Ever pull your “clean” laundry out of the wash only to find it smelling funky or covered in fuzz? If so, you probably need to learn how to clean a washer lint trap. This often-overlooked filter catches lint, hair, and debris from your wash water.
If you skip regular cleaning, mold and mildew can take over, leading to that dreaded musty odor. Don’t worry, though. We’ll show you exactly how to find and clean a lint filter to keep your machine, and your clothes, fresh.
Key Takeaways
- Clean regularly: clear the trap every few months to prevent odors and residue on clothes.
- Know the spots: check under the rim, inside the agitator, or behind a small hatch near the floor.
- Soak and scrub: use hot water, dish soap, and a small brush to remove slime and debris from removable filters.
- Stop the buildup: sort fabrics, avoid overcrowding, and use the gentle cycle to reduce lint creation.
Signs Your Lint Trap Needs Cleaning
Your washing machine usually gives you a few visual and olfactory clues when the filter is clogged. The most obvious sign is residue; your dark clothes might come out looking like they are wearing a fur coat.
You might also notice a lingering, musty scent. That musty smell comes from mold and mildew growing on the wet lint trapped inside the filter. If your laundry smells worse coming out than it did going in, check the trap immediately.
How to Clean a Washer Lint Trap
Before you start tearing your appliance apart, check your model type. Many modern High-Efficiency (HE) machines do not have a traditional removable lint screen like older models. Instead, they rely on a self-cleaning pump or a drain pump filter.
If you have a self-cleaning pump, you simply need to run an empty cleaning cycle once a month to flush it out. If you have a pump filter, you will need to manually drain and clean it.
Tools You Need
Gather these supplies before you start hunting for the filter:
- Paper towels
- Soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush works great)
- Liquid dish soap
- Hot water
- Large bowl or bucket
- White vinegar (optional, for killing mold)
Where Is the Lint Trap on a Washing Machine?
The easiest way to find your specific filter is to check the user manual. If that long-lost document is gone, here are the four most common hiding spots.
The Top Rim of the Drum
Open the lid of your top-loader. Slide your fingers along the top rim of the washer drum (where the metal meets the plastic housing). If you feel a screen or a removable mesh piece, that is your trap.
Inside the Center Agitator
If you have an old-school top loader with a tall plastic column in the middle, the filter might be inside it. Remove the cap from the top of the agitator. Some simply lift out, while others unscrew. You should see a filter cylinder inside.
Near the Water Pump or Drain Hose
On standard top loaders, you might have to remove the outer housing to get to the water pump filter, though this is rare for routine maintenance. More commonly, check the back of the machine where the drain hose connects; there may be a small screen there.
Behind a Maintenance Hatch
This is the standard location for front-loaders and HE top-loaders. Look for a small square door on the front of the machine, near the bottom. Behind this hatch is the drain pump filter, which acts as the lint trap for these units.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Instructions
1. Remove the Filter
Once you locate the filter, remove it. If you have a drain pump filter (behind the hatch), have a towel ready, as water will spill out when you unscrew it. If the filter is disposable (rare, but possible), toss it and buy a replacement. If it is a permanent mesh or plastic screen, it’s time to clean.
2. Soak and Scrub
Fill a bowl with hot water and a squirt of dish soap. Submerge the filter and let it soak for 10 minutes. This loosens the grime, detergent buildup, and fibers.
After soaking, use your small brush to scrub away the residue. If the filter has mold (black spots), add a cup of white vinegar to your soak solution to kill the spores. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a paper towel.
3. Clean the Housing
Don’t put a clean filter back into a dirty hole. While the filter is soaking, use your brush or a paper towel to remove soap scum and slime from the slot where the filter lives. Get into the crevices to ensure no mold is left behind.
4. Reassemble
Slide the filter back into place. Ensure it clicks securely or is screwed in tight so it doesn’t float away during the next spin cycle.
How to Prevent Lint Buildup
You can’t stop lint entirely, but you can reduce how much of it ends up stuck in your machine.
Sort Like a Pro
Don’t just separate lights and darks. Sort your clothing by fabric type. Wash “lint givers” (like fluffy towels, fleece, and flannel) separately from “lint attractors” (like corduroy, synthetic blends, and dark cottons). This prevents the fuzz from migrating to clothes where it sticks.
Give Clothes Room to Move
Resist the urge to stuff the washer full. When you overcrowd the drum, water can’t circulate effectively to flush lint away. The clothes also rub against each other more aggressively, which creates more friction and generates more lint.
Wash in Cold Water
Hot water tends to break down fibers faster, leading to more shedding. switching to cold water is gentler on fabrics and helps keep the fuzz to a minimum.
Use the Gentle Cycle
For high-shedding items or delicate fabrics, use the gentle or permanent press cycle. The slower agitation speed reduces fiber breakage, meaning less debris ends up in your trap.
Lint Trap FAQs
Why Does My Washer Leave Lint on My Clothes?
If you’re finding lint on your clothing after washing, your lint filter is likely full and needs cleaning. It could also mean the water pump filter is clogged, preventing dirty water and lint from draining out of the machine properly.
What Happens When I Don’t Clean the Lint Trap?
If you skip cleaning, the trap overflows, depositing wet lint back onto your clean laundry. Worse, the trapped wet debris becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew, causing your machine and clothes to smell sour.
How Often Should I Clean the Lint Trap?
You should clean the lint trap at least once every three months (quarterly). If you wash heavy loads like towels or pet bedding frequently, check it once a month.
Where Is My Washer Filter Located?
Locations vary by model. Common spots include under the top rim of the drum, inside the center agitator, or behind a small maintenance hatch on the bottom front of the machine.
Why Is My Lint Trap Not Collecting Lint?
If the trap is empty, it might be clogged with invisible detergent buildup, installed incorrectly, or you may be looking at the wrong part. In self-cleaning HE machines, you won’t see lint because it is flushed down the drain automatically.
What Happens When Something Falls in the Lint Trap?
If coins or small items fall into the trap or pump filter, they can block water flow. This can cause the motor to overheat or the pump to fail, potentially leading to costly repairs or even a fire hazard if the electrical components overheat.
Do Dryer Sheets Help Remove Lint?
Dryer sheets help reduce static electricity in the dryer, which stops lint from sticking to clothes. However, they don’t physically “remove” lint inside the washing machine itself.
Do All Washing Machines Have a Lint Trap?
No, not all machines have a user-accessible lint trap. Most modern high-efficiency (HE) machines use a self-cleaning pump system that flushes lint down the drain, though many still have a pump filter (coin trap) that requires occasional manual cleaning.
