How Long Is the PowerWash Cycle On Maytag Washer?

A Maytag Power Wash Cycle guarantees heated water and prolonged rinsing, which means more time. But how long is the PowerWash cycle on Maytag washer?

A PowerWash cycle takes an average of 2 hours on a Maytag washer, but it could be slightly more, depending on the wash cycle you pair it with. So, while most Maytag washer cycles average one hour, you’ll have to wait at least twice the time to clean your clothes with PowerWash.

You probably are wondering why it takes so much time. As I mentioned, the longer washing time attributes to the cycles’ longer rinse time which is necessary to dissolve tough stains, as well as the time spent to heat the water as PowerWash works with heated water.

I’ll explain more about that and other essential details, such as how the PowerWash works, its pros and cons, and how it’s different from other cycles.

Let’s jump into it!

how long is the PowerWash cycle on Maytag washer

What Is the Power Wash Cycle On a Maytag Washer?

The PowerWash Cycle on a Maytag washer is a cycle that combines concentrated cleaning and powerful wash action to promise thorough stain removal and dirt dissolution, respectively.

This setting is available on the top-loading Maytag washer, where the washer acts either using the impeller or agitator. PowerWash uses hot water, which effectively breaks down dirt, and dissolves stains and detergents.

But How Long Is the PowerWash Cycle On Maytag Washer?

While a normal Maytag washer wash cycle takes 50 – 60 minutes, it takes 2 hours on average to complete a PowerWash cycle. Why? That’s because of these two reasons:

a) Hot Water Requirement

PowerWash requires hot water, so it takes a bit of time for the washer to heat it up. Ideally, the hot water softens the tough stains and dirt and dissolves the detergent quicker, enabling the washer to clean the clothes thoroughly.

Inside the drum is a heater that does the water-heating job.

b) Extra Rinse Time

Stubborn stains take much longer to rinse off, which is what PowerWash does. It prolongs the rinse time, allowing stubborn stains to loosen up and dirt to dissolve.

Ultimately, the wait is worth it as the washer can thoroughly wipe out the tough marks and even prevent foul odor.

How Does Maytag PowerWash Work?

Maytag washing machines employ PowerWash technology in two ways:

a) 360-Degrees Wash Action

Maytag top loaders with a power agitator use the agitator to knock down tough stains in a 360-degree powerful wash action.

The 360-degree robust action ensures movement in all directions, allowing stains to break up from every part of the laundry.

b) Reverse Wash Action

While Maytag washers with a power agitator employ the 360 degrees wash action, those with a power impeller employ the Reverse Wash action. Here the impeller moves the clothes in a reverse motion and allows triple-action water spray to ease the stains and saturate the clothes with water and detergent.

Note that it’s not just about robust movements (360-degree and reverse wash action) but also about the heated water critical to the effectiveness of the PowerWash. The hot water fastens the dissolution of laundry detergent and loosens the tough marks on clothes.

What Is the Power Wash Cycle On a Maytag Washer

Pros and Cons of PowerWash

The Pros

Generally, the Maytag washers power wash cycle has these advantages:

Effective against stubborn stains – Through its powerful wash action and hot water usage, PowerWash removes stubborn stains and dirt from clothes, which you can’t remove with a regular cycle.
Compatible with other cycles – PowerWash can be paired with a regular cycle, wash cycles like Heavy Duty and Deep Water Wash to guarantee a more thorough wash. So you don’t have to use PowerWash alone.
Suitable for longer loads – You can comfortably wash larger loads with PowerWash and still end up with clean clothes. The only sacrifice is that the larger the load, the longer the cycle time.

Effective against smelly odor – PowerWash saturates your clothes with hot water and detergent, which absorbs terrible smells from stains. So, not only do you get clean clothes but also ones that smell fresh.

The Cons

On the downside, PowerWash has these concerns:

Longer wash time – Time is arguably the biggest sacrifice you have to make. PowerWash cycles take time and, as shared earlier. It’s at least 2 hours which may be a lot for someone who wants a quick wash.

Higher bill – Since PowerWash uses heated water, you’ll have to pay more on your energy bill. Hence, PowerWash is not a good idea when trying to save on power.
Not ideal for delicates – Delicate fabrics like silk and lace require a gentler wash action, which PowerWash isn’t. If you use PowerWash on these fabrics, you’ll damage them.

What’s PowerWash Best for?

Given the aggressive nature of its wash action, PowerWash is not ideal for delicates like silk and lace, as shared earlier. The other thing is that since the cycle uses hot water, it’s not suitable for washing colored clothes that are likely to fade.

So what can you wash? Well, PowerWash is best for the following:

Heavily soiled or stained clothes
Sturdy fabrics like linen and denim

How PowerWash Compares with Other Similar Wash Cycles

Here’s how PowerWash compares with other Maytag wash cycles:

PowerWash Vs. Normal Wash

While a Normal Wash takes an average of 1 hour to wash normally-soiled clothes, PowerWash takes twice the time to wash heavily-soiled clothes.

The other difference is that you need warm water for a Normal Wash, but the water has to be hot for PowerWash.

· PowerWash Vs. Deep Water Wash

On average, a Deep Water Wash cycle takes 60 – 90 minutes to run, while a Power Wash takes 120 minutes or more. So, again, PowerWash has a more extended cycle time.

Both cycles, however, are best for the heaviest soiled garments with sturdy fabrics. For that reason, you can pair them.

What Does the 'PowerWash' Mean On a Washing Machine

· PowerWash Vs. Bedding Wash

Bedding wash is ideal for bedding and other oversized items like sleeping bags and comforters. The laundry, however, doesn’t necessarily have to be heavily soiled, which explains why you use warm water.

Overall, bedding wash cycles take 50 – 120 minutes – less time than you may need for a PowerWash.

· PowerWash Vs. Sanitize Wash

Both the PowerWash and the Sanitize Wash use hot water. Time-wise, the Sanitize Wash averages 90 – 120 minutes which might be close to how long a PowerWash cycle runs.

And performance wise, the Sanitize Wash is best for sanitizing contaminated laundry, while the PowerWash thoroughly cleans heavily soiled laundry.

· PowerWash Vs. Heavy Duty Wash

PowerWash and Heavy Duty Wash are compatible. Both require hot water and may run almost simultaneously, given that the Heavy Duty Wash averages 60 – 135 minutes. Moreover, they are best for the heaviest soiled and sturdiest fabrics.

· PowerWash Vs. Whites Cycle

The Whites Cycle runs for 90 minutes to almost 3 hours on average, making it the most extended cycle. That, however, doesn’t mean that the PowerWash can’t run that long, especially if you pair it with another cycle.

The difference is that the Whites Cycle is only best for heavily-soiled garments, while you can wash any color (as long as you can use bleach) with the PowerWash. Both cycles, however, use hot water.