How to Clean a Washing Machine Filter

Your washing machine is one of the most-used appliances in your home. In fact, the average U.S. household runs about 7–8 loads of laundry each week. All that use means bits of lint, hair, and soap residue inevitably build up inside the washer – especially in the filter that’s designed to trap debris. If that filter isn’t cleaned regularly, those trapped bits can lead to musty odors, slow drainage, or even mold growth in the machine. Neglecting the filter may leave clothes dirty and smelly and can even cause damage to the washer over time. The good news is that cleaning this small filter is a quick task that can keep your laundry fresh and your washer running smoothly.

Where to find the filter on your washer (front-load vs. top-load)

First, you need to locate the filter. Many front-loading washers have a drain pump filter hidden behind a small panel or door near the bottom front of the machine. On a front-loader, look along the lower front kick panel – you’ll usually spot a little square or round hatch. Gently pop that open, and you’ve found the filter compartment. For top-loading washers, older models often include a lint filter in or around the agitator (the tall post in the center) or along the top rim of the drum. If you have a top-loader, try removing the agitator cap or feeling just under the basket rim for a removable screen. However, note that many newer washers – including high-efficiency top-loaders – don’t have a user-accessible filter at all. Instead, they rely on a self-cleaning pump system. (We’ll cover what to do in that case later.) As always, if you’re unsure about the filter location, check your washer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for specifics.

How to clean the filter (step-by-step)

Once you’ve found the filter, cleaning it is straightforward. Before you start, make sure the washer is completely powered off – unplug it from the outlet for safety. Prepare your area by having a few items handy: an old towel or two, a shallow pan or dish to catch water, and optionally some rubber gloves (this job can get a bit mucky). Cleaning the filter will release some water and debris, so you’ll want to be ready.

Step 1: Open the filter compartment carefully. Position your shallow pan or towel directly under the filter door. For front-load machines, press the small door to open it (some may need a flat screwdriver or coin to pry open). You might see a round filter cap or plug inside. Twist this cap slowly counterclockwise to loosen it. Be prepared – as soon as it opens, residual wash water will start to trickle (or flow) out. Let the water drain into your pan or onto the towel. (Some front-loaders include a small built-in drain hose – if so, pull it out and empty the water into a dish.) For top-load washers with a filter in the agitator, you’ll typically pull out the agitator’s lint trap or filter screen from its slot.

Step 2: Remove the filter and wipe away debris. Once excess water is drained, fully unscrew and pull out the filter. It may look like a little plastic basket or a tray. Take a moment to fish out any visible gunk from the filter or its housing – you might find lint clumps, hair, coins, or even the odd sock part. Using a paper towel or cloth, wipe off as much debris as you can from the filter. If you’re wearing gloves, use your fingers to pull out sludge and rinse it off in a trash can or sink. The goal is to remove the bulk of the buildup that’s been clogging the filter.

Step 3: Rinse and scrub the filter clean. Now give the filter a thorough cleaning under warm running water. Take the filter to your sink and rinse away remaining residue. For stubborn grime or soap scum, use a soft-bristle brush (an old toothbrush works great) and a drop of mild dish soap to gently scrub the filter. Make sure all the little holes or screens in the filter are clear of buildup. If the filter is especially grimy, let it soak in hot soapy water for 5–10 minutes, then scrub again. A completely clean filter ensures water can flow freely through it.

Step 4: Clean the filter housing in the washer. Before putting the filter back, wipe out the cavity where the filter sits. Reach in with a damp cleaning cloth to remove any lingering muck from the opening and around the drain pump area. This area can harbor slimy residue or even small objects that were stuck. A flashlight can help you peek inside to ensure you didn’t miss any stray coins or dirt. Cleaning this space helps prevent immediate re-clogging of your nice clean filter.

Step 5: Reinstall the filter and test. Once the filter and housing are clean, screw the filter or lint trap firmly back into place. Make sure it’s seated correctly and tightened (but don’t overtighten plastic caps – just snug). Close the access panel or door. It’s a good idea to run a short wash cycle (or the machine’s rinse/spin cycle) with no clothes, just to make sure everything is sealed and working. Keep an eye out for any leaks during this test run. If water dribbles from the filter area, stop the machine and recheck that the filter is inserted fully and closed tight. When no leaks are observed, you’re all set – your washer’s filter is now clean and ready to do its job.

If your washer has no visible filter

What if you went hunting for a filter and came up empty-handed? Don’t worry – not every washer has a filter you can service. Many newer models, especially high-efficiency (HE) washers, are designed with self-cleaning pump filters instead of a removable lint trap. In these machines, lint and debris are supposed to be flushed out automatically, so the manufacturer doesn’t provide a user-accessible filter. Check your manual: if it doesn’t mention a filter, your washer likely takes care of lint on its own. However, “self-cleaning” doesn’t mean you should ignore maintenance. For washers without a filter, a good practice is to run an empty hot water cycle (or use the machine’s self-clean cycle, if available) once a month or so. This helps clear out any lint or soap buildup from the pump and drum. Also, keep an eye on performance – if an HE washer without a filter starts draining slowly or smelling off, there could be a clog in the pump. In that case, it may require a technician’s help to clear, since the components are internal. When in doubt, contacting the manufacturer or a trusted appliance repair service is the best course.

How often to clean the filter

How frequently you should clean your washing machine filter depends on your washer model and how much laundry you do. Check your manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation – it can range from as often as once a month to just twice a year. A general rule of thumb: aim to clean the filter every three months under normal use. If you have a big family or heavy laundry habits, you’ll want to do it more often. Households that run loads daily – or wash lots of pet hair, muddy work clothes, or other debris-heavy items – should clean the filter on the monthly side of things to prevent clogs. On the other hand, if you only do a couple loads a week, a twice-yearly cleaning might suffice. The key is to be proactive. Regular quick cleanings are easier than waiting until the filter is so full of gunk that it causes a problem.

Signs your washer filter needs cleaning

Don’t wait for a total blockage to remember the filter. Your washer will give you hints that the filter is overdue for a cleaning. Look out for these common signs of a clogged filter:

• Your clean laundry isn’t actually clean. If clothes come out of the wash with lint, pet hair, or gritty particles on them, it means the filter may be too full to trap debris (or debris is recirculating onto your clothes).
• Water isn’t draining properly. When a filter is clogged, your washer may finish a cycle and leave behind water in the drum or leave your clothes soaking wet because it couldn’t drain out all the water. You might notice the final spin is less effective or the machine takes longer to drain.
• There’s a funky, musty odor. A sour or mildew smell from the washer or on your clothes is a red flag. It often happens when water is standing somewhere in the machine due to a blocked filter, leading to mold or bacteria growth.

Any one of these symptoms is your washer’s way of saying the filter needs attention. The sooner you clean it out, the sooner your laundry will smell fresh and your machine will run efficiently again. (After cleaning the filter, run an empty hot wash to flush any lingering muck and odors.)

When to get professional help (gentle reminder)

Regular filter cleanings will prevent a lot of headaches, but there are times you might need a helping hand. Perhaps you cleaned the filter and your washer still smells like a swamp, or maybe the machine won’t drain even after a filter check. It’s also possible your model has an internal issue that a quick filter fix can’t solve. Don’t stress – you have neighbor-approved options in Chicago to lighten the load. You can bring your laundry to our self-service facility if your washer is out of commission – our self‑service laundry machines are ready and waiting. If you’re short on time or just over laundry duty (we don’t blame you), let us do the work with our convenient wash‑and‑fold service. We’ll return your clothes fresh, clean, and folded without you lifting a finger. For an extra-deep clean, we even offer ozone-sanitized laundry treatments through our ozone cleaning service – it’s a premium touch that eliminates odors and germs for peace of mind. Remember, keeping up with simple upkeep like filter cleaning makes a big difference, but when you need help, we’re here to ensure your laundry comes out clean-obsessed and Chicago-neighbor approved every time.