What happens if you don't clean the washing machine filter?

What happens if you don't clean the washing machine filter? Surely, everyone has heard about the need to periodically clean the garbage filter of a washing machine. Even the instructions for the equipment indicate how important this is. However, many neglect the requirement, deciding to leave the machine alone until the first breakdown. Let's figure out what you can expect if you don't clean the washing machine filter. What consequences will an unconscious user have to deal with? We'll tell you how often you need to wash the part and how to do it yourself.

Consequences of inattention to the filter

The drain filter is one of the most important components of a washing machine. The filter element protects the pump from debris, hair and lint, which are always present in the water when washing clothes. In addition, due to the carelessness of the owner, keys, coins, buttons, hairpins may end up in the drum; buttons and rhinestones sometimes fall off from things. The cork will also hold back these items, preventing them from damaging the machine.

If you do not clean the garbage filter in a timely manner, a blockage will form and the washing machine will not be able to drain water into the sewer.

Users who do not bother themselves with emptying the trash can may encounter the following:

it will be difficult to drain waste water from the tank. If this problem is not solved, soon the washing machine will simply stop discharging waste into the sewer system, and the equipment will have to be repaired;
Some of the debris “caught” by the filter will still reach the pump, and it will fail. It is likely that a large foreign object stuck in the system will break the impeller blades. There will be a need to change the drain pump;
There will be an unpleasant odor coming from the machine.The foul aroma will then “spill over” to the washed laundry.

Now it’s clear what will happen if you ignore the rules and don’t clean the filter. In fact, rinsing the element is quite simple; the whole procedure will take no more than 15 minutes. Therefore, it is better to periodically remove debris and dirt accumulated during operation of the equipment in order to prevent serious damage to the automatic machine.

How often to clean?

Users concerned about the condition of their “home assistant” are interested in how often to wash the “trash can”. Do you need to do this once a month, or is it enough to get into the machine once a year? Washing machine manufacturers recommend cleaning the drain filter once every three months.

If the machine is used several times a day, the blockage will appear faster.

When a cat or dog lives at home, you will have to remove the filter more often - monthly. The unit should be cleaned at the same frequency when using the automatic machine every day. It is advisable to immediately rinse the cork after washing high-pile fabrics, blankets, soft toys, and wool bedspreads. how often to clean the filter

The following failures in the operation of the washing machine will tell you that it’s time to “work magic” on the filter element:

difficult or non-functional drainage;
deteriorated spin. In this case, the water drains normally, but things remain too wet;
washing “slows down” approximately in the middle of the cycle and does not resume;
It is not possible to start the Rinse or Spin program.

The user manual that comes with the washing equipment describes how to properly clean the drain filter and how often the element needs to be washed. A detailed algorithm of actions is indicated.Even if the booklet is lost, you can study the instructions on the Internet, but you definitely shouldn’t refuse to clean the unit.

Is it difficult to clean it yourself?

There is nothing difficult about cleaning out a “trash bin”, and there is no need to invite a specialist for such work. The drain filter is located near the washing machine pump. The pump on both “front-mounted” and “vertical” units is located at the bottom, usually in the right corner. It is in this place on the body that you can find a technical hatch or a removable false panel covering the plug.

You don't need to be an expert to clean the garbage filter. Even a housewife can cope with the task. The algorithm of actions will be as follows: rinse the filter under running water

Turn off the power to the machine, turn off the water supply tap;
slightly tilt the body of the machine back, place a low container under the washing machine. It will be needed to collect water that flows from the hole;
cover the floor around the unit with dry rags;
remove the protective panel or open the technical hatch. When the plastic does not give in, you can pry the latches with a thin screwdriver;
if the model has an emergency liquid outlet hose, pull out the tube, open it and drain the water into a basin. Then thread the hose into place;
Carefully unscrew the filter plug. To begin, turn it out one quarter of the way, and the remaining water will flow out of the system. Then, gradually, pull the element out of the housing completely. Some models of washing machines may have a plug in front of the filter. Then it is first removed, and only then the knot is taken out;
remove large debris and tangled hair from the removed part, wipe the surface with a damp cloth, remove dirt;
Rinse the filter under running warm water.You should not use household chemicals for cleaning; usually the products contain aggressive components that can damage the plastic element and rubber seal;
Wipe the walls of the hole formed after removing the filter, remove the debris from it. Shine a flashlight into the cavity - this way you can see the impeller. If there is any hair, thread, or other debris caught on it, remove it from the blades. Using a long stick, check the movement of the impeller; its movement should not be interfered with by foreign objects;
Screw the clean filter element into place. Be careful not to strip the threads of the part.

Make sure the drain filter fits straight into place.

If you place the “trash can” unsealed, then water will flow out from under the plug when washing. Therefore, pay special attention to screwing in the element.

Next, open the shut-off valve and plug the power cord of the machine into an outlet. To check how the cleaning went, run the “Rinse” mode or any other short program. This way you can make sure that the equipment does not leak.

If a puddle begins to appear under the machine, complete the cycle, turn off the power to the machine, unscrew the drain filter, not forgetting to place a basin under the device to collect water. Then carefully tighten the plug again. After successfully cleaning the “trash bin,” all that remains is to install a protective false panel or close the decorative hatch.

It is clear what will happen if you do not clean the drain filter. At one “wonderful” moment, the washing machine simply will not be able to perform its functions. To prevent this from happening, you need to wash the filter element once every 2-3 months, especially since this procedure takes a maximum of 15 minutes.