Maytag Washer Dryer: not effective at removing pet hair

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Maytag Washer Dryer is struggling to remove pet hair from your laundry, you're not alone. Many users experience residual pet hair on clothes even after wash and dry cycles. This issue often stems from a missing or improperly installed Pet Pro filter, overloading the machine, or a buildup of hair inside the washer and dryer. Understanding these causes can help restore your appliance's effectiveness.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

  • Maytag Pet Pro system requires proper installation and use of Pet Pro filter and modifier to capture pet hair effectively
  • Some Maytag washers without Pet Pro system may not be as effective at pet hair removal, require more manual pre-treatment

Possible Causes

Pet hair not being captured due to missing or improperly installed Pet Pro filter

How to Identify: Pet Pro filter not installed in agitator or not used with Pet Pro modifier cycle; hair remains on clothes after wash

Part: Pet Pro Filter (washer)

Overloading washer/dryer preventing agitation and hair removal

How to Identify: Loads tightly packed with little room to move; clothes still hairy after cycles; reduced agitation efficiency

Part: Washer drum/Dryer drum capacity

Pet hair buildup in washer/dryer not removed regularly

How to Identify: Visible clumps of pet hair inside machine; hair stuck under rubber gasket or lint trap; hair redistributed onto clothes

Part: Washer drum, dryer lint trap

DIY Solutions

Install and clean Pet Pro filter properly

Easy 5–10 minutes
Tools Needed: None
  1. Ensure Pet Pro filter is correctly installed in the agitator
  2. Enable Pet Pro modifier or cycle when washing pet hair-laden loads
  3. After cycle, remove the filter and clean accumulated hair under running water or with cloth
⚠️ Safety First: Do not operate machine without filter if recommended in manual

Pre-treat laundry and use smart wash/dry sequence

Moderate 10–20 minutes
Tools Needed: Lint roller, Dryer sheet or dryer balls
  1. Use lint roller or rubber gloves to remove visible hair from clothes before washing
  2. Optionally tumble dry on low/no-heat with dryer sheet/dryer balls for ~10 minutes before washing to loosen hair
  3. Wash normally with appropriate cycle and avoid overloading machine

Clean washer/dryer interiors

Easy 15–30 minutes
Tools Needed: Vacuum with crevice tool, Damp cloth
  1. Leave washer door open to air dry and loosen dried hair
  2. Vacuum and wipe inside washer drum, rubber gasket, and dryer lint trap
  3. Run an empty rinse or cleaning cycle to flush remaining hair
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure machine is unplugged when cleaning near electrical parts

Next step

Choose the next step for not effective at removing pet hair

Confirm the diagnosis before ordering. An error code can identify the system involved, but it does not prove that a specific part has failed.

Check during diagnosis

Most relevant component to inspect

Dryer Drum Assembly

Forms the rotating drum that carries clothing through the drying cycle.

Typical part-only price
$180 - $500
DIY difficulty
Hard
Estimated time
90-180 mins
Where can I find the model number?

Check the rating label around the door, lid, frame, rear panel, or inside the appliance cabinet. Use the complete model number, including suffixes.

Find a part that fits my model

Verify the complete model and part number on the retailer's compatibility page before ordering.

Other parts options

Check related components first; use model search as a fallback.

Possible related component

Dryer Lint Filter

Captures lint from exhaust air before it reaches the dryer vent path.

$15 - $55 · Easy · 5 mins

Check fit & price
Model number required

Model-compatible Washer Dryer parts

Enter the complete model number to browse compatible replacement parts. This is a model-based parts search, not a diagnosis that a specific component failed.

Find a part that fits my model

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Optional routine care

Maintenance supplies

These products support cleaning or routine upkeep. They are separate from the possible repair components above and are not claimed to fix this error code or symptom.

Maintenance supply

Dryer Vent Cleaning Kit

Helps remove routine lint buildup from an accessible dryer vent path. It does not diagnose or repair an E-code or failed component.

View maintenance supply
Maintenance supply

Lint Trap Cleaning Brush

A narrow brush for routine cleaning around an accessible lint screen and housing.

View maintenance supply
Maintenance supply

Dryer Vent Hose Kit

A replacement exhaust duct option for visibly crushed or damaged external venting. Check diameter, length, local code, and installation clearance.

View maintenance supply

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Recommendations are based on routine-care relevance, not commission rate.

Professional Repairs

Servicing of Pet Pro filter mechanism or agitator assembly

Estimated Cost: $50–$150

Inspection and cleaning of drain pump and hoses

Estimated Cost: $100–$300

When to Call a Professional

Persistent hair and clogs remain after thorough cleaning and proper filter use
Signs of mechanical issues such as unusual noises, error codes, or drainage problems

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean lint traps and Pet Pro filter: Clogs and hair redistribution
    Frequency: After each pet-hair-heavy load
  • Vacuum and wipe machine interiors: Buildup of pet hair in washer/drum
    Frequency: Monthly
  • Brush pet regularly: Excess pet hair entering laundry
    Frequency: Weekly
  • Avoid overloading washer/dryer: Ineffective hair removal
    Frequency: Every load

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Washer Dryer not effective at removing pet hair?
Common causes include a missing or improperly installed Pet Pro filter, overloading the machine, or hair buildup in the washer and dryer.
How do I fix Maytag Washer Dryer not effective at removing pet hair myself?
You can clean or install the Pet Pro filter, pre-treat laundry, and regularly clean the washer and dryer interiors to improve hair removal.
How much does it cost to fix not effective at removing pet hair?
Professional repairs for this issue typically range from $50 to $150 for servicing the Pet Pro filter and $100 to $300 for inspecting the drain pump and hoses.
When should I call a technician for not effective at removing pet hair?
If DIY solutions don’t resolve the issue or you're facing complex problems with the filter mechanism or drain system, it's best to consult a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Guidance from available sources; statistical claims are shown only for samples of at least 10 discussions

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Lint filter is clogged or dirty, reducing airflow and trapping pet hair
  • Incorrect wash cycle or settings not optimized for pet hair removal
  • Worn or damaged drum seals, allowing pet hair to escape during the wash

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Clean the lint filter: Remove the lint filter from the washer dryer, rinse it under warm water to remove any debris, and let it dry completely before reinserting it.

  2. Adjust wash settings: Use a cycle designed for heavy-duty cleaning or pet hair removal, and consider adding a pet hair removal product to the wash.

  3. Inspect and replace drum seals: Open the washer dryer and check the drum seals for wear or damage. If damaged, replace them to ensure pet hair is contained during washing.

Limited-source guidance; percentages and success-rate claims are not shown
View Sources

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

  1. Maytag Pet Pro

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