To access beneath the drum to find the item, you'll need to remove either the heater or the sump hose. To access the heater to check for a trapped item, unscrew and remove the washing machine's back panel. Then disconnect the electrical connections, taking a photo first so you remember how to reconnect them later.
What I do is get the wire coat hanger and insert it into the front of the drum at the bottom then turn the drum by hand so the hanger goes to the top and pull it out. The hair clip should catch on it and go to the top with the hanger. Then the item should fall out so get ready to catch it.
Between the Inner and Outer Drum
Sliding a wire pipe cleaner through the gap can help snag the item. It's a delicate process, but spinning your drum as you go can make it easier to get those lost items back.
Examine the Drum: Open the washing machine's door and feel around the drum's interior, paying special attention to the areas near and under the gasket (the rubber seal). Small items like coins, buttons, or even socks can get trapped here, impeding the drum's movement.
Start with an empty tub. For a front-load washer, put 2 tablespoons of borax or oxygen bleach and 2 tablespoons of washing soda in the tub of the washing machine. For a top-loading machine, put 1/2 cup of each of the powders into the wash tub. Run at the hottest temperature or use the “clean tub” setting on the washer.
If you've left something in the pocket of your jeans and would like to take it out, simply press the Start/Pause button, or turn the dial to the 'Off' position. This will make the washer drain the water, and after a few minutes, you'll be able to open the door easily.
Loosen the clip that keeps the sump hose attached to the outer drum, then pull the sump hose off the outer drum. You will then be able to see underneath the inner drum through the sump opening, which will allow you to look for any trapped items and remove them.
Turn off your machine at the mains and make sure it's empty. Open the filter hatch (usually bottom right on the front face of the machine). Unplug the drain tube and drain into a bowl then replace its plug. Lay down a towel, remove the filter and check for lost items then replace filter.
Pull the top cap off the agitator, then you can unscrew the bolt down under the agitator cap down the center of the agitator. Once the bolts is removed, the entire agitator can be pulled straight up and off so that you can remove the item below the agitator. Now you can reassemble, and you should be good to go again.
If you want to get rid of limescale in your washing drum, pour some descaler into the detergent dispenser, and start an empty cycle on at least 60 degrees. If you want to manually clean your drum from the inside, use a damp cloth to wipe it out.
When this happens, you will notice longer cycle times and water left at the bottom of the washer's drum. Start by pouring a half cup of bleach, distilled white vinegar, or a store-bought cleaner in the dispenser. Run a short cleaning cycle with warm water and no clothes in the washer.
Remove the screw and pull up on the agitator. If it is not in the washer you may need to pull the panel off of the dryer and look around the bottom or in the lint filter casing. Money, rings, nails and all sorts of things fall into these areas all of the time. Also check the baffles on the inside of the drum.
Use a puller to remove the drum. Center of the hub should have a depressed area where the puller's center bolt can be places. Then clip the jaws on the outer edge of the drum and tighten the center bolt until the drum breaks free.
To check for blockages, remove the drain hose from the drain outlet and visually inspect it. If you find any obstructions, remove them, and reattach the hose, ensuring it's securely in place.
In The Lint Trap
Another common place for socks to disappear is the lint trap. The lint trap is designed to catch lint and other small items that come off your clothes during the wash cycle. However, socks can sometimes slip through the holes in the lint trap and get caught on the other side.
Two common plausible explanations for missing socks are that they are lost in transit to or from the laundry, or that they are trapped inside, between, or behind components of ("eaten by") washing machines or clothes dryers.
Remove any clothes from the washer, then add the tablet or pour one cup of bleach or vinegar into the bottom of the drum. Close the lid and select the “basket clean cycle” if your washer has one, or run a normal hot water cycle.
Washing machine drum replacement cost falls between $350 and $550. Replacing the inner drum of a washer is one of the more costly repairs. Drums only require replacement if the tub has become damaged or has a manufacturer defect.
Experiencing a loose washer drum that's making a racket during your wash cycle is certainly not ideal. This issue could be a result of several factors such as worn out suspension springs, a faulty shock absorber, or loose drum bearings.
If necessary use a large screwdriver to carefully flex the drum and increase the gap to help remove the stuck item. After removal turn the drum to ensure the edge has not been buckled away and use a rubber mallet if required to knock back into shape so it will run true.