Washing machine lint filter: how to clean it effectively step by step

Your washing machine is running right now; everything sounds normal, but suddenly it stops in the middle of the cycle. An error message is flashing. There are no available service appointments, but your laundry is sitting wet in the drum. The good news: You can fix the problem yourself in 5–10 minutes, and it’s even easier to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Our blog post shows you, step by step, how regularly cleaning your lint filter can help you avoid washing machine and pump problems—and thus prevent costly repairs, save energy, and, in the best-case scenario, avoid having to call a service technician right from the start.

What exactly does the lint filter in the washing machine do?

The lint filter—or, more precisely, the pump filter, also known as a foreign object trap or small item trap—is located between the wash drum and the drain pump, usually hidden behind a flap in the lower right corner. It catches everything that comes loose from clothing during a wash cycle, such as lint, hair, tissue remnants, coins, as well as hair ties, buttons, screws, or sand from your last day at the beach. Without this component, all these items would reach the drain pump and eventually clog it. And if the lint filter is clogged, the machine can no longer drain the wash water.

The resulting consequences range from inconvenient to costly:

• After washing, the laundry smells musty and isn't clean.
• Lint accumulates on freshly washed clothes.
• The spin cycle no longer runs through completely.
• The machine stops the wash cycle and displays an error message.
• In the worst-case scenario, water will leak out and damage the drain pump or the appliance itself.

Where is the lint filter on my washing machine, and how do I open it?

On almost all front-loading washing machines, the lint filter is located at the front bottom, behind a small door. Depending on the model, it’s on the left or right side, below the porthole. On top-loading machines, however, the lint filter is often located in the base area or even inside the machine. On most washing machine models, this flap can be easily opened with your finger; on others, a flathead screwdriver is required. If in doubt, check the owner’s manual—which is often available online by entering the manufacturer and model number—since some manufacturers even include a special tool for opening the flap.

Special case for some models: Some newer washing machines have two doors. The larger one houses the liquid detergent dispenser, while the smaller one holds the lint filter.

How to Clean a Washing Machine's Lint Filter: Quick & Easy, Explained Step by Step

It doesn't take much for a lint filter to get clogged. That's why you should clean your washing machine's lint filter regularly to prevent clogs, drainage problems, and unnecessary breakdowns. Cleaning usually takes only 5 to 10 minutes and can be done without any special knowledge.

Below, you'll learn how regularly cleaning your lint filter can reliably prevent problems with your washing machine and pump.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Cleaning the Washing Machine Filter

Here's what you'll need to clean your washing machine filter (you probably already have most of these items at home):

• A shallow bowl or deep baking sheet to catch the water
• At least one old, thick towel
• An absorbent cleaning cloth
• An old toothbrush or hand brush
• A pair of scissors, in case hair or threads have gotten tangled around the strainer
• Depending on the model, you may need a flathead screwdriver or the manufacturer's tool provided
• You may want to wear gloves; the water is often dirty and can be hot.

Here's how to clean the lint filter in 10 easy steps:

1. Safety First: First, please turn off the washing machine and unplug it.
2. Open the flap: Either fold it out or hook it in place on the side with your fingernail.
   ➤ Some models require a slotted screwdriver for this
3. Make preparations: Spread out a towel and place a shallow bowl directly under the opening.
4. Empty the drain hose first: If there is a small drain hose next to the strainer, first remove it from its holder, open the cap, and let the water drain completely into the bowl.
   ➤ This significantly reduces the gush of water when you unscrew it. If you skip this step, you’ll often end up with a bigger problem.
5. Unscrew the lint filter: Slowly turn the strainer counterclockwise. As soon as the strainer is no longer tight, water will start to leak out.
6. Cleaning the lint filter: Remove large foreign objects by hand. If hair or threads have become tangled around the filter, use scissors to cut them loose. Then rinse the filter under lukewarm running water. Use a toothbrush to loosen stubborn deposits.
   ➤ A drop of dish soap speeds up cleaning when there’s a greasy buildup.
7. Wipe down the strainer channel: To do this, clean the cavity in the washing machine where the filter is located with a cloth as well. A flashlight may help you spot any foreign objects inside more easily.
8. Check the sealing ring: Carefully check the black rubber ring that runs around the filter for cracks, nicks, or breaks. This ring ensures that no water leaks out. If it is damaged, the lint filter must be replaced—not just cleaned.
   ➤ Replacement parts are usually available at specialty stores or online for just a few francs.
9. Insert the lint filter and tighten it: Reinsert the strainer, making sure it is clean, and turn it clockwise until it is securely in place, then close the flap.
10. Check for leaks: Plug the machine back in, run a short rinse cycle without any laundry, and then quickly check the door.
    ➤ No water leaked out? Then everything is fine.

How often should you clean the lint filter in your washing machine?

The clear answer to this is: It depends on your household. As a rule of thumb, you should clean your washing machine’s lint filter every three to six months. If you like to stick to a set schedule, doing it twice a year when the clocks change is an easy-to-remember benchmark.

Every six months is sufficient if:

• The machine runs once or twice a week
• mainly everyday laundry is washed
• There are no pets in the household

Recommended every two to three months if:

• the machine is used frequently and intensively, for example, in families with children
• If you have dogs or cats in your household, pet hair clogs the strainer much more quickly
• Textiles that shed a lot of lint, such as towels, blankets, or woolen items, should be washed regularly
• People with long hair live in the household

Clean immediately after the wash cycle if:

• Cleaning rags, gardening clothes, or heavily soiled work clothes were washed
• Laundry with oil stains should not be put in the washing machine, because oil causes hair and small items to clump together and can block the pump during the next wash cycle.
• Sand, dirt, or other coarse particles in the laundry were

What happens if you don't clean the lint filter?

What many people don't know: According to an analysis by a leading washing machine manufacturer, up to 70% of all washing machine breakdowns are due to a lack of maintenance. A clogged lint filter is the most common single cause.

There's no need for tedious lint filter cleaning: Here's how to prevent it in the long run with just a few simple steps

If you want to clean the lint filter as infrequently as possible, you can go a long way by adopting a few simple habits.

• Empty your pockets: Before every wash cycle, check all pants and jacket pockets for coins, tissues, hair ties, and other small items. Doing this alone will prevent a large number of potential clogs.
• Use laundry bags: Underwire bras, clothing with sequins, rhinestones, or detachable parts should always be placed in a laundry bag. That way, small parts will stay inside the bag even if they happen to come loose.
• Removing pet hair: Remove pet hair before washing by using a lint roller or briefly shaking out the clothes. Otherwise, the filter will become clogged within weeks, especially during shedding season.
• Do not overload the washer: A drum that is too full increases the strain on the fibers and causes more lint to come off. Filling it to 2/3 capacity is ideal.

The lye pump is happy, and it also noticeably reduces the effort required in everyday life.

What the lint filter Can't Do & What Still Ends Up in the Wastewater During Washing

Many people assume that the lint filter traps even the tiniest particles. That’s not true. Unfortunately, the claim that a washing machine’s lint filter filters out microplastics remains a widespread misconception. The mesh or filtration devices aren’t fine enough to trap the microfibers that are released when synthetic textiles are washed. These particles are smaller than one millimeter and end up in the wastewater unfiltered. So if you’re washing synthetic clothing, you can use a special laundry bag to trap a large portion of the microfibers.

While tackling microplastics in clothing generally requires different approaches—such as consciously choosing natural fibers—you can still easily reduce the strain on your washing machine in your daily routine.

At the same time, you can also reduce your environmental footprint by using plastic-free and enzymatic laundry solutions such as our bluu snO₂ white Oxi White Booster to tackle odors and stubborn stains on white laundry, or our eco-friendly One-for-all bluu laundry strips, which work for all temperatures and fabrics. These aren’t just sustainable—they’re also incredibly convenient: They’re easy to use, pre-measured, take up hardly any space, and save you the hassle of lugging around heavy detergent bottles.

CONCLUSION: Cleaning the washing machine's lint filter: 5–10 minutes that will save you a lot of hassle and money

As you’ve now seen, cleaning your washing machine’s lint filter really isn’t rocket science. But it is one of the few maintenance tasks that’s truly worth the effort. By investing just five minutes every three to six months—using our step-by-step guide, tips, and advice—you’ll noticeably extend the life of your machine. A clean lint filter keeps your laundry fresh and helps you avoid unnecessary repairs that can quickly take a big bite out of your wallet.

With the right routines and the right care products, your machine will remain reliable over the long term.

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