How to Clean Your Front Load Washing Machine Filter (and Why You Should)

Let’s talk about something truly gross: the filter in your front load washing machine. Learning how to clean this washer filter is simple, but did you even know you had one? 

 Most people don’t, and we get it! It’s not something your appliance manual makes super obvious, but it’s doing some serious dirty work behind the scenes.

If your washer is starting to smell like a hockey bag, draining slowly, or leaving lint and grime on your “clean” clothes, the filter might be to blame. Time to roll up your sleeves.

What Is the Washer Filter and What Does It Do?

Your front load washer has a drain pump filter that catches lint, coins, hair, and all the other gunk that gets washed out of your clothes. Its job is to trap debris before it clogs your drain pump. When it gets full (and it will), it can cause draining issues and nasty smells.

True story: One of our team members once found (half of) a $100 bill in her own front load filter! And no, the bank didn’t accept it after that. 

Where to Find the Filter on a Front Load Washer 

Most front load washers have a small access panel near the bottom front of the machine. It might be a little door you pop open with your fingers or behind a flat panel you pry off with a butter knife (carefully!) or a special screw driver. 

Heads Up: Check Your Manual First

Not all machines are built the same. Before you go yanking on mystery knobs, check your user manual (or Google your model number) to confirm where your filter is and how to remove it safely. Some machines hide them well, and a few don’t have user-accessible filters at all. Know what you’re dealing with first. Don’t turn this into a repair job.

Once you open it, you’ll see:

• A twist-off cap or knob (the actual filter)
• A small rubber emergency drain hose (on some models)
• A little tray or space underneath (which is laughably small for what’s about to happen)
  

Spoiler alert: It’s going to be wet and disgusting.

How to Clean Your Front-Load Washer Filter 

You’ll want to clean your washing machine filter every 1–3 months, depending on how often you do laundry (and how many mystery items your kids or spouses leave in their pockets). Here’s how:

What You’ll Need:

• A towel or two
• A shallow tray, baking dish or bowl
• Gloves (optional, but… ew)
• Bleach and a small scrub brush or toothbrush
  

Step-by-Step:

1. Unplug your washer. Safety first.
2. Lay down towels and slide your tray, baking dish or bowl under the panel to catch water.
3. If there’s a drain hose, pull it out. There will be a cap at the end. Remove the cap while holding the hose over the bowl. Slowly drain the water into the bowl.
4. Unscrew the filter. Brace yourself: there may be a wave of murky water.
5. Remove any gunk inside the filter: lint, coins, hair, LEGO heads, etc.
6. Soak and scrub the filter in bleach and hot water.
7. Wipe inside the cavity where the filter goes to remove any sludge.
8. Reinstall the filter securely and close the panel.
   ⚠️Tighten It Like You Mean It.
   Before you close everything up and hit start, double check that both the hose cap and filter are screwed in tight. If they’re loose, you might end up with a surprise lake in your laundry room. Don’t ask us how we know. 😉
9. Plug your washer back in and run a short rinse cycle to test it.
   

Troubleshooting Common Filter Problems 

Smells bad even after cleaning?
Check your detergent drawer, door seal (see this article), and run a drum cleaning cycle with bleach or a washer cleaner (USA | Canada). Smell = bacteria.

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Filter won’t come out?
Try turning it slowly and pulling gently. If it’s stuck, it might be clogged with hair or string. Don’t force it: consult your manual.

Still not draining properly?
The pump or drain hose may be clogged. Cleaning the filter is step one, but you may need to remove and inspect the back hose if problems persist.

A Word on the Funk

A clogged filter can trap moisture and create a perfect little bacteria spa. That’s why your washer smells like feet. Keep the filter clean and the door open between washes to let everything dry out.

Set a Reminder

Make this part of your regular laundry routine. Add it to your calendar every couple of months. Your washer works hard. Show it some love.

Final Tip from GoCleanCo 

Don’t wait until your machine is screaming for help. A five-minute filter clean can save you from a full-on flood, gross laundry, or an expensive repair. Trust us: you’d rather deal with it on your terms than with your socks floating across the laundry room.

If you’re a visual learner, watch the video below:

Becky @GoCleanCo