How to Clean a Washing Machine Filter

You probably know that your dryer has a lint filter that needs to be cleaned regularly. But you may not know that the washing machine also has a filter that catches and traps lint and other debris. This filter needs to be cleaned to ensure your washing machine runs safely and at peak performance. Failing to clean a washing machine filter can leave clothes dirty and smelly and, over time, damage the machine itself.

To clean a washing machine filter, you must first locate the filter (this might be the hardest part!), soak and/or scrub it clean, replace it, and run a short, empty wash cycle. This article provides all the information you need to successfully clean the filter, including cleaning frequency.

Locate the filter

To find your washing machine’s filter, consult the user manual. Usually the filter is in one of these places:

• In the center agitator
• In the upper lip of the drum
• Behind a trapdoor at the front of the machine
• Near the water pump or at the end of the drain hose

If you no longer have a physical copy of the owner’s manual, it is likely available online and can be found by searching for your washing machine make and model and the term ‘instruction manual’. Visual learners could benefit from searching for instructional videos that can be found on YouTube. Many washing machine manufacturers offer instruction videos on their own websites or on their social media channels.

It’s also worth noting that many newer machines, including High Efficiency (HE) models, do not have a filter, instead relying on a self-cleaning filter located in the machine’s pump mechanism. These types of filters generally do not require owner maintenance.

How often should you clean a washing machine filter

Manufacturer instructions vary as to how often a washing machine filter needs to be cleaned. It’s best to consult the owner’s manual for your particular machine, but general guidelines range from cleaning a washing machine filter once a month to cleaning the filter twice a year.

Usage also plays a role in the frequency of cleaning a washing machine filter. Anyone who uses their washing machine more frequently in large households than in smaller households, or who regularly washes heavily soiled laundry such as outdoor workwear or cloth diapers, should clean the filter more frequently.

Signs that it is time to clean the filter are:

• Lint or dirt buildup, including excess detergent, on clothes after washing
• Improper draining leaving clothes soaking wet at the end of the wash cycle
• A moldy smell that indicates stagnant water in the mechanisms of the washing machine

Some washing machines have disposable lint collectors; When this type of filter gets clogged, it’s time to replace it.

How to clean a removable washing machine filter

Most washing machine filters can be removed for cleaning. That’s how it’s done.

what you will need

• cleaning cloth
• dish soap or liquid detergent
• Soft bristle brush
• Flashlight (optional)
• Shallow basin or old towel (optional)

Step 1: Wipe down the filter and housing

Remove the filter from its housing and gently wipe away lint and dirt with a damp cleaning cloth. Then use the cloth to wipe lint and dirt from the filter housing. Use a flashlight to inspect the filter housing for debris. Depending on where the filter is placed, you may also want to set a shallow basin or an old towel down to catch any water that spills out when you open the filter housing.

Step 2: Soak the filter

Fill a bucket, bowl, or basin large enough to submerge the filter with hot water and a small amount (about 1 teaspoon) of dish soap or liquid laundry detergent. Soak the filter in the solution for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Scrub the filter

Scrub the filter with a soft bristle brush such as B. an old toothbrush or a dish brush to remove deposits.

Step 4: Replace the filter

Put it back into the washing machine filter housing and make sure it is secure. Unlike dryer filters, washing machine filters do not need to be dry when placed in the machine as they will get wet again.

Step 5: Do a quick wash

Run the washing machine on the quick cycle to check if the filter is tight. If you find any leaks, remove the filter and put it back in its housing.

How to clean a fixed washing machine filter

Some washing machine filters are fixed so you cannot remove them to clean them. How to clean a permanently installed filter.

what you will need

• paper towels
• Soft bristle brush
• Shallow basin or old towel (optional)

Step 1: Wipe down the filter and housing

Open the filter housing and wipe off lint and dirt with paper towels. Depending on the placement of the filter, you can place a shallow basin or an old towel to catch any water that spills out when you open the filter housing.

Step 2: Scrub the filter

Scrub the filter with a soft bristle brush such as B. an old toothbrush or dish brush to remove lint and debris that has collected on the filter.

Step 3: Do a quick wash

Run the washing machine on the quick cycle to rinse out the freshly cleaned filter.

How to clean a pump filter

Many newer HE washers do not have lint collectors, instead using a self-cleaning pump to remove lint and other debris during the wash and cycle. While these pumps are technically self-cleaning, a short, empty wash cycle to flush lint and debris from the filter once every 1-3 months can help keep the machine running properly.