What is this for on my washing machine??

zudecke

Hi guys,

My clothes have been smelling rather stale after washes these days and while I've tried soda crystals and white vinegar, which usually refreshes stuff for a while, it seems it is having little-to-no-effect these days.

Some people advised me to clean the lint filter.. I never have done in 1.5 years as the washing machine is built into the kitchen and a lot more hassle to get to.

Today, I decided to get it done and alas, it only took me 60 seconds to get access to the bottom of the machine. However, I have now idea what a lint filter is.

I have attached 2 photos of a component at the bottom that when unscrewed releases water... Not sure how much as I;m scared to open it all the way it's awkward to put a bowl under it, given how close to the floor it is.

Appreciate any help.

Regards,

Z

martinthebandit

Looks like a lint filter to me, give it a twist and pull it out, there will be water come out of it, but not too much, put a towel down or something and it should be fine

(probably)

aliasojo

Yip, that's the filter. You'd be surprised how much water can come out.

Suggest you put a couple of black bags down on the floor and especially over the edge of the laminate and then a thick towel on top. The towel will soak up the water and the plastic bags will stop it seeping through into your floor. Don't panic when you see the water coming out. It's usually just a short initial gush that will stop in a second.

beabea81

You can empty the majority of the residual water out using the hose next to the filter. Keep the hose as low as pssible and allow it to empty into a bowl (you may have to recap the hose and empty the bowl quite a lot due to the low level) when the hose will not release anymore water you can open the filter and nothing more than a few spoonfuls (if that) will be left.

I have found that when the filter is full of water it's usually a good indicator that there is a soc or some other such item stuck in it! If there is and there is a lot of residual water int he machine this could well explain the smell

HTH x x x

zudecke

Thanks guys..

I took it out and it wasn't so bad!

However, there is nothing to clean.. it doesn't seem dirty at all and there is certainly no clothing "lint", fluff or any material anywhere.. How is it advised I clean this thing?

Also, shall I clean inside the hole it came from?

lastly, does anyone know where the circular disc came from in the photo below or what it is etc? :S



Thanks again.

WestonDave

The circular disc looks suspiciously like a corroded coin! Unless it is rubber and a seal from somewhere it definitely doesn't belong in that part of the machine, and even if it is rubber I'd still suspect it is something from a pocket that has found its way that far into the machine and then got stuck. Is it rigid or flexible?

aliasojo

Have you run the machine empty on a 90 degree wash?

zudecke

haha.. Wow.. I feel stupid.. having read your comment I went and checked again (i put it to soak in white vin) and IT IS indeed a 10p coin!!

Perhaps that was what was causing the bad smell??!!

zudecke

Is it recommended now that I've cleaned everything to do another 90 degree vinegar wash?

aliasojo

Never used vinegar but I know people do. I use a small amount of soap powder and a squirt of bleach.

sunshinetours

Use a cheap bio washing powder and run it empty on hottest wash to do a maintenance wash and do this every month or two if using the machine a lot