If your Maytag dryer not drying clothes all the way, the problem could be with your Maytag dryer moisture sensor. The purpose of the moisture sensor is to monitor the remaining moisture in your clothes and adjust the drying cycle if need be. When it’s working properly, this hopefully prevents the under (or over) drying of your clothes. Here’s how a Maytag dryer moisture sensor works:
How Does A Maytag Moisture Sensor Work?
In order to make the drying cycle as efficient as possible, most automatic drying systems don’t use a timer. This is because different types of clothes dry at different speeds. While your automatic drying system won’t ever be 100 percent efficient, manufacturers have developed a couple of more effective methods than a timer.
Some dryer models utilize their automatic drying system by measuring the humidity level in the dryer’s exhaust. When the humidity level reaches a low enough point, the drying cycle stops. So when your Maytag dryer is not drying clothes all the way, that could indicate that thmaytag dryer not drying clothes all the wayere’s debris in the exhaust vent affecting the reading.
A more advanced (and often more accurate) method uses a dryer moisture sensor in the dryer’s drum. This moisture sensor measures low levels of electrical current being passed through the clothes during the cycle. Wet clothes will allow the current to flow easily. As the clothes dry, the current between the two sensors will get weaker, eventually ceasing the cycle when the current indicates the clothes are sufficiently dry.
Maytag Dryer Not Drying Clothes All The Way?
You’re probably wondering at this point, “What should I do if my Maytag dryer is not drying clothes all the way?” The first thing to do is to determine which method described above that your Maytag dryer uses. Check your owner’s manual or Maytag.com to verify. If your model measures humidity in the dryer’s exhaust, cleaning the dryer vent could help the dryer’s effectiveness tremendously (not to mention prevent a safety hazard). For the other models with electrical sensors, chances are that those sensors need to be cleaned too. This is especially the case if you use dryer sheets, which can cause build-up on the sensors. Follow this cleaning method for best results…
Cleaning Your Maytag Dryer Moisture Sensor
- Locate dryer moisture sensor. It’s typically found on the back wall of the dryer drum or in the front near the lint trap.
- Use fine grit sandpaper to scrub the moisture sensor. This will help remove fabric softener build-up, lint, or any debris that is interfering with the sensor.
- Use a dry rag to polish up moisture sensor. Wiping with a dry rag will ensure the sensor is clean.
- Test dryer. On your next load, check that the auto-dry setting is on and evaluate how your dryer is performing. If it’s still not drying clothes all the way, your sensor is likely malfunctioning.
If your Maytag dryer is still not drying clothes all the way, your sensor likely needs to be replaced. If you suspect this is the case and you’re located in the Portland, OR or Seattle, WA areas, contact us today! We’ll be happy to help you fix this problem.
