TL;DR
Most front load washers and many newer top loaders have a drain pump filter behind a small hatch at the lower front of the machine. It holds a liter or more of standing water, so you drain it into a shallow pan before you unscrew the cap. Check it every one to three months -- on a machine that has never been opened, it is often the single worst source of odor.
What this filter actually is
It is not an air filter and it is not a water intake screen. The drain pump filter, also called the coin trap or pump trap, sits between the drum and the drain pump. Its job is to catch anything that could jam the pump impeller: coins, buttons, hair ties, screws, bra underwires, pen caps, and dense mats of lint and pet hair.
That means it is a basket of debris permanently sitting in stagnant water inside a warm machine. When people describe a washer that smells like something died in it, this is frequently the answer, alongside the gasket in why a front load washer smells musty.
Where is the washing machine filter?
On most front loaders it is behind a small rectangular or round access panel at the bottom front of the cabinet, usually on the right, sometimes hidden behind the kick plate. Pop the panel with a coin or a flat screwdriver. Inside you will find a screw-out cap and, on many models, a short drain hose.
Top loaders vary. Many older agitator models have no serviceable filter at all -- lint is carried out with the drain water. Some newer high-efficiency top loaders have a pump trap in a similar low front position, and a few have a removable lint basket inside the tub or on the agitator. If a hatch is not obvious, check the appliance manual for your model rather than prying at panels.
Before you open it, read this
The trap is full of water and it will come out fast. Plan for one to two liters.
- Unplug the machine, or switch off its circuit.
- Turn off the water supply valves if they are accessible.
- Put down towels across the floor in front of the machine.
- Have a shallow baking pan or a wide low bowl ready. A tall bucket will not fit under the hatch.
- Wear gloves. What comes out is not pleasant.
If the machine is mid-cycle with water still in the drum, run a drain or spin cycle first so the tub empties.
Step by step
1. Open the access panel. Pry gently at the tab or seam with a flat tool. Most panels hinge down or pop straight off.
2. Use the small drain hose if there is one. Many machines have a short hose tucked beside the filter cap with a plug in the end. Pull it out, hold it over your pan, and remove the plug. Empty the pan and repeat until the flow stops. This is far less messy than opening the cap first.
3. Unscrew the filter cap slowly. Counterclockwise. Let the remaining water run into the pan. If there is no drain hose, expect all of it here, so go slowly and be ready to retighten the cap while you dump the pan.
4. Pull the filter out and clear it. Expect lint mats, hair, coins, and small hardware. Pick out the solids first, then rinse the screen under hot running water and scrub it with an old toothbrush.
5. Check inside the housing. Reach in with a gloved finger and feel around the impeller. Remove anything caught there. The impeller should turn freely by hand -- if it does not, something is jammed and you may need service.
6. Reseat everything. Screw the filter back in firmly, hand tight and fully seated. A loose cap leaks at the next drain. Reinsert the drain hose plug, close the panel, restore power and water.
7. Run a short rinse cycle and watch the area for leaks before you walk away.
What comes out tells you something
A trap full of pet hair means you should be washing pet bedding on its own and cleaning the trap more often. A trap full of grit means work clothes or sports gear are shedding soil that belongs in a pre-rinse. Coins and hardware mean pockets are not being checked, which is also the main cause of drum damage and torn door gaskets.
If the filter was packed solid, expect a noticeable improvement in drain speed and spin performance afterward. A clogged trap makes the pump work harder and can leave water standing in the drum.
How often to do it
Every one to three months for most households. Monthly if you have long-haired pets, wash a lot of towels and blankets, or run heavily soiled work clothing.
Pair it with the rest of the routine: clean the door gasket, clean the dispenser drawer, and run a hot tub cycle. Together those make up a full washing machine cleaning routine.
When cleaning is not the answer
If the machine still will not drain after the trap is clear, or the pump makes a grinding or humming noise with no water movement, or water leaks from under the cabinet rather than the hatch, stop. Those are repair symptoms, not cleaning ones. Whether to clean the washer or call for service walks through the triage.
FAQ
Does every washing machine have a filter?
No. Most front loaders and many newer high-efficiency top loaders have a drain pump filter. Older agitator top loaders often have none, sending lint out with the drain water instead. Check the manual for your specific model before you go looking for a hatch.
How much water comes out of a washer filter?
Usually somewhere between half a liter and two liters, depending on the model and whether the machine drained fully. Use a shallow pan rather than a bucket, keep towels down, and expect to empty the pan two or three times before the flow stops.
What happens if I never clean the drain pump filter?
Drain and spin performance drop, cycles take longer, clothes come out wetter, and the trap becomes a persistent odor source. In the worst case a hard object reaches the pump impeller and damages it, which turns a five minute cleaning job into a repair.
Can a clogged filter make my washer smell?
Yes, and it is one of the most common causes. The trap holds stagnant water and organic debris in a warm enclosure, which is ideal for the bacteria that produce sour and musty odors. Machines that smell after the gasket has been cleaned very often have a neglected trap.
Do I need to turn off the water to clean the filter?
Turning off the supply valves is a sensible precaution, though the essential step is cutting power at the plug or breaker so the machine cannot start a cycle while the trap is open. Never open the filter on a machine that is mid-cycle or full of water.
The filter cap will not unscrew. What now?
Do not force it with pliers, which cracks the housing. Check for a locking tab that must be pressed, and confirm you are turning counterclockwise. A cap seized by scale sometimes frees after a hot tub clean cycle. If it still will not move, it is a service call.
When the whole house is the problem rather than one task, recurring house cleaning services are the wider option.
Some laundry rooms are past the point where an afternoon fixes them. Every home is different, so the real number depends on size, condition, and what you want covered. Get a quote and we will walk you through it.