I think I'm doing adulthood wrong.

[saraandmichael]

This morning I learned that there is a filter that you are supposed to clean on the washing machine.

So I went to clean it and holy fucking shit, it is gross!

I have had this washer for three years and I have never cleaned the filter.

I guess I will actually need to read manuals for appliances from now on.

[runforrest]

Well I'll be damned.

I also did not know this.

[eddy]

Well I am failing too. Is this just on newer washers or all of them?

[Deleted]

Yeah, I didn't know. I guess I will be looking for one tomorrow.

[papie]

Really? On all washers? I've also never heard of that, lol

[pinkplasticdoll]

Um please inform us where this is because we uhh (I) don't know anything about this filter.

[saraandmichael]

I have a front loader...I don't know if there is one on the other kind.

[Deleted]

So...where is the filter? How do you get it out?

[mommyneedswine]

Seriously, a filter. This is too much. But I know I'll be tearing apart the washer to find it because it will now bug me to no end.

[papie]

Jan 11, 2013 10:29:58 GMT -5 saraandmichael said:

I have a front loader...I don't know if there is one on the other kind.

Fuck. I wash diapers in there. I think I'd rather not know and stay here in lalaland where my washer doesn't get dirty.

[saraandmichael]

also, it is on the bottom of the washer. you open that little box looking thing and there is a little drain hose and then the filter that you screw out.

drain everything first, then do the filter.

[firedancer49]

Well, I must be doing it wrong too.

The last time my MIL was at my house I went to the basement to do laundry. She came down with me b/c I had complaining that it was shaking a bit during the cycle and I couldn't figure out why. So we start moving the thing around seeing if it is off balance. We couldn't figure it out, but she then going "wow, this is really dirty! Go get me x,y,z" and then she started to clean it. I felt bad (who the hell knew you were supposed to do half that crap) so I did most of it at her direction. But I must have missed the part where there is a filter. And, my washer is still uneven and I have to adjust the drum each time or it sounds like I am washing boulders.

[pantsparty]

The filter? Is this different than the lint screen?

I'm definitely doing adulthood wrong.

[blueshirt2003]

Say what?

[Deleted]

You have come to the right board!

[firedancer49]

Well whatdoya know - top loaders:

Step1
Find your lint trap. Lint traps in washing machines can be in the agitator (the large plastic piece in the center of the tub), at the top of the washer on the rim of the tub, or attached to the washing machine's drainage hose.

Step2
Pull out the agitator tube to check for the lint trap. Peel any loose lint from the filter. Scrub away lint that doesn't peel off easily with a heavy-duty paper towel or a wet sponge.

Step3
Feel your way around the top rim of the washing machine's basin. If you locate a trap, pull it straight out of the machine. Peel away loose lint and follow up with a wet sponge or heavy-duty paper towel.

Step4
Check your machine's drainage hose for an attached lint trap. Gently remove the trap and peel the top layer of lint off. Rinse the trap in low-pressure, warm water. Reattach to the drainage hose.

Step5
Check for and remove any lint or debris that may have dropped into the washing machine basin during the cleaning process.
____________________

Clean your lint trap every few loads or at least once a week to preserve the life of your washing machine.

Consider purchasing a lint trap if your washing machine doesn't already have one. They can add years to the life of your washer.

Make sure you have reattached the lint trap properly. Loose lint traps, especially those in the agitator, can lead to a broken washer.

[Deleted]

oh yeah, that filter. i clean it all the time!

[eddy]

I am going to send this to my husband and make him do this. You lost be at finding tubes and taking things off of them. I would 100% fuck this up.

[eddy]

Ugh and the worst part is our washer was used by the people who we bought the house from. SO we are going to find their filth in there as well. I am sure of it. hurl

[saraandmichael]

Jan 11, 2013 10:40:13 GMT -5 cjoy said:

I found this out the hard way when our washer stopped working and I had to dismantle it and fish out a handful of hair, lint, and $3 in change.

i fear this is in my future...i was trying to swoop out gunk and felt a bulge in the rubber part, but i haven't got the energy to deal with it right now.

[cheeseandcrackers]

Say what? I did not know this. lol

[sawyerthedestroyer]

Jan 11, 2013 10:37:25 GMT -5 firedancer49 said:

Well whatdoya know - top loaders:

Step1
Find your lint trap. Lint traps in washing machines can be in the agitator (the large plastic piece in the center of the tub), at the top of the washer on the rim of the tub, or attached to the washing machine's drainage hose.

Step2
Pull out the agitator tube to check for the lint trap. Peel any loose lint from the filter. Scrub away lint that doesn't peel off easily with a heavy-duty paper towel or a wet sponge.

Step3
Feel your way around the top rim of the washing machine's basin. If you locate a trap, pull it straight out of the machine. Peel away loose lint and follow up with a wet sponge or heavy-duty paper towel.

Step4
Check your machine's drainage hose for an attached lint trap. Gently remove the trap and peel the top layer of lint off. Rinse the trap in low-pressure, warm water. Reattach to the drainage hose.

Step5
Check for and remove any lint or debris that may have dropped into the washing machine basin during the cleaning process.
____________________

Clean your lint trap every few loads or at least once a week to preserve the life of your washing machine.

Consider purchasing a lint trap if your washing machine doesn't already have one. They can add years to the life of your washer.

Make sure you have reattached the lint trap properly. Loose lint traps, especially those in the agitator, can lead to a broken washer.

[pollyprissypants]

Jan 11, 2013 10:49:14 GMT -5 sawyerthedestroyer said:

Jan 11, 2013 10:37:25 GMT -5 firedancer49 said:

Well whatdoya know - top loaders:

Step1
Find your lint trap. Lint traps in washing machines can be in the agitator (the large plastic piece in the center of the tub), at the top of the washer on the rim of the tub, or attached to the washing machine's drainage hose.

Step2
Pull out the agitator tube to check for the lint trap. Peel any loose lint from the filter. Scrub away lint that doesn't peel off easily with a heavy-duty paper towel or a wet sponge.

Step3
Feel your way around the top rim of the washing machine's basin. If you locate a trap, pull it straight out of the machine. Peel away loose lint and follow up with a wet sponge or heavy-duty paper towel.

Step4
Check your machine's drainage hose for an attached lint trap. Gently remove the trap and peel the top layer of lint off. Rinse the trap in low-pressure, warm water. Reattach to the drainage hose.

Step5
Check for and remove any lint or debris that may have dropped into the washing machine basin during the cleaning process.
____________________

Clean your lint trap every few loads or at least once a week to preserve the life of your washing machine.

Consider purchasing a lint trap if your washing machine doesn't already have one. They can add years to the life of your washer.

Make sure you have reattached the lint trap properly. Loose lint traps, especially those in the agitator, can lead to a broken washer.

I die!

[Deleted]

Wow...I did not know this.

[no0b]

OMG I did not know this. You know what? I share a washer and dryer with other people in my building and each unit has a dog. OMG the thought of pulling out clumps of hair that are not my own is just gagworthy.

[murdock]

Gah!! This is the first thing I'm doing when I get home!

Thanks for the info!

[rex]

Maybe that's why my clothes come out of the washer all linty...

You shouldn't have to clean things that do the cleaning.

Adulthood is hard.

[isabel]

Ew Ew Ew. I am so scared to do this. We've lived in this rental for 3 years. I've never cleaned this trap. Pretty sure the people before us didn't clean it either. *rocks back and forth*

[Kore]

They really need to make this more obvious, like the lint traps in dryers. They must not want people to clean them, so they fuck up their machines faster. Conspiracy!!

[lilafowler]

Add me to the list-guess what I'll be doing tonight?