How To Clean My Washing Machine Filter | Quick & Easy Guide

Your washing machine works hard to keep your clothes clean, but it needs a little maintenance itself. Most people assume the appliance stays clean because it uses soap and water. But every wash sheds lint, hair, loose coins, and fabric fibers that get trapped in the filter.

Over time, a clogged filter leads to slow drainage, musty odors, and less effective cleaning. The good news is that cleaning it takes about ten minutes once you know where to look. This guide covers the exact steps for both front-load and top-load machines and explains how often to do it.

Where To Find The Washing Machine Filter

Front-load washers hide the filter behind a small hinged or snap-off panel at the bottom right or left corner. You may need a coin or a flathead screwdriver to pop the panel open. Behind it, you will find a short drain hose and a round twist-knob that holds the filter.

Top-load machines are less predictable. On many models, the filter is inside the center agitator. You pull the cap off the agitator to access a small mesh basket. On other top-loaders, the lint trap sits inside the top rim of the drum.

Before opening anything, lay a few towels on the floor and keep a shallow dish nearby. Some trapped water will spill out when you open the housing. A small pan catches that water so it does not run across the floor.

Why The Filter Gets Clogged In The First Place

The filter is your machine’s unsung hero — it catches everything that slips off your clothes during the wash cycle. It is easy to ignore because it does its job silently until the buildup causes a problem.

• Lint and fabric fibers: Every load sheds microfibers from cotton, fleece, and synthetics. Towels and microfiber cloths shed heavily.
• Small objects: Coins, hairpins, paper clips, and forgotten tissues break down and lodge in the mesh.
• Pet hair and dander: If you wash pet bedding or blankets, the filter traps a surprising amount of fur each cycle.
• Heavily soiled items: Work uniforms, muddy sports gear, and cloth diapers push extra grit and debris through the system.

All that buildup restricts water flow. The machine works harder to drain, cycles take longer, and trapped moisture creates musty, mildew-like smells. Cleaning the filter regularly prevents all of it.

How Often To Clean The Washer Filter

For a typical household running five to eight loads per week, cleaning the filter every 2 to 3 months is enough to keep the machine draining well and smelling fresh. Mark it on your calendar if you tend to forget routine maintenance.

If you run multiple loads daily or wash a lot of lint-heavy fabrics like towels and fleece, Southern Living suggests you should clean every 2 to 3 months, bumping it up to monthly if drainage starts slowing down. The same goes for pet owners who wash bedding frequently.

Pay attention to warning signs. Slow draining, water pooling in the drum after a cycle, lint stuck on your clothes, or a mildew smell all point to a filter that needs immediate attention.

How To Clean The Filter Step By Step

The process is simple and requires no special tools beyond a soft brush and a cloth. Follow this routine, and your washer will be back to full performance in minutes.

1. Unplug the washer and turn off the water supply. Safety comes first — this prevents the machine from accidentally starting mid-cleaning.
2. Place towels under the access panel. Open the panel slowly. Pull the small drain hose and let trapped water flow into a dish or baking pan.
3. Remove the filter. Twist the filter knob counterclockwise. It may be tight at first; use a firm, steady pull to free it from the housing.
4. Rinse and scrub the filter. Run warm water over the mesh screen. Use a soft brush or old toothbrush to work lint and debris out of the grooves.
5. Clean the housing and reassemble. Wipe down the inside cavity with a cloth or scrub brush. Reinsert the filter and twist clockwise until snug. Close the access panel.

Run a short empty cycle afterward if your machine has that option. This flushes any loosened debris out of the system and leaves the washer fresh for the next load of laundry.

What To Do After Cleaning The Filter

Once the filter is out and freed from lint and debris, the real cleaning happens at the sink. Maytag recommends you thoroughly rinse filter under warm water to remove every trace of trapped fiber and grime from the mesh.

While the filter is drying, check the drain pump area inside the housing for foreign objects like buttons, small toys, or loose change. A quick look here prevents future blockages that are harder to reach.

Wipe down the rubber gasket around the door opening. Moisture and lint gather there too, and they contribute to mildew smells even when the filter is clean. A dry gasket keeps the whole machine fresher between maintenance sessions.

The Bottom Line

A clean filter is the simplest way to keep your washing machine running efficiently and your clothes smelling fresh. It prevents slow cycles, musty odors, and lint-covered laundry. Adding it to your seasonal cleaning routine — or monthly if you have pets — takes about ten minutes and extends the life of the machine.

If the filter feels stuck or drainage issues persist after cleaning, check your owner’s manual or call a licensed appliance technician who can confirm the correct part and procedure for your specific washer model.