Maytag Extra Power is an option button that tells the washer or dryer to work harder on a cycle you have already chosen. On a washer it adds more wash action to cut through heavy soil, and on a dryer it adds drying effort for loads that tend to stay damp. It appears on models such as the MVW6500MBK washer, which also lists the PowerWash cycle and Deep Fill or Deep Water Wash, and on the MED6500MBK dryer. The exact settings vary by model, so treat this guide as an explanation of the idea and check your owner’s manual for the specifics.
What does Extra Power change in a Maytag washer?
It changes the way the wash step runs, not the type of cycle. A normal cycle follows a schedule of filling, agitating, resting and draining. Extra Power adjusts that schedule so that the wash section is more vigorous or lasts longer, which gives soil more time and more motion to loosen from the fabric. The effect is similar to leaving a stained garment to soak and then agitating it a little more. The cycle takes longer and uses more energy and, on some settings, more water.
It does not add chemistry. Detergent still does the cleaning, so a heavily soiled load needs enough detergent for a high-efficiency washer and a pre-treated stain. Extra Power helps by giving the detergent more contact, not by replacing it.
How does it work with Deep Fill and PowerWash?
The three features pull in related directions. Deep Fill, also called Deep Water Wash on some models, raises the water level so the load floats and moves freely. PowerWash is Maytag’s cycle for tough cleaning, which our PowerWash glossary explains. Extra Power sits on top of the chosen cycle and increases the intensity of the wash. Used together on a stubborn, bulky load such as work clothes or bedding, they reinforce each other. Used on a small load of everyday clothes, they only add time and wear.
When is Extra Power worth using?
Use it on loads that are truly dirty: muddy work clothes, sports uniforms, towels with grease or heavy sweat, pet bedding and loads with dried-in stains. It is also useful for large, bulky items that do not rinse out easily. Skip it for delicates, for silks and wool, for anything labeled hand-wash and for loads with only light soil. The extra action is rougher on fabric, and clothes that are lightly worn gain nothing from it.
A good habit is to try the normal cycle first for borderline items, then rewash with Extra Power only if needed. That saves time, water and energy over the long run. Our Maytag washer cycle settings guide shows how cycles and options combine.
What does Extra Power do on the dryer?
On the MED6500MBK dryer, Extra Power is an option for loads that are hard to dry, such as thick towels, jeans or bedding. It adds drying effort so the cycle keeps going longer or more thoroughly rather than ending on the first dry reading. Pair it with the dryer’s moisture sensing, which stops the cycle when the load is dry, and you get a full dry without leaving the cycle to run on timer alone. If you find yourself needing Extra Power on every load, though, the cause is usually airflow rather than the load; clogged lint screens and vents lengthen drying, and our Maytag dryer takes too long guide shows how to check.
How does Extra Power affect fabric, time and your bills?
Every extra minute of agitation is wear on fabric, and every extra minute of motor time is electricity. Neither is large for a single load, but over a year of daily use the difference is noticeable. Fabrics with heavy wear, such as school uniforms and work clothes, can take it. Fine knits and dark cotton shirts will fade and pill faster. If you are watching the clock, note that Extra Power can add a good part of an hour to a long cycle, so do not start it when you need the load done quickly.
A practical approach is to give the option a trial on one stained load, compare the result with a normal wash and decide from there. Often a pre-treatment of the stain and a normal cycle do just as well, and the washer works less.
What if the button seems to do nothing?
First check whether the option can be combined with the cycle you chose, since some cycles do not allow it. Press the button before starting the cycle, and look for the indicator light. If the light comes on and the cycle seems no different, remember that the change may be subtle: a longer wash, not a different noise. If the button does not respond at all, or other buttons behave oddly, the control panel could be at fault; our control panel problems guide lists the checks. Rough vibration on a heavy load with Extra Power is usually an unbalanced load, covered in the vibration guide.
We are an independent repair company, not the manufacturer, and we will tell you if a feature is working as designed. If options and buttons fail, our Maytag washer repair service can check the control, and you can schedule a visit online.
