How to Clean Maytag Dishwasher: Filter, Spray Arms, Hidden Sump & Odor Fixes

If your Maytag is leaving a gritty film or bits of food inside your cups, the dishwasher itself is usually the problem, not your detergent. Under the lower spray arm sits a filter area and sump that collect a surprising amount of sludge, grease and even broken glass. Here’s how to clean a Maytag dishwasher properly: take out the upper rack, unclip and slide out the spray arm pipe, unscrew the lower spray arm, lift off the metal shield and plastic filter cover, then clean the gunk out of the sump and filter, rinse everything and reassemble.

Fair warning: the first time you open this area on a dishwasher that’s never been cleaned, it’s genuinely unpleasant. You’ll likely find a jelly-like layer of old food and grease. It’s also where the dirt on your dishes has been coming from. The Repairior editorial team put this guide together from Maytag care guidance and what technicians find when they open these machines in real homes.

Why Your Maytag Leaves Dirt in Cups

A dishwasher recirculates the same wash water through its filter many times per cycle. When the filter and sump are packed with old food, the water that gets sprayed back onto your dishes is dirty. Cups take the worst of it because they sit upside down on the top rack and catch the spray from below.

Symptom	Most likely cause	Where to clean
Grit or specks inside cups and glasses	Clogged filter and sump	Under the lower spray arm
Top rack dishes dirty, bottom rack fine	Blocked spray arm pipe or middle arm	Spray arm pipe and upper arm
Sour or rotten smell	Rotting food in the sump	Sump and filter
Water left in the bottom	Filter blocked, or a drain problem	Filter first, then drain hose
Musty smell, dark spots on seals	Mold on door gasket	Door seal and bottom lip

Which Maytag Filter System Do You Have?

Maytag has used two designs. Check the floor of the tub before you start:

What you see under the lower spray arm	System	What to do
A round twist-out filter with a handle	Newer dual filtration (upper cylinder filter plus flat lower filter)	Twist counterclockwise, lift out, rinse. See the short section below.
A metal shield and plastic cover around the center, held by clips	Older design with a sump and hinged filter under a cover	Full disassembly in the steps below

Your model number is printed on a label along the edge of the door or tub opening. Take a photo before you start in case you need parts later.

What You’ll Need

• Cut-resistant or thick rubber gloves. Don’t skip these; the sump often hides glass shards.
• Paper towels or a disposable rag for scooping out sludge
• A sink of hot water with dish soap
• An old toothbrush and a sponge
• A toothpick for spray arm holes
• A cup or spray bottle of water for rinsing the sump
• Your phone, to photograph parts before removing them

How to Clean a Maytag Dishwasher Step by Step

Step 1: Turn off the power and empty the dishwasher

Switch off the dishwasher at the circuit breaker or unplug it under the sink. Unload any dishes and pull out the bottom rack, setting it aside.

Step 2: Remove the upper rack

At the end of each upper rack rail there’s a clip or stop. Press it in and the upper rack can slide off the rails. You need the rack out of the way to reach the clips holding the spray arm pipe.

Step 3: Unclip and remove the spray arm pipe

Running up the back wall of the tub is the pipe that feeds water to the upper spray arms. It’s held by clips:

1. Undo the two clips at the top of the pipe.
2. Undo the two clips in the middle.
3. Slide the pipe down and out of the bottom of the dishwasher.

Check inside the pipe and the upper spray arm for debris and rinse them out. A blocked pipe is a common reason the top rack doesn’t get clean.

Step 4: Remove the lower spray arm

Find the plastic wheel or nut at the center of the lower spray arm. Turn it counterclockwise and the arm pops right off. Set it aside to clean its spray holes later.

Step 5: Take off the metal shield and plastic filter cover

Under the spray arm you’ll see a metal shield (a round fine screen) held on by clips at four points around a ring. Release the clips and lift the shield off. It can be fiddly the first time; work your way around gently rather than forcing one side.

Under the shield is a plastic cover or ring. It pops straight out. You may find the first layer of grime right here.

Step 6: Clean out the sump, carefully

This is the part that makes the biggest difference, and it’s often the most disgusting. Under the cover is the sump, where old food and grease settle into a thick, jelly-like sludge. On a dishwasher that’s never been cleaned, it can be a lot.

• Scoop out the sludge with paper towels or a disposable rag, wearing gloves.
• Watch for broken glass. This area traps glass shards from any glass that’s ever broken in the dishwasher. Feel slowly, don’t sweep your fingers around blindly, and pick out shards one at a time.
• Remove seeds, labels, bone fragments and anything else stuck in the opening.

Step 7: Open and wash the hinged filter piece

The filter part from this area splits into two halves that pivot on a hinge. Open it up, rinse both sides under hot running water and scrub with a toothbrush and a little dish soap. Then snap it back together into one piece.

Wash the metal shield and the plastic cover the same way. Hold the shield up to the light to make sure the fine holes are clear. Don’t use steel wool or wire brushes; they damage the screen.

Step 8: Rinse the sump

Go back to the dishwasher and pour or spray clean water into the sump to flush out what’s left. Wipe it out once more. A small amount of water staying in the sump is normal.

Step 9: Clean the spray arms

Hold the lower spray arm up to the light. Push a toothpick through any hole you can’t see through, then rinse the arm through its center opening. Do the same for the upper and middle arms.

Step 10: Reassemble in the right order

This is where people get stuck, so go slowly:

1. Plastic filter cover: it only goes in one way, with the grated side facing down. If it won’t sit flat, it’s probably upside down.
2. Line up the arched notch. There’s a small arched piece on the ring that matches a similar arched piece underneath it. Line those up and the ring seats correctly.
3. Spray arm pipe: slide it in from the bottom, then fasten the two middle clips, then the two top clips.
4. Metal shield: set it over the ring and press it down so all four tabs catch in their four positions around the ring.
5. Lower spray arm: set it on the center and turn the plastic wheel clockwise to lock it. Spin the arm by hand; it should turn freely.
6. Reinstall the upper rack and its rail clips, then the bottom rack.

Step 11: Run a hot cleaning cycle

Restore power. With the dishwasher empty, put a dishwasher cleaner in the detergent cup, or set a cup of white vinegar upright on the top rack, and run the hottest cycle. This flushes out residue loosened during cleaning and dissolves grease and scale in the hoses. Check under the door for leaks during the first few minutes in case something isn’t seated.

How to Clean a Maytag Dishwasher Filter on Newer Models

Newer Maytags with dual filtration are much quicker:

1. Remove the bottom rack.
2. Turn the upper cylinder filter counterclockwise a quarter turn and lift it out.
3. Lift and slide out the flat lower filter.
4. Rinse both under warm water, scrubbing gently with a soft brush and dish soap.
5. Wipe out the opening, then slide the lower filter back in, drop the upper filter in and turn it clockwise until it locks.

Do this about once a month. Never run the dishwasher without the filters in place.

Don’t Forget the Door Seal and Bottom Lip

The rubber gasket around the tub and the bottom edge of the door never get hit by the wash spray, so grease and moisture sit there. Wipe them with warm soapy water or a half vinegar, half water spray, and use a toothbrush in the folds. Black spots that won’t wipe off are mold; see how to clean a moldy dishwasher.

Maytag Parts You’ll Remove

Part	How it comes off	How it goes back
Upper rack	Press the rail clip, slide out	Slide on, replace clip
Spray arm pipe	Two top clips, two middle clips, slide out the bottom	Slide in from the bottom, middle clips, then top clips
Lower spray arm	Turn wheel counterclockwise	Turn wheel clockwise
Metal shield	Release clips around the ring	Press on so all four tabs catch
Plastic filter cover	Pops out	Grated side down, arched notches aligned
Hinged filter	Splits in two on a hinge	Snap back into one piece

How to Get Rid of a Maytag Dishwasher Smell

1. Clean the sump and filter area; it’s the main source of odor.
2. Wipe the door gasket and bottom lip.
3. Make sure the drain hose has a high loop or air gap so sink water can’t flow back.
4. Run the garbage disposal before starting the dishwasher.
5. Run a hot cleaning cycle, then leave the door cracked to dry.

Can You Use Bleach in a Maytag Dishwasher?

Many Maytags have stainless steel tubs, which chlorine bleach can pit and stain. Use dish soap, vinegar or a dishwasher cleaner instead, and never mix bleach with vinegar. If your tub is plastic, read can I put bleach in my dishwasher first.

How Often to Clean a Maytag Dishwasher

Task	How often
Twist-out filters (newer models)	Monthly; every 2 weeks with daily use
Full sump and filter clean (older models)	Every 2–3 months, or when cups come out dirty
Hot cleaner or vinegar cycle	Monthly
Door seal and bottom lip	Every 1–2 weeks
Spray arm holes and pipe	Every 2–3 months

If you’ve never done the full clean, expect the first one to take longest. After that, regular cleaning keeps the sludge from building up again.

Safety Tips

• Always cut the power before removing parts.
• Wear gloves; glass shards in the sump can cause deep cuts.
• Photograph each part before removing it so reassembly is easy.
• Don’t force clips. If one won’t release, look for a second tab.
• Never run the dishwasher with the filter cover, shield or filters missing.

When Cleaning Doesn’t Fix It

If you’ve cleaned the sump, filter and spray arms and still see any of these, call a technician:

• Water standing on the tub floor after a cycle
• Cups and glasses still dirty with a clean filter
• Error codes or flashing lights
• No fill, no heat or poor drying
• Leaks after reassembly, or a broken clip or tab that won’t hold a part

Find Dishwasher Repair Near You

If your Maytag still won’t clean or drain properly after a full clean, compare local appliance technicians and request free quotes. Share your model number and what you’ve already done.

Browse dishwasher repair companies · Get free dishwasher repair quotes · Dishwasher repair service guide

Maytag Dishwasher Cleaning: Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag dishwasher leaving dirt in my cups?

Usually a clogged filter and sump recirculating dirty water, or a blocked spray arm pipe. Clean the sump, filter and spray arms, then run a hot cleaning cycle.

Where is the filter on a Maytag dishwasher?

Under the lower spray arm on the tub floor. Newer models have a twist-out cylinder filter and a flat lower filter. Older models have a metal shield and plastic cover over a sump and hinged filter.

How do I clean a Maytag dishwasher filter?

On newer models, twist out the filters and rinse them. On older models, remove the lower spray arm, unclip the metal shield, pop out the plastic cover, clean the sump, open the hinged filter, wash everything and reassemble.

How do I remove the spray arm on a Maytag dishwasher?

Turn the plastic wheel at the center of the lower arm counterclockwise and it pops off. The pipe for the upper arms is held by two top clips and two middle clips and slides out the bottom.

Which way does the Maytag filter cover go back in?

With the grated side facing down. Line up the small arched piece on the ring with the matching arched piece underneath it.

Is it normal to find glass in my dishwasher filter?

Yes, if a glass has ever broken in the dishwasher. Shards collect in the sump and filter area, so always wear gloves and remove them carefully.

How often should I clean my Maytag dishwasher?

Rinse twist-out filters monthly. On older models, do the full sump clean every two to three months, and run a hot cleaning cycle monthly.

Can I use vinegar in my Maytag dishwasher?

Yes, occasionally. A cup of white vinegar upright on the top rack during an empty hot cycle helps remove film and odors.

Related Guides

• How to Clean a Dishwasher
• How to Clean GE Dishwasher
• How to Clean a KitchenAid Dishwasher
• How to Clean a Frigidaire Dishwasher
• How to Clean a Moldy Dishwasher
• Dishwasher Repair Houston

Conclusion

Learning how to clean a Maytag dishwasher means getting past the spray arms to the sump, where the real mess hides.

• Remove the upper rack, the spray arm pipe and the lower spray arm.
• Unclip the metal shield and pop out the plastic filter cover.
• Clear the sludge and any glass from the sump, wearing gloves.
• Open and wash the hinged filter, rinse the sump and clear the spray arm holes.
• Reassemble with the grated side down and the arched notches aligned, then run a hot cleaning cycle.
• If cups still come out dirty or water won’t drain, get free quotes from a local technician.

About This Guide

Editorial policy

This guide was written by David C and reviewed by the Repairior Editorial Team using Maytag care guidance and the cleaning routine appliance technicians follow in customers’ homes. Businesses cannot pay to be featured in our how-to content.

Content transparency

Filter designs, clips and parts vary by Maytag model and year. Follow your owner’s manual where it differs from this guide, and turn off power before removing parts. Repairior is not affiliated with Maytag and earns revenue from optional business plans, which do not affect this guide.

About the author

David C is part of the Repairior Editorial Team, which researches home appliance care and repair and works with local repair businesses across the US, helping homeowners fix what they can and know when to call a pro.

Helpful official resource: Maytag owner support.