Finding and Cleaning a Washing Machine Filter

A washing machine is one of the most essential appliances in your home, but it requires regular maintenance to perform efficiently and avoid costly repairs.

One often-overlooked task is cleaning the washing machine filter. Whether you own a top-load or front-load washer, keeping the lint filter or drain pump filter clean is critical for preventing clogs, improving performance, and extending the life of your appliance.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to locate the filter and walk you through the cleaning process step by step.

Why Cleaning Washing Machine Filters Is Essential

Over time, washing machine filters collect lint, debris, and detergent residue.

If left unchecked, these buildups can clog the filters, leading to poor drainage, longer wash cycles, unpleasant odors, and even damage to the washer’s internal components. Ignoring washer filter cleaning can lead to costly breakdowns or even premature replacement of your appliance.

Performing regular washer filter cleaning ensures your machine runs smoothly, uses energy efficiently, and delivers clean, fresh laundry every time.

How to Clean the Lint Filter in a Top-Load Washer

Many top-load washing machines don’t have a lint filter. They use a larger wash tub drain opening and more powerful drain pump to effectively remove lint from the spin basket and washer tub through the drain system with no need for a lint filter.

Check the owner’s manual to see whether your washing machine has a lint filter. If it does, the owner’s manual will show the location of the filter and provide cleaning instructions.

When a top-load washing machine does have a lint filter, it will often be in one of these locations:

• Beneath the agitator in the center of the spin basket.
• Inside the agitator.
• Along the spin basket’s bottom rim.
• Inside the washer’s drain hose (some models use a self-cleaning lint filter here).

Follow the instructions shown in the owner’s manual for your washing machine to clean the lint filter.

Here are some images that show the location of the lint filter in some types of current top-load washers:

Here are general steps to clean the lint filter in common top-load washing machines:

1. Pull the lint filter out of its housing.
2. Use a soft brush or an old toothbrush to scrub away lint and debris.
3. Rinse the filter under warm running water to remove residue.
4. Securely reinstall the filter back into its housing.

How to Clean the Drain Pump Filter in a Front-Load Washer

The drain pump filter in a front-load washer is designed to catch coins, buttons, infant socks and other debris before they reach the pump.

The location of the drain pump filter is behind a small access door at the bottom of the front washer panel on many front-load washing machines. Here’s an image that shows that location:

Here’s how to clean the drain pump filter in common front-load washers:

1. Make sure the washer tub is completely drained and then unplug the washer for safety.
2. Open the access panel by pulling the release tab down and out.
3. Position a shallow container next to the drain pump filter opening. Place some towels under the opening to catch water if it spills.
4. Pull the drain tube out and position its end over the container, then remove the plug from the end of the drain tube (see Step 3 in the image above for details). Residual water from the washer tub and drain system will trickle out of the drain tube.
5. Once the water is drained, twist the drain pump filter counter clockwise (to the left) to release it from its housing and pull the filter out. You’ll likely find coins and debris in the filter.
6. Remove any coins, debris and lint trapped in the filter. Wash the filter in a sink and use cleaning brush and mild soap to clean any deposits, mold or mildew from the filter. If you haven’t clean the filter within the last year or so, the filter and housing may stink badly. Don some protective gloves and use some liquid chlorine bleach if necessary to clean smelly mold and mildew deposits from the drain pump filter and its housing.
7. Rinse the drain pump filter under running water. Wipe the filter housing with a cloth moistened with plain water.
8. Reinstall the drain pump filter in its housing and twist it clockwise (to the right) to securely lock it in place in the housing.
9. Reinstall the drain tube plug and stow the drain tube on the clip. Close the drain pump filter access panel door.

Clean the drain pump filter every 6 months to avoid draining issues and bad washer odors.

In some front-load washers, the drain pump filter is located behind the bottom front service panel on the front of the washer. Here’s a video that shows how to clean the drain pump filter on older Kenmore and Whirlpool HE front-load washers:

Have a service technician visit your home and perform washer maintenance and cleaning service if you’re unable to find or access the drain pump filter on your own.

Have Your Washer Professionally Maintained Yearly

Whether you have a front-load or top-load washing machine, scheduling annual professional washer maintenance and cleaning service will ensure that your machine runs efficiently for years to come.

During washer cleaning and maintenance service, our Sears Home Services technician will:

• Inspect water fill hoses. The technician will inspect fill hoses for cracks and wear that can indicate potential failure. The tech will recommend fill hose replacement when it’s likely that a fill hose is at the end of its useful life. This maintenance step is often the most important one that the technician performs.
• Check the washer tub and internal hoses for wear and leaks. Some internal washer leaks begin as small drips you may not even notice. Small leaks can eventually turn into large ones that damage walls and flooring. During washer maintenance, the technician will check internal fill hoses, dispenser hoses and drain hoses for leaks and wear that need addressing.
• Test the washer drain system. The washer won’t clean and spin clothes if the drain system doesn’t fully remove water during the drain portion of the cycle. The technician will check drain pump operation and the complete drain path through your home’s drain system. The tech can clear obstructions and let you know if your house drain needs clearing.
• Check water fill level and water temperature. To keep your washer working efficiently and avoid garment damage, the technician check water fill levels and the water temperature. The washing machine won’t clean the clothes well if water level is too low. Too much water can cause leaks and damage suspension components. Water also needs to be at the right temperature to clean clothes properly. When water temperature isn’t hot enough, detergent won’t dissolve and clothes won’t get clean. You might even see detergent residue can on clothes when water temperature is too low. Water that’s too hot can shrink delicate garments and damage certain fabrics. Hot water also can cause bright colors to fade or run.
• Check the suspension system and spin cycle operation. Excessive vibration or banging during the spin will often result in clothes being too wet when the cycle ends. While banging during the spin cycle can be caused by an unbalanced load, it can also be caused by tub suspension problems. The technician will test the spin cycle and make sure that suspension components such as shock absorbers and springs are intact and working properly. The tech also will check washer leveling and stability and adjust leveling legs as needed to minimize vibration during the spin cycle.
• Run a cleaning cycle. The technician will typically run a cleaning cycle using a washer cleaner to remove deposits and detergent residue from the washer.

By incorporating regular professional maintenance by Sears Home Services into your washing machine care routine, you can enjoy the peace of mind that your washer is in top shape.

You can trust Sears Home Services to help you keep your washer and all your home appliances working more efficiently and lasting longer.