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Maytag Washers & Dryers

Maytag Appliances • Air conditioners • Dishwashers • Ranges • Refrigerators • Washers/dryers --- News • Millions of Maytag, Jenn-Air Dishwashers Recalled • Whirlpool-Maytag Merger Gets Final OK • Maytag Shareholders Approve Merger With Whirlpool • Whirlpool Wins Maytag Bidding • Whirlpool Bids $1.3 Billion For Maytag • Maytag Sold to Investor Group • Maytag Settles Neptune Washer Lawsuit

The acquisition of Maytag by Whirlpool was supposed to create all kinds of new efficiencies that would result in better products, lower prices and so forth. Whether it has is open to debate, especially when it comes to washers and dryers. The consumers we hear from feel they've been hung out to dry.

Maytag's washer/dryer models include:

• Neptune Perhaps the most notorious, these models have set off torrents of consumer cursing and resulted in at least one major class action lawsuit;
• Atlantis Mold and mildew are among the problems with these models;
• Legacy Turns washday into something resembling a bumpy airplane ride, we're told.

New Bravos Series

Maytag is hoping its Bravos line of washers and dryers provides fewer problems. Introduced in early 2008, the new Maytag Bravos' top-loading, high-efficiency laundry pair introduces steam in the dryer to relax wrinkles, remove odors and refresh clothing and household fabrics, according to the company.

"It's a new way of thinking about laundry," said Blane Buckingham, director of Maytag brand marketing. "Many items of clothing, like sweaters or skirts that have only been worn once, may not need a complete wash and dry cycle or a trip to the drycleaners. The Maytag Bravos steam dryer quickly refreshes and deodorizes these items so they can be worn again, saving time and money."

The Bravos steam dryer offers a variety of steam cycles, including the 15-minute "Rapid Refresh" setting, to quickly rejuvenate a single item or outfit. The "Custom Refresh" steam cycle is for larger loads and is ideal to de-wrinkle clothes left overnight in the dryer, or to refresh and deodorize throw pillows, comforters or curtains.

From Maytag's perspective, the Bravos washer and dryer adds the power of steam to its list of features. In addition, the washer offers the preferred top-load design, largest capacity available (4.6 cu. ft.), and high efficiency functionality that reportedly saves 51 percent more water and 62 percent more energy than conventional top-load washers.

Where there is steam, there has to be water. The Bravos dryer connects to the existing laundry-room waterline. The company says that means there is no reservoir to fill, just on-demand steam cycles with the push of a button. Inside the dryer, a small nozzle distributes a fine mist of water throughout the heated dryer as clothes tumble. The heated air combines with mist to form steam to help relax wrinkles and remove odors from dry clothes.

But Paula, of Wyoming, NY, wrote to ConsumerAffairs.com to say she bought the new Maytag combo and is very dissatisfied.

"The washer knots every item into a tangled mess and the dryer is unable to get the wrinkles out and takes 2-3 cycles to get the clothes dry," she said.

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