You probably live to clean the lint trap in your dryer , but do you know your washing machine has a similar filter ? It does , and it ’s likely overdue for a cleaning .
Chances are you know yourdryer has a ventand lint trap that take clean regularly . But you might not realize there ’s awashing machinefilter to catch and snare lint and other debris . This filter needs to be clean to see that your washing machine runs safely and at peak performance . Neglecting to clean a washing machine filter canleave clothes dirty and smellyand , over time , can cause harm to the political machine itself .
Jacob Fox
Credit:Jacob Fox
pick a washing political machine filter requires turn up it ( this might be the trickiest part ! ) , hock and scrub it clean , replacing it , and running a short , empty wash cycle . This clause furnish all the information you need to clean the filter successfully , including how often it call for to be done .
Locating the Washing Machine Filter
To locate the filter onyour washing automobile , refer the possessor ’s manual . Typically , the filter will be located in one of these places :
If you no longer have a physical written matter of the owner ’s manual , it is in all likelihood available online and can be found by searching the make and mannequin of your washer and the phrasal idiom " user manual . " optic scholar might profit from search out instructional videos , which can be found on YouTube . Many wash car manufacturers provide instructional videos on their websites or social medium channels .
It ’s also worth observe that many new machines , include high - efficiency ( HE ) models , do n’t have a filter , rather relying on self - cleaning in the motorcar ’s pump mechanism . These type of filter generally do not postulate owner care .
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How Often to Clean a Washing Machine Filter
Manufacturer instructions regarding the frequency with which toclean a washing machinefilter vary . It ’s best to confab the substance abuser manual of arms for your particular motorcar , but cosmopolitan guideline range from cleaning a wash political machine filter once a calendar month to clean the filter double yearly .
Usage also plays a role in how often to strip a washing auto filter . Those in declamatory households whouse their washer more oftenthan small home or who regularly launder hard soiled item like outside work clothes or cloth diapers will desire to clean the filter more frequently .
sign that it ’s time to make clean the filter admit :
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Some washers have disposable lint trap ; when these character of filter become choked , it is sentence to replace them .
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Clean a Removable Washing Machine Filter
Most washing machine filter can be removed for cleaning . Here ’s how to do so .
Wipe Off the Filter
transfer the filter from its lodging and gently wipe away lint and rubble using adamp cleaning material .
Clean the Filter Housing
Use a cloth to pass over lint and dust from the filter housing . You might desire to use a torch to examine the filter living accommodations for buildup . to boot , reckon on the placement of the filter , you might want to put down a shallow basin or an old towel to catch any water that pours out when you open up the filter caparison .
Soak the Filter
Fill a bucket , sports stadium , or basin heavy enough to deluge the filter with hot water and a minuscule amount ( about 1 tsp . ) ofdish soaporliquid washables detergent . Allow the filter to inebriate in the solution for 10 minute .
Scrub the Filter
Using a soft - bristle brush , such as an erstwhile toothbrush or a dish brushing , scrub the filter to remove buildup .
Replace the Filter
Return it to the automatic washer ’s filter living accommodations , ensuring it is securely in space . Unlikedryer filters , washing political machine filters do n’t need to be dry when replacing them , as they will get wet again .
Run a Short Wash Cycle
track down the washer ’s forgetful round to suss out that the filter is securely in plaza . murder the filter and reinsert it into its lodging if you find any leak .
How to Clean a Fixed Washing Machine Filter
Some laundry machine filters are secured in billet , meaning you may not remove them for cleaning . Here ’s how to houseclean a filter that is deposit in place .
Wipe the Filter and Housing
get to the filter housing and pass over away lint and debris using paper towel . Depending on the placement of the filter , you might want to put down a shallow basin or an old towel to bewitch anywater that pelt outwhen you start the filter trapping .
Using a diffuse - bristle brush , such as an old toothbrush or dish skirmish , call off the filter to withdraw lint and dust that has build up on the washing political machine filter .
hunt down the automatic washer ’s little rhythm to redden out the freshly cleaned filter .
Credit:Jacob Fox
How to Clean a Pump Washing Machine Filter
Many new HEwashing machinesdon’t have a filter or lint trap , instead using a self - cleaning heart to remove lint and other debris during the washing and cycle . While these pumps are technically self - cleaning , running a light , empty wash cycle to flush lint and buildup from the filter once every 1 - 3 months can help to keep the machine running properly .
Credit:Jacob Fox
Credit:Jacob Fox
Credit:Jacob Fox
Credit:Jacob Fox
