The washing machine has a filter that is designed to prevent foreign objects from getting into the pump. This can be prevented by removing the filter located on the water pump or next to it.
Importance of Cleaning Washing Machine Filters
Regularly cleaning washing machine filters is crucial for maintaining the efficiency and longevity of your appliance. A clogged or dirty filter can lead to poor drainage, which may result in foul odors, mold growth, and even damage to the machine’s components. Moreover, a clean filter ensures that your clothes are thoroughly cleaned during each cycle by preventing debris from recirculating in the wash water. Neglecting to clean the filter can also increase energy consumption and water usage, as the machine has to work harder to compensate for reduced efficiency. Therefore, incorporating filter cleaning into your household routine not only improves the performance of your washing machine but also contributes to cost savings and environmental sustainability.
Method 1:
You can clean this filter without having to remove it. All you need is ammonia, bleach, and detergent. This mix will help you take out all of the dirt stuck inside there without damaging your appliance.
- Soak the filter in a combination of one part bleach, three parts ammonia, and hot water for thirty minutes, then wipe with soap and rinse well before using it again.
- If there are still touches of grime left on your washing machine’s filter after rinsing thoroughly, soak them again in a mixture of ammonia and water for a few hours more.
Note:
It is good to go ahead and clean your washing machine filter after every six months or so or when you notice it’s not doing its job correctly. If the filter is clogged up entirely, it can affect your washing machine’s performance. You need to take apart the filter after every use to clean out all of the dirt that has accumulated there during your laundry process.
Method 2:
- Sometimes the filter is on the bottom of the washer, and sometimes it’s inside of door panel. Look for filter-
- Soap buildup can eventually clog up your washing machine’s drain pump, usually found under a small cap on the end of the suction tube that sucks the water from the drum. It may not be visible, so check with your manual or appliance’s website for further instructions.
STEP 1: Find the filter and remove it.
- There are different filters in washing machines, but they all serve the same purpose: to catch bits of fabric or other debris that can block water flow or damage internal mechanisms. Once they become clogged, soapy water backs up into the tub instead of draining out during rinsing cycles, causing an overflow problem if not detected quickly enough.
- Laundry soaps sold in the last few years have been designed to produce fewer suds to prevent this from happening. But even these new formulations might still leave a thin film on clothes post-wash, making them more likely to get trapped in the drain pump.
- Some models have their lint trap on top of the washer behind the door panel because there is little space between tub and ground. You can barely see it because it is up out of the way when you open the door panel, but I would recommend taking off panels so you can get better access to your washer. Because there is no room for the filter, it just has a mesh basket built into the case top. Sometimes the basket gets full of soap scum and needs to be taken out and washed in the sink with dishwashing liquid or just vacuumed out with an upholstery attachment on the shop vac.
- To check if your model still has a drain pump under the cap, take off the round cover panel around the drainage hose at the washer’s base by removing the Phillips screw inside the panel perimeter ring. Check to see how many screws hold this cover, so you can put them all back because some models have different configurations.
STEP 2: Cleaning the washer’s filter
Cleaning the washer’s filter can be done by washing it in the sink with dishwashing liquid or vacuum out with an upholstery attachment on the shop vac. Some say to use vinegar without rinsing well but soak longer if needed, so it will lift gunk off the mesh and pull it through holes. Do not rinse with water because the mesh screen will clog up again quickly. When using a shop vac, you may need to put the end of the hose inside a five gal bucket first or set up somewhere where you can “suck” into a clean container right away, rather than having dirty water drip back down the hosepipe. This is the way how you can clean the filter of a washing machine.
Note:
If you don’t perform this simple cleaning task, your washer’s pump will eventually fail or waste away from debris buildup. Before that happens, check the filter located inside the inlet where the drain hose connects to the machine and remove any built-up grime in there. If your washing machine has an internal filter (usually a piece of mesh sitting in a plastic basket), clean it too while everything is exposed.
What occurs if a washing machine’s filter is not cleaned?
If a blocked pressure washer filter isn’t cleaned frequently, it will also grow mould and mildew. If you’re not cautious, spores will find their way into your clothing as during wash & trigger allergic responses. Without routine upkeep, the machine’s lifespan will be shortened.
FAQs
- What are the advantages of cleaning my washer’s filter?
A clean filter helps your washer extract water from clothes and prevents the buildup of mold and mildew. These benefits extend to all types of residential washers, including top-loaders, front loaders, and efficiency units.
- When should I clean the washing machine filter?
A. There are no fixed rules on when you need to clean or how often you need to do this. The washing machine filter should be cleaned if you detect a persistent bad smell or if detergent residues start to appear in your clothes.
- How should I clean the washing machine filter?
A. With a brush or an old toothbrush, remove any stubborn residues. Then wipe with a cloth or let it dry.
- How often should I clean the washing machine filter?
A. There are no fixed rules on how often you need to clean. If you detect a persistent lousy smell or if detergent residues start to appear in your clothes, then the washing machine filter should be cleaned more often.
- Can I clean the washing machine filter by hand?
A. It is possible to clean the washing machine filter by hand. However, this should only be done when the drain pump is removed.
