Maytag Centennial Washer Care Guide

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Jodie loves to get her hands dirty and test out a new product, especially when it comes to new technology. As home appliances improve and their technology advances, Jodie is more than happy to jump in and help you make sense of different features and how they can make your life easier!

Maytag Centennial Washer: An Overview

Knowing your washing machine’s unique specifications is crucial if you want to keep it in the best possible condition.

This is because understanding how your machine is configured and having a basic idea of how it works will allow you to use it properly without shortening its lifespan.

As such, here’s a quick reminder about the key features of the Maytag Centennial:

4.3-cu ft high
High efficiency
Top-load washer
11 wash cycles (including wrinkle control and bulky/sheets)
PowerWash system
Stainless steel wash basket
Control panel with cycle status lights
Automatic temperature control
Automatic load balancing

How to Use the Maytag Centennial Washer

The Maytag Centennial washer is known as a high-efficiency top load washer. Whereas a regular top load washer would use a center agitator with paddles to move clothes through the water from top to bottom, high-efficiency washers of this kind use an impeller on the floor of the drum and feature a door at the top rather than the front.

Because of their unique design, there are specific ways of using top load washers to perform with maximum efficiency. Here are my top valuable tips.

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Rather than throwing all your washing straight into the machine, it’s worthwhile taking a minute to sort through the different kinds of items. I’d recommend putting bulky items in the machine first, as this will allow them to interact better with the agitator. Try to place items in loose but even heaps around the agitator; this will allow them to move correctly.

If you need to wash a single, heavy item such as a rug, you should also throw in a few other things to balance the weight. This will prevent your washer from getting damaged. In fact, I’d also recommend finding a good quality washer pan as this is one of the best ways of preventing water damage.

Adding Detergent

You might think that all detergents were created equal and that it doesn’t matter which one you use, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. As I mentioned earlier, the Maytag Centennial is a high-efficiency washer, which means you should always try to use a high-efficiency detergent.

What’s the difference between this kind of detergent and the regular kind, I hear you ask? Well, HE detergent is low sudsing and quick dispersing, so it’s ideal for top load machines that can run low-water wash cycles. If you decide to use detergent pods or color-safe crystals, you should add them directly to the machine before adding clothes.

Know your Machine’s Noises

Particularly with Maytag Centennial washers, it’s a good idea to get to know what kind of noises you can expect to hear during everyday use. Some might initially seem like they’re indicating a problem but are perfectly normal.

Clicking: At the beginning of a cycle, clicking happens when the washer’s lid locks in place. This is perfectly normal and could even be classed as a good sign as it suggests the machine is checking that the door is closed correctly.
Silence: Has your washer gone silent? Don’t despair! This happens when clothes are soaking or working out the best water level for your load.
Whirring/Humming: These noises happen when the agitator interacts with clothes or when the machine slows down after a fast spin. But, again, there’s no need to be alarmed.

Double-Check Installation

This bit of advice particularly applies if your washer has only recently been fitted. To do a quick installation check, follow these three steps:

Make sure all feet are in contact with the floor and are locked
Ensure both hot and cold water hoses are properly connected to the correct inlet valves
Keep your washer and dryer far apart, so they never touch when being used

How to Clean Your Maytag Centennial Washer

Cleaning your washer can feel like a daunting, unappealing task, which is why it gets put off in so many households. However, keeping your machine clean is an essential part of taking good care of it and will undoubtedly increase its overall lifespan.

Here’s how to clean your Maytag Centennial washer in four quick and easy steps.

Clean the Drum

It might seem counterintuitive to clean the drum, or tub, of your washer – after all, it cleans clothes, so how can it get dirty with all that detergent? Well, unfortunately, it does.

The good news is that cleaning the drum might be easier than you’d think. Firstly, make sure it’s empty before adding a washing machine cleaner tablet to the bottom. You can also use liquid chlorine bleach if you don’t have a tablet. Next, close the door and select your machine’s cleaning cycle. Because the Maytag Centennial is a top load washer, you’ll need to run a rinse and spin cycle when the first cycle ends.

The last step is to leave the door open and allow the washer to dry. After that, it should be good as new!

Clean the Dispensers

Pull out the dispenser drawers as far as they go and use a damp cloth to wipe them down. If they’re filthy, use an all-purpose cleaner, then dry them with a clean towel.

Clean the Door

This is arguably the worst and most challenging part of the cleaning process since lots of dirt can build up around the door seal over time. Nevertheless, with the correct equipment, you can have your washer door sparkling again in no time.

As with the previous step, make sure the washer is entirely empty. Next, open the door and clean the inside with a damp cloth. Make sure to also clean around the edge of the door and the seal to get any hard-to-reach dirt.

Clean the Outside

All that’s left to do now is wipe down the outside of the machine with a damp cloth. Of course, you can use an all-purpose cleaner if you’d like to, but this usually isn’t necessary.

Common Maytag Centennial Problems & How to Solve Them

Have you recently noticed that your Maytag Centennial washer isn’t working as it should? Before you start worrying, check out these common problems and their relatively easy fixes.

My Washer Won’t Spin or Drain

Check the load is balanced. Redistribute clothes and try again
Check the water level is appropriate for the load
Check the fuse/reset the circuit breaker
Check hoses are straight and free from kinks

My Washer Won’t Agitate

Check the fuse/reset circuit breaker
Check the lid is closed properly
Check lid switch failure detector

My Washer Leaks Water

Check hose connections are tight
Check end of the drain hose is correctly inserted and secured to drain

My Washer Won’t Fill

Check power cord is plugged into an electrical outlet
Check the fuse/reset circuit breaker
Check control knob is set up correctly
Check both faucets are turned on fully
Check inlet hoses are straight

Ten Maytag Centennial Maintenance Tips

The advice below can be used to keep your washer in excellent condition.

#1 – Leave the Door Open

Once you’ve finished using your washer, it’s natural to think that you should close the door, but the best thing you can do is to leave it open for a little while.

Just 15-30 minutes will allow any moisture to evaporate, thereby preventing mold from building up inside your machine. You definitely don’t want to wash your clothes inside a moldy washer!

#2 – Clean the Filter

Most washers contain filters to catch lint and other unwanted by-products. Eventually, these filters will need cleaning because once they are full, they can no longer perform the job they were designed to do.

As a result, unwanted pieces of lint will attach to your clothes and build up in your machine. If this goes on for long enough, you could seriously reduce the washer’s life.

#3 – Use the Right Detergent

Make sure you use a HE (high efficiency) detergent so that your Maytag Centennial washer can function optimally.

#4 – Check the Hoses

This is a maintenance job you should carry out regularly. Your hoses should be attached so that water can flow in and out of the machine steadily, without meeting any resistance.

All three hoses should be properly connected and free from cracks or leaks. If your hoses show signs of wear and tear, replace them immediately before they cause bigger problems with your machine.

#5 – Wipe Up Spillage

Detergents can be pretty sticky when you spill them, so try to wipe any residue with a clean damp cloth roughly once a week.

#6 – Look After the Exterior

When kept in good condition, washing machines can add to the overall appearance of a room. However, if they’re not cared for, they quickly begin to detract from the space around them.

Use household cleaners on the exterior of your machine to keep it looking brand new. Glass cleaner is an excellent product for making those surfaces really shine.

#7 – Clean Rubber Gasket

The rubber gasket is arguably exposed to the most wear and tear of all the different washer components in your Maytag Centennial.

The purpose of the gasket is to protect your clothes from damage and to soften any sharp edges, but it’s particularly susceptible to dust and dirt, which get trapped inside the seal. That’s why it’s a good idea to regularly clean this part of your washer with a clean damp cloth.

#8 – Deep Clean Your Machine

Limescale quickly builds up inside washing machines thanks to the amount of water that passes through them, and when this happens, you may begin to notice that your clothes do not come out of the machine as clean as they used to.

When this happens, it’s time for a deep clean. You can purchase washing machine cleaning liquid or tablets that are specifically for this purpose. If it’s been a long time since you last did this, I’d recommend purchasing extra strength ones.

#9 – Don’t Overload

Overloading your machine not only puts unnecessary strain on it, shortening its life, but it also means that the clothes you’re trying to wash won’t come out very clean because there are simply too many of them.

One of the kindest things you can do for your machine is to pay careful attention to the recommended and maximum load sizes.

#10 – Remove Damp Laundry Promptly

Leaving wet clothes inside your machine after it’s finished a cycle is a recipe for disaster. The items in question will quickly start to smell, and this smell might linger in the machine. Plus, leaving clothes damp encourages mold to grow.

Instead, remove the damp clothes promptly and leave the machine door open for half an hour after a wash.

Maytag Centennial Washer Care Guide: FAQs

Question: What Happens If I Use Regular Detergent in a High-Efficiency Machine?

Answer: The regular detergent will create too many suds, which will lengthen the wash cycle, impact the overall cleaning action, and possibly even overflow the machine.

Question: How Often Should I Clean My Maytag Centennial Washer?

Answer: The recommended interval between cleans is about 30 washes, but if you notice any unusual smells or signs of dirt, then you can do this sooner.

Question: Why is My Maytag Centennial Washer so Loud?

Answer: Loud noise can usually be attributed to a tub bearing or motor coupling defect, damaged clutch assembly, worn-out drive pulley, or clogged drain pump. Your washer might also make a loud squealing or whining noise if you have overloaded it.

Question: Where is the Lint Filter on My Maytag Centennial Washer?

Answer: To find the lint filter, place your hands around the lower half of the agitator and carefully pull it upward. The filter is located below.

Question: What Other Products Does Maytag Make?

Answer: Maytag makes washers, dryers, stoves, and dishwashers.