jr2712
Well-known member
I think I found the easiest (At least to me) way of keep clean the Maytag filter: I just wipe it with a damp 3M Microfiber cloth right after the end of the last load. All hair, lint and scum comes quick and easy.
HOW IN HELL CAN I CLEAN A MAYTAG FILTER OUT?
- Thread starter phillymatt53
- Start date
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Did you miss the part in my post where I actually did this over 30 years ago as a teenager and f-ed up the filter???
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Trying to prevent others from making the same mistake.
phillymatt53
Well-known member
Well folks, Thanks for the suggestions - I'll stick to the toothbrush idea when need be.
Along with soaking the damn thing in hot water.
I love that Maytag A482, I just don't care for that lint filter.
Along with soaking the damn thing in hot water.
I love that Maytag A482, I just don't care for that lint filter.
I think your water temp is too cold or you're using way too much fabric softener. I never once had a filter caked up with fabric softener in 40 years of using these machines. I used Downy over 18 years ago and the filter was always clean at the end of the cycle. That was on insanely hard water getting as high as 33 grains during the summer months and before I had a tempering valve.
phillymatt53
Well-known member
Well, there's a few threads here about me recently modifying my Maytag - adding a "warm rinse" button, which I prefer over the original forced cold rinse.
We'll see if that helps, along with diluting the Downy in the agitator's cup.
I will admit that sometimes I failed to clean the filter or forgot.
Switch softeners to a brand that isn't so goopy as Downy. Wash temp when detergent is at play is of more importance in keeping a clean machine than is the rinse temp ... IMO.
Had to clean my grandmother's out---she used cheap bucket soda-ash detergent and it limed up terribly, but a vinegar soak and brushdown from both directions together with a banging on the edge of the sink got it right
You misr
You’ve must’ve been using an ice pic.
No, glass head pin needles like this:
https://www.amazon.com/AKOAK-Colored-Needle-Travel-Sewing/dp/B09ZQNTCF7?th=1
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
realvanman
Well-known member
Mine,built in ‘84, came from friends who did not know about the secret, hidden, unmarked filter on top of the agitator. They got it used and of course never knew it was there. Obviously I didn’t know about it either, until I came here. Of course it was stinking!
Mine is now about 2/3 clear and useable, the rest still clogged with mineral deposits. I’ve thought to maybe soak it in CLR? Eventually I’ll try some of the ideas here, especially the one that made it look brand new, and didn’t damage it.
Keith
Mine is now about 2/3 clear and useable, the rest still clogged with mineral deposits. I’ve thought to maybe soak it in CLR? Eventually I’ll try some of the ideas here, especially the one that made it look brand new, and didn’t damage it.
Keith
phillymatt53
Well-known member
CLR is good to use to clear out the hoses pump impellors, and anywhere the water flows.
I've used it in the dishwasher and the washing machine on occasion.
half a cup, some hot water, let it sit a few minutes, then flush it out.
Clogged agitator, mount filters, etc.
The real problem here is using way too little detergent using poor quality detergent to cool wash water will also do this.
This is one of the major problems with top loading washers. They require such huge quantities of detergent and hot water to use them effectively, this is why the only way I’ll use a top load washer today is if I can use this huge investment of hot water and detergent by running it into another washer and washing a second or third load. This is the way top loader washers were designed to be used. They’re an out crop of wringer washers. People never threw the water away after one run of a wringer washer.
You will not normally get mineral buildup inside a water pump or water hoses, never really have seen that.
You tend to see a buildup on the lint filter because as the machine goes in to spin The heavier water goes to the outside because of the silly spin drain and all the scum and such goes to the center and onto the lint filter and collects there.
John L
The real problem here is using way too little detergent using poor quality detergent to cool wash water will also do this.
This is one of the major problems with top loading washers. They require such huge quantities of detergent and hot water to use them effectively, this is why the only way I’ll use a top load washer today is if I can use this huge investment of hot water and detergent by running it into another washer and washing a second or third load. This is the way top loader washers were designed to be used. They’re an out crop of wringer washers. People never threw the water away after one run of a wringer washer.
You will not normally get mineral buildup inside a water pump or water hoses, never really have seen that.
You tend to see a buildup on the lint filter because as the machine goes in to spin The heavier water goes to the outside because of the silly spin drain and all the scum and such goes to the center and onto the lint filter and collects there.
John L
phillymatt53
Well-known member
It appears that I, and I suspect others, have noticed a repeated hatred/bias in your posts towards top load washing machines.
Granted, everybody has their own preferences, and biases, it's part of human nature.
I too, have my own preferences, however I don't believe that I'm so angry at any specific washing machine that I must always include it in my comments.
I've cleaned out the tiny holes very successfully by using a bottle-brush with very stiff bristles INSIDE the filter cylinder by pressing the bristles outward. It takes a little bit of time and patience, but it works. The holes have a smaller diameter on the inside of the filter than the outside.
This problem is AGAIN a symptom of the universal problem that MOST PEOPLE NEVER READ THE FRASSIN' RAKKIN' &*&@$!! MANUAL OR INSTRUCTIONS SHEET. It clearly tells the user to remove the filter after each use to remove the lint and trapped stuff. I always thought the Filter pan on the GE washers was easier to maintain because, contrary to Consumer Report's criticisms, users had to remove it at the end of the cycle and could see what was in it. But, of course, I am biased.
This problem is AGAIN a symptom of the universal problem that MOST PEOPLE NEVER READ THE FRASSIN' RAKKIN' &*&@$!! MANUAL OR INSTRUCTIONS SHEET. It clearly tells the user to remove the filter after each use to remove the lint and trapped stuff. I always thought the Filter pan on the GE washers was easier to maintain because, contrary to Consumer Report's criticisms, users had to remove it at the end of the cycle and could see what was in it. But, of course, I am biased.
realvanman
Well-known member
As the third owner, my machine did not come with the manual to enable me to read about the the secret, hidden, unmarked filter on top of the agitator. The friends I got it from didn't have it either. Too bad Maytag couldn't have bothered to LABEL IT. Dumb. I miss my Whirlpool Kenmore! It's easily discovered lint filter was SO MUCH EASIER to clean. But, that machine has a leak, so I need to work on it.
