EXHIBIT 99.1

                MAYTAG CORPORATION CHALLENGES LEGISLATORS' LETTER

NEWTON, Iowa, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Maytag Corporation (NYSE: MYG)
said today that it was disappointed to learn that U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D -
Iowa) and U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell (D - Iowa) had sent a letter to the Justice
Department expressing concern about the competitive effects of Whirlpool
Corporation's (NYSE: WHR) proposed merger with Maytag.

Maytag said that the letter ignores fundamental competitive realities of the
appliance industry. The four largest U.S. retailers now control over 65 percent
of U.S. appliance sales, and, as a result, exert tremendous pressure on
appliance suppliers to be competitive on price and features. Moreover, foreign
competitors like LG, Samsung, Haier and Bosch-Siemens, with strong consumer
brands, are expanding rapidly at these and other retail outlets.

Maytag added that the transaction will result in significant efficiencies that
will make the combined firm better able to compete with growing foreign
competition, as well as with its traditional rivals -- GE, Frigidaire and Sears'
Kenmore brand of products. Maytag also noted that the market shares contained in
the letter are significantly overstated.

Through their letter, it is obvious that Sen. Harkin and Rep. Boswell are
concerned about job loss in Iowa. However, it is important to note that whether
or not a transaction occurs, the tough environment in which appliance industry
manufacturers operate will continue to impact employment levels at facilities
that are not cost competitive.

About Maytag Corporation

Maytag Corporation is a $4.8 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 may include
statements regarding benefits of the proposed transactions, expected cost
savings and anticipated future financial operating performance and results,
including estimates of growth. These statements are based on the current
expectations of management of Maytag. There are a number of risks and
uncertainties 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) conditions to the closing of the
transaction may not



be satisfied or the merger agreement may be terminated prior to closing; (2)
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; (3) Maytag may be
unable to achieve cost-cutting goals or it may take longer than expected to
achieve those goals; (4) the transaction may involve unexpected costs or
unexpected liabilities; (5) the credit ratings of Maytag or its subsidiaries may
be different from what the parties expect; (6) the businesses of Maytag may
suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the transaction; (7) the industry
may be subject to future regulatory or legislative actions that could adversely
affect Maytag; and (8) 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.

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