How To Clean Washing Machine Filter

Coin trap filters like this can exist cleaned of any droppings. | Photo by Bister Peabody

About people know to clean the dryer lint filter between loads. Just did yous know that some washing machine filters need to exist cleaned besides?

If you have an older washer, this advice might simply be for you lot.

"Top loaders tend to accept filters on the valves," said Bister Peabody, Service Managing director at Dunnett Inc. The valve filters sift the water going in and out of the pump and hoses.

On a newer top loading model, the valves and filters notwithstanding look somewhat the same. | Photo by Bister Peabody

If y'all do happen to have a removable filter, consult your owner'south manual on how to properly remove information technology.

You can accept a pair of needle nose pliers and gently remove the filter cap from the valve. | Photograph by Amber Peabody

"On older washers, the screens aren't removable," said Peabody. "Y'all tin can have a Q-tip, or a wire brush, and scrub at it through the port. If the screen is removable, you can use some needle olfactory organ pliers to pull the little tab on the side, and popular the screen right out. Rinse it under the sink, and pop information technology dorsum in."

What does the washing machine filter exercise?

Like other filters, the washing machine filter siphons out the things you don't desire to collect in your washer — like dirt and lint.

"The filter collects detergent, bits of dirt and soil from your apparel," said Allan Elkin, owner of General Appliance Service in Brewer, Maine. "Generally hot water and a scrub castor will take intendance of it. It can look disagreeable, but generally everything is h2o soluble. The exception would be difficult water issues — some CLR would be good for that."

If your machine doesn't take a filter though, there's even so hope.

"If your machine doesn't have a filter, yous can alter the washing temperature or detergent to forestall lint on your clothes," said Elkin.

How to clean a washing auto filter

Offset, yous demand to locate the filter.

"Front loaders tin have a trap door on the front of the auto, commonly bottom right," said Peabody.

With the compartment open, the coin trap can be pulled out. | Photo by Bister Peabody

Have a towel or bowl gear up in case some water comes out before y'all remove trap door. This is totally normal if it does. It's a trap, with tiny holes that catch bigger things, like baby socks or small underwear, said Peabody. If too much gets in there, the water won't drain as well. "It stinks after a while," said Peabody.

Don't forget to clean the compartment of any leftover debris, then supercede the cleaned trap inside its compartment.

"If your machine doesn't take a drawer on the forepart, you'd have to lean the washer against the wall and do the cleaning process from underneath," said Peabody.

What else should be cleaned in a washing machine?

To go on your washing machine in tip elevation shape, at that place are other places in the washer that should be cleaned. Cleaning the drum and the within of the washing machine helps prevent bacteria, bad smells, mold and mildew.

"How often you clean your washer depends on how often y'all do laundry, and how much sediment is in your water," said Peabody.

Most machines have a tub clean bicycle. Add together some washer cleaner, Affresh works well, and permit it run, Peabody said. The cycle and the cleaner take care of soap build upwardly and cleans upwards the hoses, which extends the life of the washer.

"You lot can apply vinegar, but it'south not as effective," said Peabody.

Leave the washer door open up after apply to keep it fresher for longer; information technology gives the door seal a risk to dry out and prevents any bacteria from breeding within the drum.

The detergent drawer is some other part of the washing machine that doesn't get cleaned as often as it should. Consult your owner's manual on how to remove the drawer. If it has a plastic insert, remove it and clean it separately.

"Nigh detergent drawers are removable, and should be washed," said Peabody. "They can go pretty nasty."

While you lot're cleaning the detergent drawer, don't forget to clean the compartment. Take a scrub brush and get the residue off, then put the cleaned drawer dorsum in.

What if I accept a newer washing machine?

Every washing motorcar model is built differently, and newer models tend to have coin traps instead of actual filters. A quick read of your possessor's transmission volition let you lot know how your washer works, and what kind of filter organisation information technology has.

"Some height loaders accept no filters," said Allan Elkin, owner of Full general Appliance Service in Brewer, Maine. "Front loaders generally take a filter in the drain pump, which is external to the machine. You lot'd have to take it all apart to become to the filter. You don't see washing motorcar filters very oft now."

Maintaining a make clean washer extends its life, and keeps it working at top capacity. If you lot use it often, you should make clean it more than oftentimes, but usually cleaning a washing machine once every 3 to 4 months is sufficient.