How to Clean a Washing Machine Filter
Cleaning a washing machine filter involves locating the small access panel near the bottom front of the machine, placing a shallow towel or tray underneath to catch residual water, unscrewing the filter cap, and rinsing the trapped lint, coins, hair, and debris out under running water before reinserting it. Most machines need this done every one to three months, depending on how often the machine runs and what kind of loads it handles.
Why the Filter Gets Dirty in the First Place
The filter sits at the lowest point of the drum system and exists specifically to catch anything that should not travel further into the pump or drain hose. Lint from towels and clothing, pet hair, loose change, buttons, small socks, and mineral buildup from hard water all collect there over time. When the filter fills up, water drains more slowly, the machine may display an error code, and in some cases the pump can strain or clog entirely. Manufacturer manuals across most front load and high efficiency top load models list filter maintenance as a routine task, not an optional one, because a blocked filter is one of the more common reasons owners report drainage complaints in aggregated reviews.
How to Clean the Filter, Step by Step
- Turn off and unplug the machine. This is a basic safety step recommended in nearly every manufacturer manual before any filter access.
- Locate the filter door. On most machines it is a small hinged or snap-open panel along the bottom front edge, sometimes labeled with a filter icon.
- Prepare for water runoff. Place towels on the floor and have a shallow container ready, since several cups of residual water typically drain out when the cap is loosened.
- Slowly unscrew the filter cap. Turn it counterclockwise in small increments rather than all at once, allowing trapped water to escape gradually instead of flooding the floor.
- Remove the filter and rinse it. Pull it fully out and rinse under warm running water, using an old toothbrush to clear lint and mineral deposits from the mesh or grooves.
- Check the housing cavity. Use a flashlight to look inside the empty filter compartment for coins, buttons, or hair wrapped around the impeller, and remove anything visible by hand.
- Reinsert and seal the filter. Screw it back in until it sits flush and the seal looks even, then close the access panel.
- Run a short empty cycle. A quick rinse cycle with no laundry confirms the seal holds and checks for leaks around the panel.
How Often This Should Be Done
Owner manuals and aggregated user reports generally point to a range of every 30 to 90 days for households doing several loads a week, with more frequent cleaning suggested for homes with pets, young children, or hard water. A musty smell, standing water at the end of a cycle, or a drain error code are all signs the filter needs attention sooner than the usual schedule. Machines that are several years old and consistently draining poorly despite regular filter cleaning may be nearing the end of their useful life, in which case comparing options through a guide like best washing machines can help identify a more reliable replacement rather than continuing to patch an aging unit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most frequent mistake is opening the filter cap quickly without preparing for water spillage, which leads to a wet floor and sometimes water reaching nearby outlets. Another is forcing the cap when it feels stuck rather than checking whether debris is jamming the threads, since forcing it can crack the plastic housing. Some owners also skip checking the impeller cavity behind the filter, missing small objects that continue to cause noise or drainage issues even after the filter itself is clean. Finally, letting the filter go unchecked for six months or longer, especially in machines used daily, is consistently cited in manufacturer troubleshooting guides as a leading cause of pump failure and unpleasant odors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the filter located on most washing machines?
On most front load and many high efficiency top load machines, the filter sits behind a small access panel near the bottom front corner. Some top load agitator models place the filter inside the drum instead, so checking the manual for the exact model is worthwhile.
Is it normal for water to spill out when opening the filter?
Yes. A small amount of residual water is normally trapped in the filter housing and will drain out once the cap is loosened, which is why placing towels underneath beforehand is recommended.
What happens if the filter is never cleaned?
According to manufacturer troubleshooting documentation, a neglected filter can lead to slow draining, error codes, unpleasant odors, and in more severe cases, added strain on the drain pump that shortens its lifespan.
Can a dirty filter cause a washing machine to smell bad?
Yes. Trapped lint, hair, and standing water in the filter housing create an environment where mold and mildew can develop, and this is one of the more commonly reported causes of persistent odor in aggregated owner feedback.