Maytag Dishwasher: using incorrect detergent

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Maytag dishwasher is using incorrect detergent, you may notice excessive suds, poor cleaning, or even overflow during operation. This typically occurs when non-dishwasher detergents, such as hand dish soap or laundry detergent, are used. These products can lead to suds buildup and residue, negatively impacting your dishwasher's performance.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

  • Maytag documentation emphasizes using automatic dishwasher detergent only and warns that incorrect or excessive detergent causes suds, bubbles, or soap foam impeding normal function.

Possible Causes

Use of non‑dishwasher detergent (e.g., dish soap or laundry detergent)

How to Identify: Excessive suds during or after wash cycle, soap foam escaping from dishwasher, poor cleaning results

Part: Detergent compartment and wash system

Excessive suds blocking components

How to Identify: Suds build‑up inside dishwasher, water or foam pushing out of door, reduced washing action

Part: Spray arms, filters, pump

Residue buildup from inappropriate detergent

How to Identify: Cloudy film or residue on dishes, internal surfaces after cycle

Part: Dishware and interior surfaces

DIY Solutions

Stop cycle & clear suds

Easy 10–20 minutes
Tools Needed: towels, cup or ladle
  1. Cancel current dishwasher cycle and open door to stop sud production
  2. Use towels and a cup or ladle to remove excess suds
  3. Wipe interior surfaces to clear foam
⚠️ Safety First: Be cautious of slippery floors from suds

Rinse and drain to remove residue

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: cold water source, possibly table salt or vegetable oil
  1. Close dishwasher and add a gallon of cold water to tub to help dissipate suds
  2. Run a short rinse/drain cycle without detergent
  3. If suds persist, add table salt or a small amount of oil to break down foam and run another rinse
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure no dishes present during rinse cycles

Professional Repairs

Service cleaning and inspection

Estimated Cost: $100–$250

Pump or spray arm clearing/replacement

Estimated Cost: $150–$400

When to Call a Professional

If dishwasher continues to oversudse after multiple rinse cycles
If internal components appear clogged or dishwasher fails to run properly after clearing
If water or foam leakage persists despite DIY actions

Preventive Maintenance

  • Store detergents clearly labeled and separate from other soaps: Accidental use of wrong detergent
    Frequency: ongoing
  • Clean dishwasher filter monthly: Residue and soap build‑up affecting performance
    Frequency: monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Dishwasher using incorrect detergent?
Commonly due to using non-dishwasher detergent like dish soap or laundry detergent, leading to excessive suds.
How do I fix Maytag Dishwasher using incorrect detergent myself?
Cancel the cycle, clear suds with towels, and run a rinse cycle with cold water.
How much does it cost to fix using incorrect detergent?
Professional repairs can range from $100 to $400, depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for using incorrect detergent?
If problems persist after DIY solutions or if excessive residue is present, consider professional help.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

85%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • User mistakenly uses regular dish soap instead of dishwasher detergent
  • Using a low-quality or non-dishwasher specific detergent that causes excessive suds
  • Using too much dishwasher detergent, leading to residue buildup and poor cleaning

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Switch to using a high-quality dishwasher detergent specifically designed for dishwashers. Run a cleaning cycle with no dishes to clear any soap residue.

  2. If suds are present, stop the cycle immediately, and use towels to soak up excess suds. Then, run a rinse cycle to clear the interior of the dishwasher.

  3. Check the detergent dispenser for clogs or residue buildup. Clean it thoroughly before using it again.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Maytag Dishwasher Detergent

Community Discussions

using regular dish soap instead of dishwashing detergent

Switch to using dishwasher detergent and run a cleaning cycle to remove any buildup.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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