Washing Machine Filter Cleaning: The Job Nobody Wants to Do
Nobody looks forward to washing machine filter cleaning. I get it. But skip it long enough and you end up with a washer that smells worse than what you put into it, and clothes that come out dirtier than they went in.
Why the Filter Backs Up in the First Place
A clogged filter is behind most of the complaints we get called out for. Lint, hair, the odd coin, detergent sludge. It builds up until the washer’s working overtime on every cycle. Ignore it too long and you’re looking at a repair bill instead of a few minutes with a toothbrush.
Signs It’s Time for Washing Machine Filter Cleaning
Clothes come out smelling off, even right after a wash. Sometimes water just sits at the bottom of the drum instead of draining. You might hear grinding or rattling mid-cycle, usually a coin or button that got stuck. And every once in a while, an error code you’ve never seen before flashes at you.
Where the Filter Actually Is (By Brand)
Half the frustration is just finding the thing.
Samsung front-loaders. Bottom front corner, behind a small panel that pops open with a coin. Usually on the left side.
LG front-loaders. Same idea. Bottom front, behind a hinged cover. There’s a small drain hose tucked in there before the filter itself. Pull that first and drain the water into a shallow tray before you unscrew anything.
Whirlpool and Maytag top-loaders. Depends on the model. Older ones have a filter under the agitator (twist it off). Newer high-efficiency top-loaders are self-cleaning and don’t have a user-accessible filter at all.
GE top-loaders. Same story as Whirlpool. Under the agitator if it has one. If not, check the manual before you go tearing anything apart.
Front-loaders in general. No panel visible? Check the drain hose at the back. Some models tuck the filter inline instead of on the front. Rare, but it happens.
How Washing Machine Filter Cleaning Works, Step by Step
- Find it. Front-loaders are usually low on the front, top-loaders are usually under the agitator or a back panel. Grab a towel first. Water’s coming out no matter how careful you are.
- Pop it out and take a look. Expect lint, hair, coins, and stuff you can’t identify. That’s normal.
- Rinse and scrub. An old toothbrush works fine. If it’s really caked on, soak it in warm soapy water first.
- Clean the housing too. Wipe out the compartment before the filter goes back in. Sludge left behind just clogs it again.
- Reinstall it properly. A loose filter means a flood mid-spin cycle.
If it’s still not draining right after this, our washing machine drain troubleshooting guide covers what to check next.
When the Filter Won’t Come Out
Sometimes it just won’t budge. Years of gunk basically weld it into the housing.
Don’t force it with pliers. You’ll crack the plastic and turn a five minute job into a service call. Try soaking the visible part with warm water and a spray of dish soap first. Let it sit for ten minutes. Then try turning it again with just your hand.
Still stuck? That’s when we usually get called. Cracked filter housings are a repair, not a cleaning.
The Smell Problem
This is really a filter problem in disguise, most of the time. Mildew builds up in the trapped water around the filter, and it stinks up every load.
Cleaning the filter helps a lot. But you also need to leave the door open between washes so the drum can dry. Wipe out the rubber door boot on front-loaders every week or two. That’s where a lot of the smell actually lives. Run a hot cycle with washing machine cleaner (or a cup of vinegar) once a month to keep it from coming back.
Washing Machine Filter Cleaning Schedule
Once a month is the general rule. More often if you’re washing pet blankets or muddy sports gear regularly. Skip overloaded loads, since a packed drum pushes extra lint straight into the filter. High-efficiency detergent helps too, less residue means a cleaner filter for longer. Whirlpool’s own maintenance guide makes the same point.
When It’s Not the Filter Anymore
Sometimes the filter’s clean and the problem’s still there. If the washer’s still acting up, makes noise it shouldn’t, or throws error codes after you’ve already cleaned it out, that’s a different job. Our
