What to do if your dishwasher isn't cleaning dishes properly. Cleaning MAYTAG dishwasher.

It's very annoying to hand wash your dishes after taking them out of a dishwasher. You try to use dish detergent boosters or appliance cleaners, but it doesn't help. One of the reasons for this is a clogged filter, or possibly a clogged drain opening. The Good thing is, you can very easy and quickly fix it.
Unfortunately, its’ not possible to the filter completely apart for my particular MAYTAG dishwasher, so I tried to clean it the best I could without separating the two mesh screens that were sandwiched together.
Be careful during a cleaning, you can find sharp pieces of glass!

[@Focusfin100]

Finally, someone shows that the inner part of the drain is removable. Thank you.

[@seanlavoie2]

This is a great video and the second time I’ve cleaned my dishwasher. Not too bad today, but the first time was super gross. Glad videos like this exist and wish I knew about this with our previous dishwasher.

[@nancyslusher6591]

Thank You for posting this, my wife did this by her self! She said it was very easy to follow your video and said I should thank you.

[@davidharlan4659]

I know you posted this over 4 years ago. But we've been dealing with a dishwasher that has smelled terrible between loads. Finally thought maybe I need to clean filters and its not just stale water. I would have never known to do all of these steps, great video and here's to a clean smelling dishwasher. Thank you!!!

[@lec7350]

This is the ABSOLUTE BEST you tube video on cleaning the Maytag dishwasher filter. I just completed cleaning and I am head over heels with joy that I discovered your video. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@patriciaw2679]

The sin of it being that Maytag does not recommend cleaning any filter in this machine. I have searched and searched. Finally, today I found this video. What a lifesaver.

[@salinemichigan904]

Maytag tries to tell you in the manual that there is no filter to clean! So thankful to have learned how to do it!

[@patriciaw2679]

This was exactly my dishwasher. Thank you so very, very much for posting the solution. That pipe is not easy to move but I got it done and all cleaned out. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.

[@shaynadaitch1209]

Wow, thank you so so so much for posting this video!!!! Our dishwasher was smelling really badly and making our dishes smell. We couldn't find instructions anywhere on how to take apart our dishwasher to clean the filter. Even the manual doesn't have instructions, even though it says you should clean the filter every two months. Your video was exactly what we needed. Could you put the model number in the title or description? I only found it because of the picture when scrolling on youtube. Mine is a Maytag MDB4949SDM. I had trouble cleaning the actual filter, too. I soaked it in water with bleach for about 30 minutes. After I rinsed it, I used a straw scrub brush to get inside a bit. Then I flipped it over and used the spray hose from the sink on full power, aiming at the mesh. I got nearly all of the gunk out this way. Thanks again!

[@MichelleSardinaBullock]

Thank you, can’t tell you how helpful this was. I understand now why dishes were not coming clean. Stuff of nightmares in there.

[@x86daddy76]

Great video... the designers of this filter system should be guillotined though.

[@ferencbogdan]

A team of nerds or rocket scientists designed this type of filter.

[@Big371Simps]

Definitely

[@MichelleSardinaBullock]

Especially cruel bc it looks like you can lift it off. So mean.

[@vegasrenie]

Actually, I was thinking along the lines of being dipped in boiling oil. Either way. 😁

[@lec7350]

You are AMAZING!!! Thanks for being so thorough. How you found and cleaned that last piece was the best.

[@ilhaanf663]

Thank you 😊 💓 You helped me clean my dishwasher. And we have exactly the same dishwashers. I only some problems putting the hose back but and I finally did. Thanks 😊! People like you make youtube very useful

[@kimshenberger1820]

Thank you for this excellent DIY video. I paid $130 to an appliance repair guy who told me the problem was with my water supply and I needed to call a plumber. Paid the plumber $90 to tell me nothing was wrong with my plumbing/water supply. Found your video and cleaned it ourselves. Bless you! Now, think I can get my $ back?

[@threadfast]

Great vid. Straight to the point. No BS. Thanks👍

[@arnaudlecousin3985]

Thank you so much! Was about to toss that thing out and buy a new one. Now there is so much more pressure. Appreciate your time!

[@patriciaw2679]

Same here! I was at that crossroads, as well.

[@paulsavard8484]

Thank you so much for this video!! I can't afford a repairman at 90 bucks an hour. The last repair guy just moved the drain pipe around. The filter was filthy!!! Thank you again for the video!! I have had no issues with Maytag until this dishwasher.

[@LulusLifeBeauty]

Thanks to your video I was able to figure out why my dishwasher wasn't cleaning correctly! Saved me a few hundred dollars in hiring someone or replacing it!

[@iammisskriss]

Thank you . This was soooo helpful figuring out how to take my dishwasher apart, clean it AND put it back together!

[@TW-ud6sb]

Good detail. I like to take the parts outside and spray with the garden hose under pressure, the fine screen is easy to clean this way.

[@BestPlaceOnEarth2011]

Excellent video! Thank you for saving me money on hiring a repair guy.

[@waylonwillie5736]

Thanks for this. Instruction manual suggests doing this every couple of months, but provides no real instructions. I assumed it would be a quick pop-out-the-filter-and-rinse thing. Hard to believe that Maytag designed this so you'd have to completely disassemble the interior of your washer for a simple cleaning.

[@matthewhartz1563]

I took the filter outside and sprayed it with a spray nozzle from the garden hose. It helped remove the stuff from the inside of the filter. Very effective.

[@catneon6951]

I suggest when you have everything out add some water and run the drain. I noticed that some water was coming back up so I readjusted the drain hose. I will add, since I recent took apart this dishwasher and the filter was nasty, if you still find a smell after all of this you will need to remove the door panel. That grey plastic part at the bottom of the door can easily be removed and the gunk that was in there was terrible!! But now there's zero smell!

[@cameliavera]

video please on door panel cleaning

[@elizabethblount4584]

Thank you. I had trouble putting it back together, and your video was great. Will I still be doing this when I'm 90? I hope not!

[@michellet7824]

Thanks for the video! It worked and therefore saved me tons of money on calling a repairman!! :)

[@jims2507]

Where is the disposal grinder wheel? My wife saw reviews saying those go out a lot. Has that been your experience?

[@paigehebert9225]

Thank you so much!!! This was amazing. So very helpful

[@msdiva1431]

Love it ,,,,, !!! straight and tooo the point ,,,, !!! no ego ,,,, just facts !!!

[@jessicabarton1172]

Thanks for the video. I couldn't believe how nasty my filter was! Hopefully this will help.

[@sherryhollis5707]

There was no explanation to show how to take the pipe off the back wall, around :49

[@ritaridgway5077]

Thats what I was looking for as well. Didn't show how difficult that would be. Hmmmmm!!

[@LuckyNancy7116]

Thanks for the video, it helps a lot!

[@ML-sy3bn]

Thank you! I have looked all over the internet for instructions on how to disassemble this exact dishwasher. I haven't done so yet, gotta have coffee first, but will do so and see if it helps my problem. Will report back.

[@inlovewithflorida8017]

M L Thanks, I hope it helped you! I’m not sure what clips you are talking about. If about clips that allow you to remove the top rack, you just need to squeeze the top part of a clip from inside and pull it up..

[@ML-sy3bn]

I deleted that comment because I figured out how to remove the clips. However after disassembling the pieces and cleaning them well then replacing them, my dishwasher still does not work. The lower spray arm does not turn. It was dirty and needed cleaning though. Mine must be another problem instead of just a dirty filter. Thanks.

[@justme1569]

Thank you, Maytag web site was a waste of my time.

[@marknosko1207]

This is a very good video! You did a nice job. What is the music in the background? Very nice!

[@inlovewithflorida8017]

Thanks, I hope it was helpful:). Music is CGI Snake, Chris Zabriskie

[@jordancourtepatte2886]

Thank you for the video, easy steps and it helped alot.

[@djanuszewski1985]

thanks for the video! very helpful!

[@tombrown1032]

Ours is 6 yrs old and I just cleaned all of this…I dont know if it’s because we run our hot water heater at the max setting or what the deal is but ours was not dirty. It’s us and 2 teenage boys also, so it’s not like we don’t use it

[@jf6720]

Great video, thanks. My model has chopping blades (somewhere) so I'm afraid to stick my hand down there. Does you model also?

[@cryangallegos]

If it's like mine, the blades are actually inside the pump assembly underneath the dishwasher. Mine was completely destroyed, clogged, and the blades all missing. Ditch Maytag and buy a Bosch.

[@Elena-mk6bf]

I just wonder, did you try a dishwasher cleaner (a couple of packets perhaps) before taking the dishwasher apart?

[@ragtop69camaro]

Thank you!

[@greyfoxzero]

Thank you for the video. That being said this is such a horrible design. I won't be going Maytag on the next dishwasher. A filter like this with its expected changes several times a year shouldn't be this hard to access along with several components that seem easy to break (those two pieces that connect the top sprayer unit). This whole mess screams intentionally bad design either to pay repair people or to make people buy new units.

[@patriciaw2679]

I looked at some new units and they have TWO filters: fine and extra fine. I'll be more aware when next I shop for a new one.

[@greyfoxzero]

The other major flaw is the top sprayer. No way to clean it and its an expensive part to replace. I may try soaking it in degreaser

[@jviews1]

great video. Thanks doing mine now.

[@brenyoung5878]

I can’t find where to push in on my Maytag to disengage the top shelf!

[@jims2507]

How often does this need to be done? And about how many loads per week do you run (for comparison)? We're running about 2 loads a day now, current dishwasher has many problems. We're thinking about buying this model if it's not too much work to maintain. Our current dishwasher I have to clean the easily-removable filter once a week. Thanks!

[@EXTREME-DIARRHEA-BLASTING]

Every 6 months at least is what it suggests in the manual when you get it. It all depends on how you use it, how often and how dirty your dishes frequently are when you're using it. Also don't forget that modern dishwashers still need detergent for prewash cycles.

[@NDWoj]

Did this....and eventually get this greyish sludge...escpecially on bottom near door. Dishes not getting clean either. What am I missing?

[@k.compton8995]

Thank you

[@gedias1]

That slotted filter can be swiveled out for easier cleaning.

[@joemc111]

So after calling and having 4 different repairman out to look at my Maytag dishwasher,the same one here, for sprayer arms having bits of crap clogging up the holes, and not one of them took that part out at 3:47 minutes. I can’t find the guys video that says check to make sure the little rubber flapper is working. Well I took that dam part out, PO # W10591540 , and the rubber was broken off. I really think for 2 years it’s been letting crap get into the spray arms. 7 days to get this part but until it comes I glued,with gorilla glue, and just waiting for it to setup.

[@joemc111]

I found the video kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZKVY6iZqayUa80 At 5:40 he shows the part.

[@pamclose2638]

I have to take arms out every month, and wash in 8" of water in bathtub upside down to get basically a green salad and what looks like garden mulch out each time. Rinse all dishes, but veggie debris and popcorn hulls still get in the paddle holes and block water. Will look for the part you mentioned.

[@faithtrout1181]

Where does the little black flap go from the main filter part?

[@kristinabaukal629]

Where can I buy filter parts??

[@Vixinaful]

Pretty happy I dont have one of these :D

[@craigpierre2765]

Great vid!!!

[@hitchj77]

What sort of solution are you soaking and spraying with? Just regular soapy water and spray cleaner? Or something else? Thanks

[@inlovewithflorida8017]

Just a dish soap.

[@patriciaw2679]

I used Dawn power spray.

[@coreytarducci36]

Well done video! Thanks

[@cryangallegos]

I have an 8989 and the chopper assembly is inside the pump mounted to the BOTTOM of the appliance. I had been cleaning the spray arms and that plastic assembly but still had pressure issues, so I took off the pump and the chopper screen was completely clogged and all the blades were broken and missing! Absolutely terrible design and horrible build quality for an $900+ dishwasher

[@jonathanbonney1655]

Don’t know if these comments are still monitored, but I have the exact same dishwasher…I’ve taken it all apart and cleaned it just like this video but the top rack is still not cleaning…it’s like water isn’t getting pumped up to the top sprayers?!?!?

[@g-unit2069]

Is this the reason why my silverware has brown spots

[@rogerdye]

Thank you..very helpful.

[@joemcmorrow467]

Where have I heard that music before?

[@davidarmstrong1421]

Anyone who owns a Maytag ever notice the kick plate has a service manual in there? I just got my Maytag last months and I noticed it.

[@larry40]

That white screen isnt removable but will come pretty clean if you back flush it with the sprayer on the sink just fyi...

[@tynelson5502]

Is the metal dome piece necessary

[@pende97]

Yes. It prevents the food particles from being shot back up all over the dishes being cleaned.

[@powerofme7144]

I cleaned it out but it still takes forever to begin a wash. After 30 minutes of nothing, I stopped it.

[@EydieMerwitzer]

Worried that I'll get it all apart and won't be able to get it back together!!!🥴😵‍💫🥺😱

[@BiologicalAI7]

Mines brand new, how the hell could mine need to have this cleaned? I think my issue is something else.

[@aurimasalkevicius8619]

Does anyone else have issues with food particles getting stuck in the arm holes? I am having a constant battle :(

[@dancook4993]

My Maytag chopper motor tore up at 16 months old same model 3rd Maytag in 5 years Samsung now way better,

[@PAKfromFYCB]

shitty dishwasher. i was tired of replacing cheap chopper assemblies in my old machine but now that ive had this one open i wish id kept servicing my old one every 6 months when the cheap chopper rusts out

[@waynesorensen7071]

great video ! but dont let your fiance' see you doing this with your engagement ring on!

[@tipstolevelupinlife5837]

top rack not cleaning but free of debris

[@tbirddbird615]

Very informative, Thank you so much!! But please, for the love of God, wear gloves next time 🤢🤢🤮🤮

[@colemanmiller]

Does anyone else have large food particles clog up the spray arms? How do I get it to stop? Maytag is no help, they just want me to call my local service tech. I can replace this garbage dishwasher for less than calling out a service tech.

[@rubenmontelongo9539]

I'm having the same issue, came here to check if I missed something installing the filter. All the info I've found says the filter shouldn't let large particles get to the spray arms but everything seems correctly installed and I still have to unclog the spray arms after every wash.

[@aaronvanderwal]

I’m pretty sure there’s a hole in your filter somewhere. I’m currently having the same problem. For a few days I had a loud grinding noise, then I found some shredded metal in the arm holes. It looked like a metal mesh that had been shredded. Since then I’ve been getting large food particles in the arms.

[@coryj1984]

Anyone have any luck fixing this issue? Which part needs to be replaced?

[@cryangallegos]

@@aaronvanderwal fwiw, if you were ever wondering, there is a metal mesh covered disposal chopper that they decided to put INSIDE the circulation pump assembly that breaks very easily. Absolute garbage design and quality. Maytag is crap, would recommend a Bosch

[@aaronvanderwal]

@@cryangallegos Thank you very much! I’ve kind of been living with it, but just near the end of my extended warranty I’m planning to schedule a repair. This is very useful information.

[@tynelson5502]

Dishwasher still won’t clean worth a shit

[@EXTREME-DIARRHEA-BLASTING]

That's likely because you're not adding detergent for the prewash cycle. Look at the detergent tray more closely. You'll see the space for it.

[@toddjohnson989]

excellent video will be doing mine soon