Maytag Smart Pet Pro Washer and Dryer review — my thoughts as a dog and cat mom

As a mom of three active kids, I do laundry for my family of five almost every day. From soccer to gymnastics and every activity in between, the dirty clothes pile up. Plus, with two cats and foster dogs, muddy towels and messy blankets constantly need to be cleaned. It's a challenge that even the best washing machine and best clothes dryer would struggle with. That’s why I decided to put the Maytag Smart Pet Pro Front Load Washer and Dryer to the test.

This particular Maytag pair boasts family-friendly features, smart technology, and pet-specific functionalities, but could it handle the unique challenges that come with having both pets and young children? Here’s what happened when I tried it nearly every day for a month.

Maytag Smart Pet Pro washer and dryer: First impressions

The first thing I noticed about the Maytag Pet Pro Front Load Washer and Dryer was the absolutely gorgeous color. The Midnight Steel blue is stunning, easy to clean, and makes little fingerprints, paw prints, and pet nose prints less visible. Although not fingerprint-resistant, the color seems to make them far less noticeable. This was definitely an upgrade from units we’ve previously had, which seem to almost always attract dirt and dust.

The Pet Pro Option is a standout feature for us as I’m sure it would be for anyone who battles pet hair daily. Whether from our own pets or from clothes that come home covered in fur after playdates, pet hair seems to find its way onto nearly everything. This specialized rinse cycle lifts and traps pet hair, making a noticeable difference compared to standard washers. This feature has been incredibly effective on a wide range of fabrics, from our family couch throws to the kids’ bedding, where hair tends to stick the most. While the extra water use is a downside, I haven’t seen our water bill go up by much from the additional water use.

Although there are 12 wash cycles, and five rinse and wash temperatures, there is not a separate stain treatment setting, soak cycle, or wool cycle. The stain treatment and soak settings are especially important for families with kids and pets, however the Pet Pro Option seems to do a good job in the absence of these cycles.

It's important to note that while this machine is on the larger side, families with limited space may want to measure their laundry area before buying. The bigger drum size comes with a trade-off in terms of overall footprint, but the efficiency in washing large loads far outweighs the space it takes up in our laundry room. We did not get the pedestal, which might be helpful for anyone with back issues or trouble leaning over. However, remember that a pedestal will take up even more room for an already large washer.

Maytag Smart Pet Pro washer and dryer: Performance

Maytag Smart Pet Pro washer

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the way the Smart Pet Pro can tackle large loads. Whether it’s a king size comforter or multiple sets of bedding, the washer can handle it all. This is an enormous time-saver for me, allowing me to do fewer loads for my big family overall. The large capacity also means I can wash the kids’ clothes, bedding, and towels all at once, a huge convenience for a household that always seems to have something in the laundry bin.

I find myself frequently using the Sanitize Cycle. It provides a deeper clean, removing bacteria and common allergens. This is a godsend for the kids’ school clothes, dirty pet towels from the car, and anything else covered in mud or germs. Knowing that the kids’ clothes and bedding are thoroughly cleaned and fresh brings peace of mind. Within the month that I’ve used this cycle, I’ve noticed the kids have gotten sick less.

Speaking of kids, there is no child lock on this machine; something to keep in mind for those with pets and children. Also, the door is not reversible. Because of the location of our water source, our washer needs to be on the right, making it a little awkward when switching clothes from the washer to the dryer.

My main gripe with the washer is that the built-in Pet Pro Filter constantly falls off and then rattles around the washing machine. When it is firmly on, I believe it does remove a lot of extra hair, but when it falls off, it makes a lot of noise.

There are a few aspects that I need to get used to, one of them being the power button. With each cycle I have to power on the machine and then hold the start button for a few seconds. While this isn’t a big issue, it does feel a little too long compared to other washers. After a cycle, the light eventually goes off, but to turn it off faster, simply power off the machine.

Regardless of load size, it is difficult to measure detergent because there is no visible indicator within the detergent compartment. I prefer to pour in the detergent rather than measuring in the cap of the detergent jug, but without the measure lines and load indicator in the detergent compartment, I have to measure externally.

Maytag Smart Pet Pro dryer

A feature both my husband and I noticed right away is the XL lint trap on the Maytag Pet Pro dryer. This has definitely been a game-changer for pet hair compared to other dryers. It does an excellent job trapping lint and loads of pet hair from clothes.

Additionally, the steam feature offers the power to prevent wrinkles and refresh clothes without the extra step of ironing. This is definitely a huge plus for me as a busy mom! I appreciate the way the Pet Pro Option on the dryer has a no-heat, extended dry time that lifts pet hair without extra heat that might otherwise shrink or manipulate fabric.

The Advanced Moisture Sensing ensures the clothes are dry when the cycle ends—even with heavy towels and blankets.

Maytag Smart Pet Pro washer and dryer: Smart features

The Maytag Smart Pet Pro Washer embraces smart technology that allows me to keep up with laundry even while managing other daily tasks. As an AI writer, I’m always looking to highlight advanced technology features in appliances whenever possible.

With the Maytag app, I can start, pause, or adjust wash cycles from my phone, whether I’m at home or out on an errand. I receive notifications when the cycle is complete, a huge bonus when I’m busy cooking dinner or helping with homework. The washer is compatible with Alexa, which allows voice-controlled operation, adding another layer of convenience when I have my hands full.

Oh, and get this, there is a 16-Hour Fresh Hold option. If I start a load and then get sidetracked, this function periodically tumbles the clothes for up to 16 hours, preventing them from becoming stale or musty if I forget to unload the washer. For a household with a never-ending to-do list, this feature alone is worth its weight in gold. A total game-changer!

Should you buy the Maytag Smart Pet Pro washer and dryer?

Overall, the Maytag Smart Pet Pro Front Load Washer is a thoughtfully designed appliance that meets the demands of my busy family –including the pets. The pet-focused features, like the Pet Pro Option, effectively address pet hair issues, while the Sanitize Cycle provides adds reassurance for households concerned about germs and allergens. The large drum capacity and smart connectivity streamline laundry routines, making it easy to manage family-sized loads with minimal hassle.

The machine’s performance and innovative features make it a standout option for families like mine. For anyone looking to simplify their laundry routine, reduce pet hair on fabrics, and enjoy the convenience of remote operation, the Maytag Smart Pet Pro is a top-notch choice that I definitely recommend.

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