Exhibit 99(b)

               MAYTAG ANNOUNCES IN-HOME INSPECTION;
                WILL VOLUNTARILY REPLACE COMPONENT

(Newton, Iowa.  Oct. 17, 1995)--Maytag Corporation announced
today it will voluntarily conduct an in-home product inspection
program to eliminate a potential problem with a small electrical
component on Maytag brand dishwashers manufactured between March
28, 1994, and January 31, 1995.  The in-home inspection program
will focus on 231,000 units out of 553,000 manufactured during
the time period.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has
been notified.
     The potential problem involves a small electrical component
in the base of the appliance, which, under unusual circumstances,
could malfunction and render the unit inoperable.  Approximately
140 failures have been reported.  The likelihood of a malfunction
occurring has been highest within the first eight months after
the dishwasher's installation.  
     In an extreme situation, a potential fire hazard could
result from the malfunction.  One fire involving minor property
damage has been verified.  
     Products manufactured after January 31, 1995, utilize a
modified design and material so that the electrical component no
longer presents a potential problem.
     "Our first concern is customer safety and reassuring
customers of the integrity of our products," explained Maytag
President Richard J. Haines.  "During routine monitoring by
Maytag Customer Service, we learned that a small number of units
had malfunctioned.  We evaluated the situation closely and
concluded that, in a very few cases, a component failure could
pose a safety hazard.  Consequently, we will inspect the product
and replace the component, all at no cost to our customers.  


     "In our best judgment, consumers can continue to use their
dishwashers prior to the inspection, but should do so only when
at home and when able to attend to the appliance.  However, if
there is concern on the consumer's part, we would recommend the
product not be used until it is inspected." 
     Owners of the products to be inspected will be identified
and notified by Maytag Customer Service through returned warranty
cards and through retail dealers' records.
     "We are confident we can notify directly the majority of our
customers through the warranty card information we have on hand,"
Haines said.  "And we will begin notifying customers this week." 
     The inspection program will focus on dishwashers in use
eight months or less and carrying serial numbers ending in one of
the following pairs of letters:  KF, KH, KK, KM, KQ, KS, KU, KW,
KY, KZ, or MB.  Customers who have owned their dishwashers for
eight months or less and whose dishwashers carry a serial number
ending in these numbers may contact Maytag Customer Service at 
1-800-462-9267.  NOTE:  If the serial number DOES NOT end in these
letters, the product is not involved in the inspection program. 
(Serial numbers on Maytag dishwashers are found by opening the
door and looking on the upper left portion of the tub, just below
the countertop.)  
     Haines concluded:  "Although the likelihood of a component
failure is small, we believe the inspection program being
undertaken by Maytag is another expression of our commitment to
dependability."

                             #  #  #

Media contact:  Tom Schwartz at Maytag 515-791-6342