The service life of any household appliances, including washing machines, depends on the regularity of preventive maintenance. Moreover, the quality of their conduct is also of great importance. First of all, users need to know how to clean the drain filter in the washing machine.
This procedure is required for the smooth functioning of the drain pump (pump). It is the filter of the washing machine that protects the latter from getting hair, wool, lint and other foreign objects into it. If cleaning is carried out out of time, then pumping out water will be difficult, which will lead to rapid wear of the pump.
Content
Where is the drain filter located?
Not all users understand the structure of the washing machine. In addition, today a huge number of models of units from dozens of brands are on sale. So that you do not have any difficulties with cleaning, we will figure out where the filter is at the washing machine, having considered most of the main manufacturers.
- Samsung, LG and Candy. These companies usually place the filter on the left under a hatch or hinged panel.
- ATLANT, Bosch, Siemens, Electrolux and others. On the right side under a cover or decorative strip.
- Top loading machines. On such models, regardless of the brand, the filter is always located behind the hatch in the lower left corner.
Note! In small equipment with a drum up to 3.5 kg, the filter element may be absent. However, such washers are rarely found on sale.
How to clean the drain filter in a washing machine - detailed instructions
It should be borne in mind that when removing the filter from the machine, water residues from the previous wash may flow out. For this reason, a thick cloth should be placed under the washer. Also, be sure to unplug the equipment from the outlet and turn off the water tap. Then you can unscrew the filter by turning it counterclockwise. After that, clean the filter from threads, hair, pieces of fabric and other debris. When large foreign objects have been removed, it is also necessary to rinse everything well with a sponge. It is very important to properly clean the drain filter of your washing machine, because the remains of plaque and powder on its surface will retain more foreign objects and equipment maintenance will be required more often.
Advice! You can get rid of the bulk of the water from the tank using an emergency hose located under the same cover as the filter element. However, even in this case, it is worth putting a rag on, because some liquid will still remain.
Also be sure to check the drain pump impeller, which usually collects hair and other debris as well. To do this, you need to shine a flashlight into the hole from which you removed the filter. Use tweezers or small scissors to remove all the trash. Then you can put the filter back in place. However, the hatch should not be closed immediately. First, plug in the appliance and run a test rinse. If water does not flow out of the filter during operation, then you can put the decorative panel and the washing machine in place.
Important! Some brands like LG, Electrolux and Zanussi separate the filter from the plug.In this case, you first need to unscrew it, and then remove the filter from the machine.
Why is it necessary to clean the drain filter in the washing machine?
If the filter is not cleaned regularly, it will create many serious problems over time. First of all, an unpleasant smell can be distinguished, which will be emitted not only by the equipment itself, but also by the washed laundry.
In addition, the draining of the washing machine will start to work poorly due to the large amount of accumulated debris. Over time, so many foreign objects will accumulate in the filtration system that water simply will not leave the tank.
Failure to clean the washing machine pump filter in time also risks costly repairs to the user. In case of excessive accumulation of debris, there is a high probability of a foreign object slipping into the pump, which will lead to partial or complete damage to the pump.
Note! The instructions for your washing machine model indicate not only the desired frequency of this procedure, but also detailed instructions are fully described.
How often do you need to clean the pump filter?
Home appliance manufacturers advise to carry out this procedure at least once every 3 months. However, this cleaning frequency is calculated for the normal use of the machine. If you wash more or less often, then, accordingly, it is necessary to regularly remove debris from the filter element. So, for a large family with children, in which the washing machine is used daily, it is necessary to service the machine every month.
Additionally, it is necessary to take into account the type of fabrics that are usually loaded into the drum. For example, any pile fabrics, as well as wool products, clog up the equipment more. If you are washing feather pillows, blankets or similar items, then cleaning the pump filter of the washing machine should be carried out immediately after the end of the program.
What to do if the filter cannot be unscrewed or removed?
Rarely, but still in some cases, cleaning the filter-trap can be difficult if it cannot be removed. This situation is possible when excessive accumulation of dirt and powder particles in the drain system. If you clean it regularly, which eliminates excessive clogging, then the problem can be caused by a stuck large object, such as a ball of wool, bra bone or other debris. In this situation, there are two ways to proceed:
- Take pliers. Sometimes it is enough to apply a little more force to achieve the desired result. This can be done with regular pliers. However, you need to act very carefully, because if a foreign object has blocked the filter element too much, then you can damage it.
- Clean through the pump. If the filter cannot be unscrewed even with pliers, then you will have to proceed with a more complicated method. Depending on the model of your unit, you will need to remove the front or back wall of the housing, disconnect the wires, and then remove the clamps that attach the hose and branch pipe to the pump volute. After that, the pump itself is removed directly. After that, it is most convenient to clean the filter through the hole for the drain pipe. However, there is also an alternative way. For it, disconnect the pump from the volute (using a screw fastening or latches) and clean the filter through the pump hole.
Important! The second method is fraught with a number of difficulties, therefore it requires some knowledge of the design of the washing machine. For average users, this method can be difficult, and if you are not sure that you will do the whole operation correctly, then it is better to entrust it to a specialist.
Conclusion
In this article, we figured out how to clean the drain filter of the washing machine yourself. Usually, even a user who does not understand the device of household appliances can perform this procedure. But for too complex cases it is better to trust an experienced master.At the same time, do not forget that the regularity of cleaning directly affects the durability and quality of the washing machine.
