Not all washing machines have removable filters and newer models often don't have filters that need to be cleaned by the consumer.
If you have a high-efficiency (HE) washer — whether front- or top-loading — your machine likely doesn't have a washing machine filter.
“Most top load washers made after 2001 do not have washer filters in their drainage system. Instead, newer models utilize a more powerful drain pump and larger drain holes. If you have a model made before 2001, you can find the washer filters at the bottom of the washer drum underneath the agitator,” Maytag describes.
To find the filter, check the agitator for a removable cover that may reveal a lint trap, or feel around the top lip for a round or rectangular screen that can be taken out for cleaning. Front loading washers usually have filters accessible from the outside.
Most often, your washing machine can indicate that it needs a lint filter cleaning or replacement. You can see that it's time to clean your filter when you take the final look at your washed laundry, and if it's captured lint and loose hair, it's time for a filter cleaning.
What happens if you don't clean your washing machine filter? A dirty or clogged washing machine filter will prevent your appliance from running as well as intended, meaning your clothes won't get as clean as they should. They also might smell badly and have residue on them.
Washing machine filters can combat the hard water effects on the machine, without compromising the machine's life and wash quality. Mineral Removal: These filters remove minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the water before they enter the washing machine.
Start a hot wash cycle and allow the drum to fill completely with water. Once full, add a quart of chlorine bleach to the machine and allow the cycle to complete. Run a second cycle through the machine, adding a quart of distilled white vinegar to the drum after it's filled with hot water.
It's possible your washing machine does not have a filter at all. Most newer, high-efficiency washers rely on a filter in the pump that self-cleans, meaning that there's no need for maintenance on your end.
Do Maytag Washing Machines Have Filters? All modern Maytag washers have filters that should be regularly cleaned every 3-6 months to prevent harmful lint buildup or clogs. In top-loading machines the filters are in the center of the agitator tube.
For a homemade option, you can try cleaning your washing machine with vinegar. Just pour two cups of distilled vinegar into your detergent drawer. You can also use soda crystals (or baking soda) to clean your washing machine. Sprinkle half a cup into your drum and then let your washing machine run on a hot setting.
The lint filter in a top-load washer with a center agitator is inside the agitator. Newer washers with the agitator in the bottom of the drum may or may not have a lint filter. Some models rely on the water pump filter to do the work, while others have a mesh filter near the top rim of the drum.
You washer's lint trap or lint filter is located within the washing system, however. Depending on the type of washer, mesh lint traps or cleanable filters may be used. High-efficiency washers typically do not have lint traps or filters, however; they rely on built-in pump filters that self-clean.
Save money in the long run: The cost of a washable filter is higher upfront than a disposable one, but it lasts five years or longer, so it quickly pays for itself. After all, HVAC professionals recommend replacing the furnace filter every one to three months.
It's usually a removable filter that you can access by lifting or pulling it out. The lint filter is usually positioned inside the front door on front-load washing machines. You can locate it by opening the door and inspecting the bottom-right corner.
In most top-loaders, the lint filter is either positioned along the top rim of the washer drum or at the end of the drainage hose. You may also find it inside the center agitator, which you can unscrew and remove. Check your owner's manual if you need help.
It's generally recommended to clean your washing machine once a month, especially if you want to prevent musty odours from forming inside the drum and keep your clothes smelling great.
Many machines now have self-cleaning lint filter systems, while others use the traditional mesh trap in the wash drum that you have to clean manually. Front loaders typically don't need lint filters because they're gentler, but they will have a trap filter for those coins that fall into the washer.