How to Clean Maytag Top Load Washer Without Agitator
Quick Answer
To clean a Maytag top load washer without an agitator, place an Affresh tablet in the empty drum and run the 'Clean Washer' cycle. For the best results, manually scrub the detergent dispenser and wipe the underside of the lid where mold and detergent residue often hide.
Here's the thing about these newer Maytag impeller washers: the low water usage is great for your utility bill but it creates the perfect environment for scrud buildup. I've walked into houses where the washing machine smells worse than the dirty laundry pile. Skip the monthly cleaning and that smell starts getting into your clothes. The good news is a tablet and about 10 minutes of hands-on work fixes it every time.
MaytagWasherSeverity: lowDifficulty:
Time to Fix
60–90 min
Difficulty
Parts Cost
$0 (no parts needed)
Tools Needed
Affresh washer cleaner tablets (part W10501250) or 1 cup liquid chlorine bleach, Microfiber cleaning cloths (2-3)
How to Clean Maytag Top Load Washer Without Agitator
Every 30 days, or when that Clean Washer light flicks on. That's the deal with these machines. I've had customers call me thinking something's broken when really the machine just hasn't been cleaned in 8 months. Costs you maybe $2 for an Affresh tablet. Way cheaper than a service call. The whole process takes about an hour once you count the cycle run time.
Common Causes
- Using way too much detergent is honestly the number one culprit. Most people fill the cap to the line, but HE machines need maybe 2 tablespoons max per load. All that extra detergent doesn't rinse out clean, it coats the inside of the outer tub and turns into that grayish slime called scrud.
- Fabric softener residue coating the dispenser and tub walls because liquid softener is basically thin wax. Use it every single load without ever cleaning and you end up with a thick sticky layer that traps bacteria and smells terrible over time.
- Leaving the lid closed between loads traps moisture inside with nowhere to go. Warm, damp, sealed up tight. That's basically an engraved invitation for mold. I'd say this shows up in about 80% of the smelly washer calls I get.
- Hard water mineral deposits building up on the tub walls actually give soap residue something to grip, creating the perfect base layer for biofilm to develop and spread.
- Washing a lot of heavily soiled loads, gym clothes, work uniforms, sports gear, without running a cleaning cycle in between. Body oils and sweat stay behind in the machine after every load and they add up fast.
Symptoms You May Notice
- Your laundry comes out smelling musty or like a wet towel that sat in a gym bag for three days, even though you just washed it.
- The Clean Washer indicator light is on solid or flashing on your control panel and you've been ignoring it for a while.
- Visible gray, black, or brown film coating the inside of the lid, the top rim of the tub, or the underside of the wash plate when you look closely.
- A sour or sulfur smell hits you the moment you open the lid, even before you've thrown in any dirty laundry.
- White or gray flakes showing up on dark clothing after a wash cycle. That's dried scrud flaking off the outer tub walls and landing on your stuff.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Affresh washer cleaner tablets (part W10501250) or 1 cup liquid chlorine bleachMicrofiber cleaning cloths (2-3)Old toothbrush or small scrub brushRubber gloves (if using bleach)Phillips #2 screwdriver (only needed if removing the wash plate)
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Maytag washer smell like rotten eggs?
That smell is sulfur and it's coming from bacteria growing in the scrud buildup coating the outside of your inner tub. Because these impeller machines use way less water than old-school agitator washers, they don't flush out all the soap, body oils, and softener between loads. That stuff sits in the dark and the warmth and bacteria just goes to work. Run a Clean Washer cycle with an Affresh tablet and start leaving your lid open between uses. Usually clears up in one or two cleaning cycles.
Can I use vinegar and baking soda to clean my Maytag?
You can, but honestly it's not going to cut it if you've got heavy buildup. Vinegar is fine for light maintenance but it doesn't touch the biofilm the way bleach or Affresh does. And if you use vinegar, never mix it with bleach in the same cycle. Bleach plus vinegar creates toxic chlorine gas, so don't do it. Use one or the other, run the cycle, done. For serious scrud situations I always reach for bleach or Affresh first, then maybe follow up with a vinegar cycle a few days later if needed.
How often should I clean my impeller washer?
Once a month, or every 30 wash loads, whichever comes first. Most of the newer Maytag impeller models have a reminder indicator that'll start flashing when it's time. Don't ignore that light. I've seen machines where it had been on for six months and the owner just taped over it. The tub looked like the inside of a cave at that point. Monthly is easy maintenance. Set a phone reminder if your machine doesn't have a built-in reminder light.
Should I remove the wash plate to clean under it?
Not for routine cleaning, no. The Clean Washer cycle is specifically designed to circulate water under and around the wash plate. You'd only need to pull it off if you suspect something's trapped underneath, like a bra underwire or a coin, and you're hearing a grinding or scraping noise during the spin. Removing it requires a socket wrench and some patience. The center bolt is usually reverse-threaded on these Maytag models so remember lefty-tighty on that one. Don't go pulling it apart if you don't have a reason to.
Is it better to use liquid or powder detergent to keep it clean?
Powder is actually slightly better at preventing residue buildup in a lot of cases. But the type matters way less than the amount. Most people are using three or four times too much detergent and that extra soap is the real problem. For a Maytag HE impeller machine you're looking at about 2 tablespoons of liquid HE detergent per normal load. Look for the HE symbol on the bottle. Using regular detergent in one of these machines is basically like putting dish soap in your dishwasher.
The Clean Washer cycle finished but my machine still smells. What now?
Run it again. Seriously. If the buildup is bad enough, one cycle won't cut it. Do a second cycle with bleach if you used Affresh the first round, or vice versa. Also go back and check the lid underside and that dispenser drawer because those are the spots most people rush through. Then leave the lid open for 24 to 48 hours after cleaning to let everything dry out completely. If you've done two full cleaning cycles and it still smells, the scrud may be deep in the outer tub and you're probably looking at calling a tech to pull the machine apart.
Models Known to Experience HOW-TO-CLEAN-WASH-PLATE Errors
This repair applies to most Maytag washers with this error code. Common model numbers include:
MVWB965HW, MVWB765FW, MVWC565FW, MVWB955FC, MVWB835DW, MVWC415EW, MVWB880BW
MS
Last verified for technical accuracy on May 20, 2024