Just like you have to clean your vacuum cleaner from time to time, so should your washing machine. “During the wash cycle, detergent and water work to remove lint, dust, and pet hairs,” says Jenna Arkin, innovation director for ECOS, which makes eco-friendly cleaning products. pet, hard dirt, sand, hard stains of clothes”. .. “Although most stains are water soluble (meaning they dissolve and wash off in water), not all soils are.”
After all, dirt and grime has to go somewhere. “The filter collects these tiny particles as the wash water is rinsed out to make sure they don’t settle on the clothes,” says Arkin. “It also prevents lint and other debris from clogging the drain.”
If you’re at your current age knowing that your washing machine even has a filter, chances are you don’t know where to find it. “For front-loading machines, the filter is usually located on the bottom right or left of the front panel of the machine with a small door for access,” says Arkin. For top loaders, she says look for the filter in the middle of the agitator. And if you’ve recently updated your machine, you might be in luck, as newer models tend to have self-cleaning filters in the pump, according to laundry expert Kate Hanks from Hampr, a washing and folding according to application requirements. You can find this information in the manual for your machine or on the website of the brand that produced it. “Caring for your washing machine filter is an essential part of Laundry 101,” she says.
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How to clean the washing machine filter?
1. Drain and check for stuck items
“With gloved hands, remove the filter and take it to the trash; Arkin said. Please be aware that water may come out the front door, especially if your washing machine hasn’t been drained in a while, so first put down some old towels and get a small bowl to clean. catch the water flowing out. In Babs’ TikTok video, she can be seen removing the cap before the “smelly” and cloudy water comes out. Wearing gloves, she reached into the faucet and found a Q-tip and an old sock that had been caught in.
2. Clean the filter
Once the large particles have been removed, bring the filter to the sink. “Using a fine-bristled brush, make sure all [tiny] Arkin said. “For extra cleaning, sprinkle baking soda on the filter, scrub and rinse. This will remove any residual odors that may be trapped in the stain. In Babs’ video, she also sprays some white vinegar on a cloth and wipes the filter compartment inside.
3. Replace the filter
The job only takes five minutes, but cleaning the filter and taking care of your washing machine filter will not only prolong the life of the filter, but also give you more clean laundry. “For a machine to function properly, it needs to be able to quickly rinse both wash and rinse cycles,” says Arkin.
While you’re at it, don’t stop at filter replacement — take care of the whole machine. “Cleaning your washing machine is also a particularly important task to maintain its longevity and ensure that your laundry stays clean,” says Hanks. She added that failure to clean the inside of the machine can lead to; “Excess detergents, minerals in the water, bacteria, mold and unpleasant odors.” Here’s how to clean your washing machine in three easy steps.
