If you’re in Coquitlam and your washing machine has suddenly started leaving clothes dripping wet, smelling musty, or flashing strange error codes, nine times out of ten the fix is simpler than you think: a clogged filter. Giving it a quick clean can solve slow draining, bad odors, and even prevent major breakdowns. For anything more serious, professional appliance repair right here in Coquitlam is only a phone call away, but most everyday issues start and end with this five-minute job.
This step-by-step guide walks you through exactly where to find the filter, how often to clean it, and the precise process for both front-load and top-load machines. Let’s get your washer running like new again.
Why Does a Washing Machine Need a Filter Anyway?
Your washer’s filter (or filters) quietly traps everything you don’t want circulating through the pump:
- Lint, pet hair, and loose fabric fibers
- Coins, hair clips, buttons, bra wires, and the occasional child’s toy
- Shredded tissues or forgotten receipts
- Sand, dirt, and grime from heavily soiled loads
When the filter gets packed, water can’t drain properly. That leads to longer wash times, soaking-wet clothes, mold growth inside the door seal, and that tell-tale mildew smell that ends up on everything you wear. Ignore it long enough and the pump itself can burn out—turning a free maintenance task into an expensive repair.
How Often Should You Clean the Filter?
- Front-load washers: Every 1–3 months (or monthly if you have kids, pets, or wash lots of towels and blankets)
- High-efficiency top-loaders with a removable filter: Every 3–6 months
- Any machine that suddenly smells bad or drains slowly: Clean it today
Simple rule of thumb—if you can smell the washer before you even open the door, the filter is overdue.
What You’ll Need (All Stuff You Probably Already Own)
- A couple of old towels
- A shallow pan or baking dish
- An old toothbrush or soft scrub brush
- Flashlight or your phone’s light
- Needle-nose pliers (only if the cover is stuck)
- White vinegar (optional but great for mold)
Cleaning a Front-Load Washing Machine Filter – Step by Step
Almost every front-loader (LG, Samsung, Bosch, Whirlpool, Maytag, Electrolux, etc.) hides the filter behind a small rectangular panel at the bottom front.
- Unplug the washer for safety.
- Open the access panel—it usually pops open with your fingers or a gentle pry from a flat screwdriver.
- Spread towels on the floor and slide your shallow pan directly under the filter cap (water will come out—sometimes a lot).
- If your model has a small emergency drain hose, pull it out, remove the plug, and drain the remaining water into the pan.
- Turn the filter knob counterclockwise—slowly; it can be tight the first time.
- Pull the filter straight out. Expect coins, hair ties, and mysterious sludge.
- Rinse the filter under warm water and scrub with the toothbrush. Soak in a 50/50 vinegar-water mix for 10–15 minutes if it’s really grimy.
- Shine your light into the empty housing and wipe out any leftover gunk with a damp cloth.
- Push the clean filter back in and twist clockwise until snug (hand-tight only—don’t force it).
- Close the panel, plug the machine back in, and run a quick rinse cycle to check for leaks.
First-timer tip: Take a photo of the filter before you pull it out so you know exactly how it sits when you reinstall it.
Cleaning a Top-Load Washing Machine Filter – Step by Step
Older agitator-style top-loaders usually don’t have a user-cleanable filter, but many newer high-efficiency top-loaders (Whirlpool, Maytag, some Kenmore) do. The filter is typically:
- Under the center agitator
- Along the top rim of the tub
- Behind a small panel on the back or side
Check your manual for the exact location.
General process:
- Unplug the machine.
- Remove the fabric softener dispenser or cap on top of the agitator.
- Twist or lift the agitator itself (some unscrew, others just pull up).
- Reach down and remove the mesh basket or screen.
- Rinse thoroughly, scrub with the toothbrush, and reinstall in reverse order.
If you can’t find a removable filter and you’re still getting lint on clothes, run monthly tub-clean cycles with vinegar or Affresh tablets—your model is self-cleaning.
Brand-Specific Notes That Save Headaches
- Samsung: Filter usually on the lower left; a small plastic tool is often tucked in the manual packet.
- LG: Lower right, and many models have two black rubber hoses to drain first.
- Bosch: Extremely tight seal—turn very slowly to avoid stripping threads.
- Miele: Clean the fluff filter in the door seal plus the main pump filter at the bottom.
- Speed Queen: Most home models skip the user filter, but the pump screen can be reached by tipping the machine (best left to pros).
Bonus: Banish Mildew Smells for Good
After the filter is clean, run a maintenance cycle:
- Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the drum or detergent drawer.
- Run the hottest, longest cycle with no laundry inside.
- Wipe down the door seal (every fold!), glass, and drum with a vinegar-soaked cloth.
- Leave the door ajar for a few hours to dry completely.
Do this once a month and you’ll never have that locker-room odor again.
When It’s Time to Call a Professional
A clean filter solves the vast majority of draining and smell problems. But if you’ve done everything and the machine still won’t drain properly, spins weakly, or throws persistent error codes (E20, OE, F21, LE, etc.), the pump or a hose deeper inside may be the issue.
That’s when you want a local technician who understands Coquitlam’s hard water and the most common machines in the area. Regular filter cleaning is the easiest way to avoid those calls—and keep your washer happy for years.
Still stuck? Schedule fast, reliable washing machine repair and get back to fresh laundry the same day.