Maytag A606 Operation Help

[avrilroxx11]

I just moved into a place with this A606 washing machine and I have no idea how to use it. I'm in my 20s so this machine was made long before I was born and I haven't been able to find any instructions for use online. If anyone could explain to me how to operate it I would be really grateful! Also where/when do I put in the detergent and softner? I have very little experience with modern washing machines let alone these vintage ones so anything and everything would help me a lot! Thanks!

 

[arbilab]

How the detergent goes in is not critical at all. One can pull the lint filter out of the agitator hub and put it in there. The filter will need cleaning periodically as well, the more often the easier.

Softener can be put in the same way. Preferably diluted, and you have to catch the rinse. Frankly I would recommend against softener at all. I haven't used it for years. It waterproofs towels. Think about that. It gums up the tub and fosters growth of mold. If you insist on softener, use dryer sheets. But they still waterproof towels and will gum up the dryer drum.

 

[danemodsandy]

Perhaps This Will Help:

First, not everyone is against softener.

Your A606 is easy to operate, though Maytags are not quite like other machines. You can start by adding a measured amount of detergent to the tub before you put the clothes in. If you use a powdered oxygen bleach (OxiClean), it can go in at this time, too. Softener goes in the little cup at the top of the agitator, which is the softener dispenser; centrifugal force distributes it at the proper time. Chlorine bleach (Clorox) or other liquid bleaches should be measured and poured into the bleach dispenser opening at the right of the tub opening. It will be added at the right time, automatically.

You should press the button for the water level you want, according to load size, Small, Medium or Large. You should also press the button for the wash temperature you want, Cold, Warm or Hot. You can then select "Regular Action" or "Gentle Action"; this is for the washer speed - regular or slow speed.

Then you set the cycle with the center dial. Push on the knob, turn the knob to move the dial to the desired cycle, and then pull the knob out to start the machine. NOTE: The Wash cycle has minute divisions shown. You use these by moving the dial to the desired number of minutes within that cycle. Here's an example: If you want six minutes of washing, turn the dial to "Wash," and then make sure the pointer at the top of the dial points to the number "6."

The center of the agitator contains the lint filter. If you will grasp the top of the agitator (where that little cup for softener is) and pull straight up, the lint filter comes out. It may have a great deal of old lint on it; some people are not very conscientious about cleaning them. It should be cleaned after each wash; a small pad of lint about the size of an American quarter (25-cent piece) will usually be on it. After cleaning, you re-insert the filter into the top of the agitator, and press straight down until it seats properly in place. The softener cup is separate; you can leave it in place while you clean the lint filter, or remove it to clean it if some softener residue has built up inside it. An old, clean toothbrush is an excellent tool for the purpose.

That is really all there is to it. [this post was last edited: 7/1/2013-06:23]

 

[DigAPony]

Chlorine bleach (Clorox) or other liquid bleaches should be

The A606 didn't have a bleach dispenser I believe. Diluted bleach must be added directly to the tub.

The 12 (and 10?) series expanded the bleach dispenser feature to more models.

 

[kenmore71]

The Maytag "timed" (such as it was) bleach dispenser first appeared in 1958 on the 142B. In the 06 machines (introduced in 1966) it appeared only on the A906 and the A806 series "0" machines (until early 1975).  What I call the "fancy funnel" bleach dispenser was first introduced on the A806 in March of 1975 as a less expensive alternative to the reservoir dispenser and then became a standard feature on ALL 08 series machines that were introduced in Sept. of 1976. 

 

[danemodsandy]

My Bad!

I keep forgetting how different early New Generation machines were to the second generation. By the time of the second generation, the simplified bleach dispenser had been applied to nearly all 'Tags. But it makes sense that the earlier dispenser was reserved for TOL machines, since it was a more complex device and costlier to manufacture.

Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[super32]

something I thought of, does the dial in the center have "markings" on it? Sometimes these dials are known for the print to rub off and be hard or impossible to read if your not use to the machine.

 

[avrilroxx11]

Thanks

Thanks for all the help! There are markings on the dial, and it was pretty easy to figure out from all your directions!

 

[nmassman44]

Another thing is when you load the washer do not pack laundry into the washbasket. Drop the clothes in loosely and up to the top row of holes only and no more. If you have a full washbasket select Large setting and the washer will fill to the top or the 2nd to the top row of holes. What I do is load the washer with clothes first before starting it and add detergent by moving the load away from the agitator and add the detergent around the post so the it lands into the base area so the agitator will get it into solution faster. These washers do very well washing and you will get good rollover. The PowerFin Agitator is quite powerful moving water thru the clothes. When you are done with washing clean the lint filter by pulling it straight out of the barrel. Often times you may not have any lint at all on it but its good to check just the same.
I use softener and never have an issue with stink or build up. I also wash most loads in warm and whites get a hot wash. When your done wth the days wash leave the lid open to dry out the inside and dont leave laundry in the machine, move it right into the dryer.
And when sorting laundry make sure you close zippers on jeans/shorts etc and sort whites , colors, jeans and towels. Your whites will thankyou by keeping whites and so will your colors.