FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:  John Daggett
Maytag Corporate Communications
(641) 787-7711
john.daggett@maytag.com



                         MAYTAG PROVIDES EARNINGS UPDATE
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NEWTON, Iowa -- Sept. 19, 2005 - Maytag Corporation (NYSE:MYG) said today that
its results for the third quarter and full-year 2005 will be significantly lower
than the guidance previously provided by the company due to higher costs
negatively impacting performance. The burden of its high manufacturing overhead,
increasing distribution and fuel expenses, and rising raw material costs are the
primary drivers of these cost increases.
     Ralph F. Hake, Maytag's chairman and CEO said, "Although we are
disappointed in these cost increases, our top-line sales projections are strong
compared to last year."
     Hake noted that despite the uncertainty in recent months surrounding the
pending sale of Maytag, the company achieved high single-digit sales growth in
its major appliances product lines through the first two months of the third
quarter. He also pointed out that excess manufacturing capacity is still one of
Maytag's biggest issues impacting earnings.
     "Our fixed cost structure remains a barrier to acceptable financial
performance, and we intend to address this issue," Hake said. "The actions we
take might require restructuring charges, including asset write-offs,
accelerated depreciation and certain cash costs. These actions will need to be
undertaken irrespective of the pending merger with Whirlpool."
     The company stated that in addition to cost increases, unfavorable product
pricing/mix, primarily in floor care, continues to adversely impact results. The
company also anticipates recording significant merger and acquisition expenses
related to the pending acquisition in the third and fourth quarters of this
year.


     As a result, Maytag projects that its full year 2005 results will be
significantly lower than the guidance previously provided by the company, and
Maytag expects to report a loss before any restructuring charges in the third
quarter. Due to the current business performance and uncertainty associated with
the manufacturing restructuring, Maytag will no longer provide any earnings
guidance.
     In addition, given the expectation that the merger with Whirlpool may not
close prior to the first quarter of 2006, the company has decided to move
forward to complete the new asset-based $600 million five-year, senior secured
revolving credit facility contemplated by the commitment letter previously
announced by the company in June 2005 and which expires on December 30, 2005.
The new facility will replace the current $300 million credit facility and is
expected to be completed early in the fourth quarter of 2005. The new credit
facility is expected to be led by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Citigroup
Global Markets, Inc. and secured by accounts receivable and inventory of certain
Maytag subsidiaries.
    Maytag expects to announce its third quarter 2005 sales and earnings
results on Friday, October 21, 2005.
     Maytag Corporation is a $4.7 billion home and commercial appliance company
focused in North America and in targeted international markets. The
corporation's primary brands are Maytag(R), Hoover(R), Jenn-Air(R), Amana(R),
Dixie-Narco(R) and Jade(R).


                                      # # #

MAYTAG ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This document includes statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to
historical facts. Such statements are "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include
statements regarding anticipated future financial operating performance and
results, expectation as to the closing of the transaction with Whirlpool and
expectation as to the completion of the new credit facility. These statements
are based on the current expectations of management of Maytag. There are a
number of risks and uncertainties

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that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements included in this document. For example, with respect to the
transaction with Whirlpool (1) Maytag may be unable to obtain shareholder
approval required for the transaction; (2) conditions to the closing of the
transaction may not be satisfied or the merger agreement may be terminated prior
to closing; (3) Maytag may be unable to obtain the regulatory approvals required
to close the transaction, or required regulatory approvals may delay the
transaction or result in the imposition of conditions that could have a material
adverse effect on Maytag or cause the parties to abandon the transaction; (4)
Maytag may be unable to achieve cost-cutting goals or it may take longer than
expected to achieve those goals; (5) the transaction may involve unexpected
costs or unexpected liabilities; (6) the credit ratings of Maytag or its
subsidiaries may be different from what the parties expect; (7) the businesses
of Maytag may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the transaction; (8)
the industry may be subject to future regulatory or legislative actions that
could adversely affect Maytag; and (9) Maytag may be adversely affected by other
economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Additional factors that may
affect the future results of Maytag are set forth in its filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which are available at
http://www.maytagcorp.com . Maytag undertakes no obligation to publicly update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE PROPOSED MERGER WITH WHIRLPOOL AND WHERE
TO FIND IT
Whirlpool and Maytag will file a prospectus/proxy statement with the SEC in
connection with the proposed transaction. Investors are urged to read any such
prospectus/proxy statement, when available, which will contain important
information. The prospectus/proxy statement will be, and other documents filed
by Whirlpool and Maytag with the SEC are, available free of charge at the SEC's
website ( http://www.sec.gov ) or from Whirlpool by directing a request to
Whirlpool Corporation, 2000 North M-63, Mail Drop 2800, Benton Harbor, MI
49022-2692, Attention: Larry Venturelli, Vice President, Investor Relations, or
from Maytag Corporation's Web site at http://www.maytagcorp.com . Neither this
communication nor the prospectus/proxy statement, when available, will
constitute an offer to issue Whirlpool common stock in any jurisdiction outside
the United States where such offer or issuance would be prohibited -- such an
offer or issuance will only be made in accordance with the applicable laws of
such jurisdiction.

Whirlpool, Maytag and their respective directors, executive officers, and other
employees may be deemed to be participating in the solicitation of proxies from
Maytag stockholders in connection with the approval of the proposed transaction.
Information about Whirlpool's directors and executive officers is available in
Whirlpool's proxy statement, dated March 18, 2005, for its 2005 annual meeting
of stockholders. Information about Maytag's directors and executive officers is
available in Maytag's proxy statement, dated April 4, 2005, for its 2005 annual
meeting of stockholders. Additional information about the interests of potential
participants will be included in the prospectus/proxy statement Whirlpool and
Maytag will file with the SEC.

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