Musty smelling laundry or a fresh top covered in fuzz usually is not the detergent’s fault. More often the washing machine filter is clogged, and about 15 to 20 minutes of work fixes it.
That small trap catches lint, hair, and stray coins before they reach the pump. Left alone it starts to smell, slows the drain, and can leave a soaking load sitting in the drum at the end of a cycle.
This guide shows where the filter hides on top loaders and front loaders, how to clean each type without flooding the floor, and how often LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, and GE say to do it.
Key Takeaways
- How often: Clean a washing machine filter every 1 to 2 months. LG and Samsung advise about once a month, Whirlpool says every few months, and GE says every 1 to 2 months.
- The method: Pull the filter, soak it in hot soapy water for 10 minutes, scrub the mesh with a soft brush, then wipe out the housing before the filter goes back.
- Front loaders: Empty the emergency drain hose into a shallow tray first, then twist the pump filter counterclockwise so water does not flood the floor.
- No lint trap? High-efficiency washers self-clean the lint but still have a drain pump filter, or coin trap, behind a small door on the lower front panel.
Where Is the Filter in a Washing Machine?
A washing machine filter sits in one of three spots: inside the agitator or along the drum rim of an older top loader, behind a small access door at the bottom front of a front loader, or where the drain hose meets the back of the cabinet. Your user manual is the definitive map, but the list below covers almost every model.
Top-Loading Washers
Older standard top-load washers often use a removable lint filter to catch fuzz. High-efficiency (HE) top loaders usually rely on a self-cleaning pump instead. If you have a standard model, check these spots:
- The top rim: Run your hand along the upper drum rim to feel for a removable screen.
- The agitator: Check inside the center column (agitator). You may need to unscrew the cap to pull the filter out.
- The drainage hose: On rare models, the filter sits where the drain hose connects to the back of the machine.
Front-Loading Washers
Front-loaders almost always use a drain pump filter rather than a lint trap.
- Bottom corner: Look for a small square or round access door on the bottom right (sometimes left) of the front panel.
- Behind the kickplate: If there is no door, you may need to pop off the bottom kickplate to reach the pump housing.
Do All Washing Machines Have Filters?
Most front-loaders and HE top-loaders have a drain pump filter, also called a coin trap, while older standard top loaders usually have a removable lint screen instead. Most modern HE models have no lint screen at all, because a self-cleaning pump flushes lint out with the wash water instead of trapping it in a mesh screen you can pull.
Even those machines still have a drain pump filter, also called a coin trap, usually behind a small panel on the lower front. It catches coins, buttons, hair, and stray socks before they reach the pump, and it still needs regular cleaning to prevent clogs and pump failure.
How Often Should You Clean the Filter?
Clean your washing machine filter every 1 to 2 months, and once a month if you have a large family, wash pet bedding, or run heavy towels often.
The major brands line up closely on this. Samsung’s washer support guide says to clean the debris filter about once a month, roughly every 40 washes (1), and LG’s support guide recommends the same interval for the drain pump filter on its front loaders, about once every 30 days. GE is more relaxed, calling for a clean every 1 to 2 months per the company’s appliance support library (2).
According to Whirlpool’s drain pump filter guide, front loaders need the job every few months or as needed, and all-in-one washer-dryer models every 6 months (3). Whichever schedule fits your machine, sticking to it clears the sticky layer of lint, detergent, and fabric softener before it turns into the rotten egg smell that settles into a neglected drum.
How to Clean a Removable Lint Filter
Cleaning a removable lint filter takes about 15 minutes: pull the screen out, soak it in hot soapy water, scrub the mesh, and wipe out the slot it sits in before it goes back. Almost no tools are needed.- Time: 15 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
What You Need
- Paper towels
- Basin or sink
- Hot water
- Liquid detergent
- Soft-bristled brush
1. Remove the Filter
Locate the lint filter in your agitator or along the drum rim, then pull or unscrew it carefully. If it is covered in a layer of wet lint, peel that layer off and drop it in the trash. Do not rinse it down the sink, since wet lint clogs a household drain fast.
2. Soak in Hot Water
Fill a basin or sink with hot water and a teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent. Submerge the filter and let it soak for 10 minutes. The soak loosens hardened detergent buildup and the waxy fabric softener film that a brush alone tends to smear around.
3. Scrub It Clean
Use a soft-bristled brush to work the mesh from both sides until the slimy residue is gone. Rinse it under hot running water and hold it up to the light: if the holes are not clear, the filter still restricts flow.
4. Clean the Housing
Before you put the filter back, check the spot where it sits. Use a damp paper towel or cloth to wipe out any lint or gunk stuck in the filter slot.
5. Reinstall
Slide the filter back into place. Make sure it clicks or screws in securely so it does not float around during the next wash cycle.
How to Clean a Drain Pump Filter (Front Loaders)
Front-load washers and HE top-loaders use a drain pump filter, and clearing one takes about 20 minutes plus a towel, a shallow tray, and an old toothbrush. The filter catches heavy objects, so do not be surprised to find a few loose coins inside.- Time: 20 minutes
- Difficulty: Intermediate
What You Need
- Old towel
- Shallow baking dish or tray
- Small bowl
- Flashlight
- Liquid detergent
- Old toothbrush
1. Prepare for Water
Open the small access door at the bottom of your machine. Whirlpool’s own care instructions say to lay a towel flat under the filter door and set a broad, flat container on top of it before you touch anything, because water will pour out when the filter comes loose. Warning: this prep step is not optional, and a shallow baking dish beats a bucket, since a tall bucket will not fit under the opening.
2. Drain the Emergency Hose
Most models have a small black rubber hose next to the filter housing.
- Unclip the hose: Pull it out gently.
- Remove the plug: Hold the hose over your shallow dish or bowl and pull the plug out.
- Drain: Let the water flow out. If your dish fills up, plug the hose, empty the dish, and repeat until no water remains.
- Replace: Put the plug back in the hose and clip it into place.
3. Remove the Pump Filter
Now that the standing water is gone, twist the main round filter cap counterclockwise (to the left) and pull it out slowly. A little residual water may still spill out, which is why the towel is there.
4. Remove Debris and Scrub
Clear away any visible lint, coins, or hair from the filter. Rinse it under hot water and scrub it with an old toothbrush and a drop of detergent to lift mold or slime out of the pleats.
5. Check the Pump Housing
Shine your flashlight into the empty filter hole. Check for debris caught in the pump impeller (the little propeller at the back), then use a damp cloth to wipe the housing threads clean so the cap reseats without leaking.
6. Reassemble
Insert the clean filter back into the housing and twist it clockwise (to the right) until it is tight and secure. Close the access door, then run a short “rinse and spin” cycle to confirm there are no leaks.
FAQs
Keep It Clean
Cleaning a washing machine filter takes 15 to 20 minutes and does more for your laundry than almost any other maintenance job. A clear filter drains fast, skips the musty smell, and spares you an expensive pump repair later on.
Put it on the calendar: once a month if the machine runs daily, every 2 months otherwise. Your washer, and your nose, will notice the difference.
