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 drainage complaints we get called out for. Lint, hair, the odd coin, detergent sludge. It builds up quietly 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 to Clean It

Clothes come out smelling off, even right after a wash. Sometimes water just sits at the bottom of the drum instead of draining all the way. 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 for no obvious reason.

Where the Filter Actually Is

Not every washer hides its filter in the same spot, and knowing your type first saves you ten minutes of poking around for nothing.

If you’ve got a top-loader, check inside the center agitator first. Pop the cap off and look for a small cylinder with pinholes, that’s usually where lint collects. No agitator, or nothing there? Run your fingers along the top rim of the drum for a round screen you can pull straight out.

Front-loaders are almost always down low on the front of the machine, behind a small hinged panel. Some models route it to the end of the drain hose instead, just a mesh screen you can pull off.

Plenty of newer high-efficiency machines don’t have a traditional filter at all. They use a self-cleaning pump filter instead, and it needs a lot less babysitting. Usually the fix there is just running an empty hot cycle once a month instead of digging out a physical filter.

How Washing Machine Filter Cleaning Works, Step by Step

1.Find it. Use the section above for your washer type. Grab a towel first either way. Water’s coming out no matter how careful you are.

2. Pop it out and take a look. Expect lint, hair, coins, and stuff you can’t identify. That’s normal.

3. Rinse and scrub. An old toothbrush works fine. If it’s really caked on, soak it in warm soapy water first.

4.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 drainage is still an issue after this, our washing machine drain troubleshooting guide covers what to check next.

Washing Machine Filter Cleaning Schedule

Once a month is the general rule for washing machine filter cleaning. More often if you’re washing pet blankets or muddy sports gear regularly. Skip the overloaded loads, too, since a packed drum pushes extra lint straight into the filter and clogs it faster than normal use ever would. High-efficiency detergent helps, less residue means a cleaner filter for longer. Whirlpool’s own maintenance guidance confirms as much.

When It’s Not the Filter Anymore

Sometimes the filter’s clean and the problem’s still there. If the washer won’t drain, makes noise it shouldn’t, or throws error codes after you’ve already cleaned it out, that’s a different job. Our washing machine repair team in Thornhill handles that side of things.

A Few Quick Questions

How often should I actually do this? Once a month for most households. Every two weeks if you’re regularly washing muddy gear or pet bedding.

What happens if I just never clean it? Slower drainage first, then smell, then a pump working harder than it should.

My washer doesn’t seem to have a filter. Is that normal? Yes, if it’s a newer high-efficiency model. See the section above on that.

Can a dirty filter really cause drainage problems? It’s one of the most common causes we see. Check the filter before assuming something’s actually broken. It’s the cheaper fix.