How To Clean A Washing Machine Filter – 6 Steps

Last updated: October 16th, 2022

If you have been using a washing machine for some time now, there are going to be times when your clothes may come out stinky. This happens because it is time for you to clean your washing machine filter.

Yes, you can clear the filter yourself at home without calling customer service support. Once your clean your washing machine filter, your washing machine will perform at its best, and its lifespan will elongate. In this article, we will illustrate how to clean a washing machine filter in six simple steps.

1. Turning off the Washing Machine

While cleaning the washing machine filter, it is important that you turn off the washing machine. Make sure that you have disabled the washing machine by turning off all the buttons. You can also hit on the “Off” button.

Once you are done, you will have to switch the power off. Your machine should be in a neutral position and must be unplugged from the washer.

Even after unplugging the washer, you must keep the plug in a safe place to prevent it from getting wet. The best way to prevent it is by putting old towels on the front of the washer to absorb any build-up of water.

2. Locating the Filter

After the unplugging of the machine is done, you will have to look out for the filter. The filter will be located according to the type of washing machine. If you are unable to find the filter, read the manual carefully. The filter can be anywhere at the drainage hose end or under the cover of the center agitator. Some models may also have a filter behind a hatch on the front. You may find a filter even in the drum’s top rim.

Front loading washing machines feature a trap door on the machine’s bottom right corner. This trap door is where you will find the filter. Do note that some washing machine models come with a self-cleaning filter. Even self-cleaning filters need cleaning every 3 to 4 months.

When it comes to top-loading washing machines, most of them don’t have a removable filter. You will find the one that can come with a self-cleaning filter. They are located under the agitator which is at the center of the machine. However, there are models where the filter is located at the bottom side of the right-hand corner. When it is at the bottom of the machine’s right-hand corner, you will find a cover that can come in a circular or rectangular design.

3. Removing the Filter Cover

If you have discovered where your filter is, it is now time to remove the filter cover. You can easily remove the filter cover by pulling it away. However, there are child-proof covers that cannot be removed without using a tool. What you can do is use a thin object to remove the cover. By utilizing a screwdriver, you can make it loose and turn it counterclockwise for removing it.

If your washing machine comes with an agitator, you need to remove the agitator. By taking the agitator’s cap off, you will have to put your hand in the shaft and look for a wing nut screw. Next, you need to move the screw in counter-clockwise for removing it. This will enable you to take out the agitator. After the agitator is terminated, you will have to remove the filter cover.

4: Taking out the Filter

Now we move on to the next task which is taking out the filter. When you remove the filter cover, you will be able to pull out the filter conveniently. If in any case, it is stuck, you will have to move it around so that it will get rid of any detergent or lint which is making it stick.

Some washing machine models have a draining hose on the filter’s front. The drain hose can block the filter for which you will have to remove it and take out the filter. After you remove the filter, you will see the lint and debris layer. You will have to wipe it gently with a clean cloth.

5. Cleaning the Filter

We now move on to the cleaning part of the washing machine filter. You will have to use a paper towel. This helps to get rid of any lint or residue which can be due to excess detergent and lint build-up. If the lint is thick, you can make use of a small brush like an old toothbrush. Continue cleaning and make sure that there is no gunk.

After you are done cleaning, you will have to remove the screen. Place the screen in hot water for up to 10 minutes. Soak the lint screen by keeping it in a bowl with hot water. Soaking will allow you to remove any detergent, fabric softener, or lingering lint. However, if you are unable to remove the screen, you can place the filter on hot running water for removing the residue.

Once the cleaning is done, you will have to inspect the washing machine’s inside if there is any lint. This is very important to confirm if there is no loose lint on the inside. You can use a paper towel or a wet sponge to remove the debris. If your washing machine has a filter in the bottom right-hand corner, you will have to remove lint from the drainage hose. Any trapped residue on the drainage hose can impact the efficiency of the washing machine and there will be poor drainage.

6: Putting the Filter Back

After you are done cleaning the filter, you will have to put it back. Before returning it to the machine, you need to pat it dry. You must put the filter carefully so that it stays securely in place. Put back the drainage hose if you have removed it to secure the cover. If your filter was located in an agitator, you will have to place the agitator back too. Make sure that you have secured the wing nut as well as the cap of the agitator carefully.

Confirm if the filter is in the right place and is secured perfectly. The final step will be to run the empty washer. Running an empty washer makes sure there are no leaks. If you see there is leakage, the filter is not placed correctly. You will also have to confirm if the drainage hose is secured accurately as it could lead to drainage. Fix anything that is leading to drainage and use the washing machine as usual.

Conclusion –

To sum it all up, you should refer to your manual to locate the washing machine filter. Thereafter, you have to remove the filter cover and then remove the filter so that you can clean it. It is time to clean the filter of the dirt and soil and everything else that have accumulated. Once you are satisfied with cleaning the filter, you need to put it back perfectly.

WRITTEN BY Aman Sharma

Aman Sharma is a content writer who specializes in creating compelling, informative content. His writing style is engaging and easy to read, making it perfect for online readers. Aman is also an expert in social media marketing and knows how to use social media to promote your content.

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