer reviews to identify the best appliances on the market. When the results came in, Maytag’s French door refrigerator was named the best available.
Best top-load laundry line of 2020: The Red Dot Award is an industry design accolade that is coveted by appliance manufacturers the world over. In 2020, innovative features, ergonomic designs, functionality, and durability helped Maytag’s top-load laundry line to win this prestigious award.
Most trusted washers and dryers of 2020: When the international research company BrandSpark surveyed more than 18,000 American consumers in 2019, Maytag emerged as the washer and dryer brand they trusted most. Maytag also topped BrandSpark’s most trusted list in 2019.

In addition to producing some of the world’s most innovative and reliable washers and dryers, Maytag supports community efforts all over America. The company has been affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America for decades, and the recipients of its Dependable Leader awards include emergency workers who risk their lives to save others, volunteers who devote their time to helping the less fortunate, Oscar-winning entertainers who help young people to achieve their dreams and even a former president of the United States who now spends his time building affordable homes.

Warranty Information

Maytag washers and dryers are backed by a 10-year warranty that covers all parts and labor during the first year of ownership. Washer and dryer components covered by Maytag’s 10-year limited parts warranty include drive motors, wash baskets, and drums. Some high-performance and commercial-grade Maytag washers and dryers have an even more comprehensive warranty that covers parts for 10 years and labor for five years.

When repairs are made under the Maytag warranty, they are performed by factory-certified technicians using original factory parts, and consumers who want even more protection can get it by buying Maytag’s washer and dryer extended service plan. The company also has a no lemon policy that replaces rather than repairs appliances that have persistent problems.

Registration is not required to obtain Maytag warranty coverage, but the company does recommend it for several reasons. Registering a Maytag washer or dryer ensures consumers receive important notifications promptly, gives them access to owner’s manuals and service guides, and speeds up the verification process if they file warranty claims.

Maytag Appliance Parts

If you ever need genuine parts for a Maytag washer or dryer, you can find what you are looking for by selecting the “Parts & Accessories” tab on the Maytag website. Maytag also has a dedicated parts website. In addition to components like agitator repair kits and water pumps, the Maytag parts website sells cleaning products specially formulated to keep washing machines fresh and mold-free.

Before you spend money on Maytag parts, you should check with the company to find out if the components you need are covered by the company’s 10-year limited parts warranty. If they are not covered by the warranty because your appliance is more than 10 years old or your problem was caused by an accident or misuse, you should still use a factory-certified technician for needed repairs.

Check Out More Maytag Content From WashersDryers360

WashersDryers360 is your go-to source for news about the latest appliances and appliance features. If you are thinking about purchasing a Maytag washer or dryer, our content hubs could provide you with a lot of useful information.

Maytag Washers/Dryers Reviews

Maytag makes a lot of washers and dryers, and many of them look very similar. Our reviews go beyond marketing hype and advertising claims to let you know what these machines can really do. We give you detailed specifications that include dimensions, weights, and capacities, and we provide a complete breakdown of the features each washer and dryer has to offer. We also compare the washer or dryer being reviewed to other popular models, and we let you know what consumers have said about it in online reviews.

Maytag Washers/Dryers Roundups

One of our product roundups could be just what you need if you have decided to buy a Maytag washer or dryer but have not settled on a particular model. These product roundups are basically a series of mini-reviews that give you basic facts and product specifications in a concise and easy-to-read format. We finish each of these brief reviews by telling you what makes each washer or dryer great and giving you a list of its pros and cons.

Maytag Press Releases

Appliance stores and websites sometimes keep new models under wraps until all of their old inventory is sold. This is good for them, but it is not so great for consumers. Our press release pages can help you to avoid discontinued machines by letting you know about new models and improvements as soon as they are announced. This is also the place to come to learn about promotions and rebates.

Maytag Recalls

Even companies that make products renowned for their reliability and durability announce recalls every now and then. If Maytag announces a recall, we will get the news to you fast. Our recall pages will tell you the models being recalled and their production dates, and they will also let you know about the nature of the problem and what is being done by the manufacturer to remedy it.

Where to Buy

A lot of appliance stores and websites sell Maytag washers and dryers, but not all of them offer attractive prices and great customer service. If you are in the market for one of these appliances and are looking for a retailer that will offer you a good deal and treat you right, you may want to click on the following links:

Similar Brands

Maytag washers are reasonably priced, are full of useful features and are engineered to provide years of faithful service, but they are not for everyone. If you have decided that a Maytag machine will not meet your needs, you may want to consider a washer or dryer made by one of the other manufacturers we cover. These manufacturers include:

Amana
Bosch
Electrolux
Frigidaire
GE
Hotpoint
LG
Miele
Samsung
Whirlpool

Online Presence

If you want to learn more about Maytag and its products, you can use click on the following links to visit the company’s website and social media pages:

Contact Information

If you have a question about a washer or dryer that only Maytag can answer, you can reach the company’s customer service representatives by phone between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. If you would prefer to have a live chat with a representative, you can click the “Chat” icon on the Maytag website’s menu bar during the same hours. Here are the Maytag customer support phone numbers and links: