How To Properly Clean and Maintain Your Washing Machine Filter

You have probably come across the lint filter in your tumble dryer, but did you know there is a filter in your washing machine to catch lint and other debris? It is likely to be overdue for a cleaning. This filter must be regularly cleaned to ensure that your washing machine runs carefully at high performance. If you abandon your washing machine filter, you can leave your laundry dirty and smelling bad, and over some time, it can cause damage to the washer itself. 

When it comes to cleaning your washing machine filter, this involves a series of tasks to ensure a clean, performing filter such as soaking, scrubbing, and replacing the filter while running a short empty cycle. Discover all of the information you need to clean the filter successfully, including instructions to follow. 

What You Will Need:

• Cleaning Cloth 

• Torch 

• Old Towel (for leaking water)

• Soft-bristle brush

• Laundry Detergent

• Tissue 

How To Clean a Washing Machine Filter (Removable)

A lot of washing machine filters can be removed manually for cleaning purposes. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to do this.

Wipe the Filter Down 

Ensure to remove the filter from its cover and gently wipe away any lint or debris using a damp cleaning cloth - this way you can aim to clean your filter avoiding any scratches or damage to the filter. 

Clean the Filter Cover

Using a damp cloth, wipe around the filter cover to remove lint and debris. You may want to consider using a torch to investigate where the build-up is coming from, ensuring to get rid of all dirt that may be clogging the filter. As an option, depending on the placement and angle of the filter, you may want to put down an old towel to collect any water that may leak when you open the filter cover.

Bathe the Filter

Fill up a basin that is big enough to soak the filter with hot water and add 1 tsp of laundry detergent. Allow the filter to soak for around 10 minutes before removing. 

Scrub The Filter

After removing the filter from the hot water, use the soft-bristle brush to scrub the filter to remove any loose build-up.

Return The Filter

Return the filter to its filter housing, making sure that it is securely in place. Unlike tumble dryers, washing machine filters do not need to be dry when inserting them, as they will get wet again.

Run a Short Wash Cycle

To finish off the cleaning process, run a short washing machine cycle to check that the filter is correctly in place. If you notice any errors or leaks, remove the filter and reinsert it into the housing. 

How To Clean a Washing Machine Filter (Fixed)

Some washing machines include a fixed filter, which means that you cannot remove the filter for cleaning. Here is how to clean a filter that is attached to the machine.

Wipe Down The Filter and Cover

Open the filer cover and wipe away lint and debris using tissue and paper towels. Depending on where the filter is located and the angle, you may want to consider putting down an old towel to catch any water that leaks when you open the filter cover, avoiding spillage on the floor. 

Scrub The Filter

Using the soft-bristle brush, ensure to scrub the filter to remove debris and lint build-up. This will help to improve the overall performance of your washing machine and avoid bad-smelling laundry. 

Run a Short Wash Cycle 

Once the filter is clean and inserted back into the housing, run a short cycle to flush out the freshly cleaned filter to help get rid of any last bits of lint and debris. 

When it comes down to locating your filter placement, and how to clean a filter on specific washing machines, it is important to refer back to your manufacturer's guide to ensure you are carrying out this task correctly and effectively, if you no longer have a paper copy, you can be sure to find a copy of the guide online.