How to Find and Wash the Filter in Your Washing Machine.

You should ideally clean your dryer's lint trap after every load of laundry, as you are probably aware of. It's likely that your washing machine has never had a filter cleaned if you were unaware that it had one. But fear not—it's a fairly simple task once you know where to look. What you should know is as follows.

The location of the filter in your washing machine.

Ensure that your washing machine is turned off, with all knobs in the "off" position, and unplugged before removing the filter.

Referring to your washer's owner's manual is the easiest way to find the filter location. If you've lost yours or bought your house with appliances from the previous owners, you should be able to locate it online.

How to look up the owner's manual online.

Start by looking for the manufacturer and the model number of your washer, which is usually found on a sticker on the back or inside the door. You can try searching for it on specialized websites like Manual Owl or Manualsonline . com if that doesn't work. The user handbook may provide you instructions on how and how often to clean the filter in addition to pointing out where it is on your device.

How the washer type affects the filter's location.

Some washing machine models share common locations for their filters, despite model-specific variations.

Top-loading machines: at the end of the drainage hose, on the top rim of the washer tub (a screen you can pull out), or in the center of the agitator (unscrew it).

Front-loading machines: Usually on the front (though occasionally on the back) of the appliance, hidden by a hatch. In the center of the agitator (unscrew it), on the top rim of the washer tub (a screen you can pull out), or at the end of the drainage hose.

Most often located on the front (but occasionally the back) of the appliance, hidden by a hatch. More recent, high-efficiency models: These lack filters in most cases.

How to maintain the filter in your washing machine.

When you remove the filter, it will likely be full of disgusting water, wet lint, and who knows what else. So be prepared with an empty bucket and some rags. After removing the filter, take out anything that remains inside the filter compartment. To improve visibility, shine a flashlight inside the space.

After that, give the filter a thorough rinse with clean, warm water after removing as much of the gunk and debris as you can. If any areas of the filter need to be cleaned, use an old toothbrush, sponge, rag, or cotton swabs along with a mild dish soap and warm water or half water and half white vinegar solution. After the gunk has been removed, rinse the filter in fresh, warm water and pat dry with a cloth free of lint.

Barbara Costello, also known on social media as "Brunch with Babs," advises spritzing the interior of the filter compartment with white vinegar and allowing it to dry before changing the filter to prevent it from becoming dirty again right away. Four times a year, she advises cleaning the filter in your washing machine. Even though it might seem like a lot, remember that it was probably never as gross as it was the first time.

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