How to clean the drain filter in the washing machine?

Any washing machine will serve its owner for a long time if properly cared for. First of all, you need to know that its uninterrupted operation directly depends on the condition of the systems that filter water. Today we will take a closer look at the process of cleaning the drain filter in the washing machine, because it is in it that blockages most often form, which lead to malfunctions and even breakage of household appliances that we need so much.

In every modern washing machine there are two types of filter units:

• Input filter. Tap water passes through it, entering the drum of the machine before each wash.
• drain (aka drainage, aka pumping) filter. It purifies the water after each cycle of work.

The used water from the drum of the machine enters a special rubber pipe, shaped like an accordion. This is a small short pipe for draining water. The drain filter is connected directly to it.Further, from the nozzle, water (purified from mechanical and other types of debris) enters the pump pump and its impeller. This is a kind of "engine" of the entire drain system.

The impeller (aka the snail) creates pressure in the “engine” structure, and thanks to this pressure, the water is pumped out and then goes directly into the sewer, so otherwise this drain filter is still pumping.

Having understood the structure of the entire drain system, you can understand that the first and most important purpose of the drain filter is to protect the drain pump and its impeller from clogging with dirt and small objects, which prevents the entire washing machine from breaking down. The second (no less important) purpose is to prevent clogging of the sewer pipe.

The following failures and malfunctions of the washing machine can signal a blockage in the drain filter system:

• it is impossible to drain the water from the tank;
• the spin and / or rinse mode does not turn on;
• the wash cycle has stopped;
• the discharge of waste water is slowed down;
• an alphanumeric error code appears on the display of the washing machine.

If a special code is displayed on the display screen of the machine, which indicates a malfunction, you can look at the instructions for this household appliance. If the manual is lost and cannot be found, Below are the meanings of the error letters for different brands of washing machines and their meaning:

• Bosch - F03 - water does not drain;
• Ariston - F05 - a problem in the pump pump mechanism;
• Samsung - E 2 - either the drain filter is dirty, or an error in the operation of the pump;
• Electrolux and Zanussi - E21, possibly E24, E23, E22 - the drain does not work, the water drain operation takes too long;
• LG - OE - it is impossible to drain the water, the filter or drain hose is faulty;
• Hansa, Candy, ASKO - E03 - water does not come out of the machine, the program has detected problems in the drain system - water flows slowly due to a blockage or the operation cannot be performed at all, the purifier of the water leaving the machine or the entire drain system is clogged.

In these cases, it is urgent to check the condition of the drain system. To do this, you need to determine on which side of the machine the filter unit is located directly.

Localization of the drain filter in different models of washing machines:

• Bosch, Siemens and Indesit washing machines are equipped with a drain device, which is usually located at the bottom right (behind the front panel);
• machines of the Electrolux and Zanussi brands place the filter behind the rear panel of the device;
• LG, Hotpoint, Ariston, Samsung, Whirlpool brand machines mainly place the filter part in the lowest part (behind a small door).

Eliminating a blockage (that is, cleaning the drain filter) in a car when calling a paid master can cost its owner a tangible amount. On average, it is 1000-1500 rubles. Since such breakdowns are not included in the warranty repair of this household appliance, you can try to solve the problem yourself. You must first carry out the preparatory stage before the cleaning process.

First of all, this requires:

• turn off the power supply;
• prepare a large and dry, well-absorbing rag or an old towel, because when the filter is removed, water will surely flow;
• if the filter is behind an iron door that cannot be opened manually, you can prepare a flat screwdriver;
• prepare a flat pan for draining water.

The filter itself is a small (hollow inside) flask with a special mesh.

Cleaning the pump filter should be done slowly, step by step:

• As mentioned above, first you need to unplug the machine from the network. This is very important for safety in further actions. Next, you need to turn off the water supply.
• We find the location of the drain filter, remove with a screwdriver or manually the door protecting it or a special protective panel. This part is attached with latches or hooks. You can remove it in several ways: pry off the upper part and pull it towards you, or sideways from right to left.
• In the drain system (unlike the tank of the washing machine) there is always water. When unscrewing the drain filter, it can leak onto the floor, so it is better to place a rag under the machine or slightly raise it by placing a flat tray below.

• For cars of the brands AEG, LG, Electrolux, Zanussi, you first need to pull out the plug, and then the filter itself. To unscrew the drain filter, you need to carefully turn it counterclockwise by 40-60 degrees. Water will also flow from the hole.
• Next, you can start cleaning the filter. It can contain a lot of garbage - paper clips, hair, lint, buttons, fasteners, coins and even toothpicks. We clean the filter from debris, and then wipe it with a brush or a rag made of hard material.
• You can also look inside the machine, wipe the rest of the parts, check for blockages in the pump and impeller - it should move freely if you twist it.
• After cleaning is completed, you need to carefully but tightly screw the filter back, and then do the rest of the manipulations to complete the work.

The main thing is that the filter clearly falls into place - poorly screwed, it will leak.

After the work done, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The next 2 or 4 months the filter will not have to be cleaned. Of course, it all depends on the frequency of washing and the material of the contaminated items. However, some masters recommend:

• clean the drain filter after each fully completed washing cycle, if the machine has been loaded with woolen or high pile items, as well as down pillows or blankets;
• use tap water softeners that prevent scale formation;
• continue to prevent small objects from getting into the drum of the machine, for this, check clothes for the presence of decorative details and the contents of pockets;
• if the clothes have a zipper, it is better to fasten it before washing;
• clothes with metal or plastic inserts are best washed in special covers.

If you have not cleaned the pump filter for a long time, it may “stick” and not be pulled out due to grease, dirt, or small debris stuck in it.

In this case, you can use pliers, but so as not to break the plastic part. It is also acceptable to clean the filter through the removed pump if the pliers did not help. This is not very easy to do, since you need to remove the panel of the machine body, disconnect the wiring, disconnect the pipe and hose, and then pull out the pump with the impeller. Then, through the recess for the pipe, you can clean the filter itself.

Thus, in order to prevent premature failure of such a valuable household item, you need to regularly check its filtration system, and not wait for a malfunction to appear.

For more information on how to clean the drain filter in the washing machine, see the following video.