As you may remember reading in a previous post, I was lucky enough to be chosen as a Maytag Dependable Laundry Mom!  With that designation comes the perk of trying out the new Maytag Bravos XL High-Efficiency Top Loading Washer and Steam Dryer in my own home.

I'm happy to report that I've been using the Maytag Bravos XL pair to clean my family's never-ending supply of dirty clothes for over three months now.  In this post, I want to share some of my most valuable stain-fighting tips as well as more information about Maytag's PowerSpray Technology.  Couple a little stain-fighting experience with the Maytag Bravos XL duo and you've got a one-two punch that will knock out any stain!

The Maytag Bravos XL Offers PowerSpray Technology for Enhanced Cleaning

When you have a household like mine, comprised of a mess-making husband, a mess-magnet daughter and a mess-tracking pooch, stains and ground-in dirt are the order of the day.  Thankfully, the Maytag Bravos XL has consistently found ways to help clean my family's clothes, while still saving us time and money in the process.

I can honestly report that after 3 months of using the Bravos XL to clean my family's clothes, I've not had ONE STAIN I couldn't remove!  Believe me, it's not for lack of opportunities either.  My husband seems to bring home a food stain of one kind or another on a daily basis.  But thanks to Maytag's PowerSpray Technology and a little stain-fighting know-how, my clan's clothes are clean and completely stain-free.

What's amazing about the PowerSpray feature is that it has the ability to ensure even detergent distribution for maximum cleaning.  This technology automatically mixes the detergent in with the water as it's spraying down your clothes.  Such an even distribution of detergent goes a long way into making sure that each and every garment you wash is as clean as possible.

Here are a few of my tried and true laundry secrets:

Use a degreaser ~ If your family comes home with a lot of grease-based stains, then go to the big leagues and use a degreaser like Castrol Super Clean.  It liquefies the grease and can handle the toughest stains.  Just spray it on and toss the clothes in the washer.  Don't worry, it won't harm your fabrics or your washing machine. 

Use baking soda ~ Make a paste using baking soda and a little water.  Apply this mixture directly onto any stain and then toss the clothes in the washer.  You'll be amazed at how well this little concoction works and it's ridiculously cheap and doesn't contain any harsh chemicals either.

Luckily, even after the stains are gone, the Maytag Bravos XL is still hard at work keeping your clothes looking great.  Once you toss them in the High-Efficiency Electric or Gas Steam Dryer, you can rest assured that your clothes won't do an incredible shrinking number on you.

I can't tell you how many times perfectly good clothes have been ruined in my home at the hands of the dryer.  It's hard enough for me to find pant legs or sleeves that are long enough, so it really makes me see red when the clothes dryer shrinks them!  :mad:

Thankfully, because of the Advanced Moisture Sensing system, the days of shrinkage are finally behind me.  My family's clothes are dried to our exact specifications, no matter how large or small the loads are.  What's more, the Auto Refresh cycle helps relax the wrinkles in your clothes with steam so that you can look fresh pressed in a matter of minutes.

As with all appliances, a little regular maintenance will ensure your machines perform as they were intended for years to come.  Now, I've always known that I should clean the lint tray on a clothes dryer after each and every cycle, but did you also know that your washing machine should be cleaned on a regular basis too?  Every now and again, I would do my best to remember to clean it with a little white vinegar, but to be honest, I think I forgot much more often than I remembered.

That's just another feature I love about the Maytag Bravos XL...there's an automatic washer cleaner cycle alert present on this machine.  Now, you don't have to think about when to perform regular maintenance on this washer/dryer duo, because the washer will let you know without fail.

Simply pop in an affresh Washer Cleaner or liquid chlorine bleach and set the machine to this cleaning setting.  That's it...all done!  I also take this regular reminder to clean my dryer's vent thoroughly too so that I can keep both machines running at top speed.

At the three-month mark, I can still report that I'm thrilled beyond belief with the quality, performance and dependability of the Maytag Bravos XL washer and dryer.  From making sure the stain gets out of your daughter's lucky socks before her soccer game, to leaving your son's favorite blanket clean and soft after his winter cold, Maytag washers and dryers continue to stand by your family, adding a sense of reliability to life's unpredictable moments.

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Disclosure:  I wrote this post participating in an Maytag Moms Dependable Laundry Ambassador program by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Maytag. I was provided with the Maytag washer and dryer set to facilitate my post.