How to clean the drain filter of an LG and Ariston washing machine

The first sign that your washing machine's drain filter is clogged is a failure in the washing program.

The specified algorithm is carried out correctly, during the spin cycle you hear the pump running and the water is discharged into the sewer, but the laundry remains wet. In this case, repeating the spin cycle does not give a positive result.

Statistics from household appliance repair shops show that every fifth call to the technicians regarding the failure of a washing machine relates to a banal clogged drain filter.

As a rule, the recommendations set out in the operating instructions for the models are not taken into account, and users are not aware of the presence of such a filter and the need for its preventive cleaning.

The drain filter prevents small debris, hair and wool from entering the drain, which are washed off with water from clothes during the washing process.

Most owners of washing machines consider the water purification function unnecessary, but manufacturers adhere to environmental standards and continue to produce models with a filter at the outlet of the unit.

The filter cannot be removed

The drain trap in washing machines is sometimes impossible to reach. There are a variety of situations: the handle does not turn, or the catcher is stuck in the socket and cannot be removed. This state of affairs is caused by the lack of regular or at least periodic maintenance (prevention) of the drainage unit.

If the drain filter does not unscrew, this can be explained by the presence of a foreign body or scale formed between the threads and the seal. Our experts offer to solve the problem step by step.

First, the blocked filter can be unscrewed using a carpenter's tool (pliers). Actions must be careful and unhurried. If the first method does not bring the desired result, cleaning can be done after removing the pump.

The procedure requires following the correct sequence of actions. In different models (brands), to start the activity you need to unfasten one of the walls of the device case (front, back). Next, you need to disconnect the wiring, unfasten the clamps connecting the volute to the pipe and flexible drain tube. Next you need to remove the hydraulic device with the snail. It is easier to clean the drain catcher through the holes of the drain pipe or pump (after disconnecting the pump from the volute).

Important! The option of cleaning the drain trap through a drain pump is quite complicated and requires specialized knowledge. To be confident in the quality of the events, it is recommended to trust them to professionals.

If all of the above operations are unsuccessful and the filter cannot be removed, perhaps you are doing something wrong or your machine has some kind of individual feature. Don't break anything, invite a specialist and he will solve your problem.

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How to clean equipment?

Tap water is often not suitable not only for eating, but also for washing. It contains a large number of impurities. Hard water leads to the formation of scale on the heating element and the washing machine tank. If drinking water is filtered in almost every apartment, then only a few cleaning elements are installed in front of the washing machine’s inlet hose.

If you do not promptly clean the SMA from deposits, a thick layer of scale will lead to failure of the heating element.

That is why it is important to periodically clean the automatic machine. It is allowed to use special household chemicals or use folk “recipes”. Regular washing of the washing machine with citric acid will reduce the likelihood of scale formation to a minimum. Everything is quite simple, you should regularly run a dry wash, after pouring 200 grams of lemon into the powder container. It is necessary to include a long-term program that heats water from 60°C.

After the end of the cycle, be sure to rinse the dust filter and powder receptacle. It may also be necessary to clean the sealing collar from pieces of “loose” scale. If the heating element is covered with a thick layer of scale, you can treat this particular element. To do this, the heater is removed from the machine and cleaned mechanically or using special components.

Preventing blockages

To reduce the risk of encountering blockages, it is necessary to take preventive measures. It is recommended to pay attention to the following:

1. You need to choose the best quality washing powder to use.
2. Before washing, clothes should be checked for hair, threads, coins or other small objects.
3. If you need to wash clothes that have small parts that can come off (for example, beaded jewelry), then they need to be placed in a special bag.

If the owner follows these preventive measures and regularly cleans the filter, he will ensure reliable and high-quality operation of the washing machine for many years.

The filter is leaking

The filter cleaning procedure must be completed by checking it to detect leaks. This phenomenon may not appear immediately, but after several washes. Why might an unfortunate leak occur?

Firstly, the filter may be installed incorrectly (unevenly, loosely). The catcher requires level installation, which will eliminate the possibility of movement along the thread. Fixing the filter should be characterized by tight, but at the same time neat tightening. The thread of the plastic part can be torn off if intense pressure is applied while screwing in the cap. The resulting leak, in this case, can be easily corrected by correcting distortions and tightening the fixation.

Secondly, manufacturing defects in consumables (gaskets). The tight fit of the drain catcher in the socket is ensured by a rubber gasket. Over time, it may become unusable (crack). Damage may occur after carelessly removing the filter or carrying out cleaning activities using sharp tools. Elimination of the defect is possible by changing the rubber seals (if commercially available) or completely replacing the filter.

And thirdly, a violation of the integrity of the thread or drain trap. The reason is incorrect, forced removal of the part or tightening of the plug. As a result of the applied efforts, the contact of the elements weakens, which causes the presence of a leak. The leak is eliminated by replacing one catcher or a kit in which a snail is added to the filter. In this case, it may be necessary to involve a specialist.

Cleaning the garbage filter

Masters working in specialized services carry out the cleaning procedure for the trap filter in several stages. First, the remaining water is drained, for which any convenient container or well-absorbent rag is used. You must carefully remove the filter on the Ariston washing machine by turning the drain plug counterclockwise. Rotation angle – 45-60 degrees. The next step is to unscrew the filter all the way and pull it out.

1. Cleaning and rinsing begins with the removal of large-sized debris (foreign objects, fabric substrate, etc.).
2. Next in line is a raid. You can remove it from the surface of the device with a sponge (dishware) that has an abrasive layer.
3. The complex measures are completed by the procedure of washing the device. For this purpose, running warm water is used.

It must be emphasized that washing under running boiling water is strictly prohibited. As a result of rash actions, deformation of the plastic, as well as loss of elasticity of the sealing gum, is possible.

Don’t forget to check and clean the slot in the machine in which the drain filter is installed. When getting rid of the remnants of various debris, it is worth taking time to free other parts from accumulated dirt, plaque and mold. A damp sponge is suitable for this. Upon completion of sanitary measures, it is required to install the technical device in the slot allocated to it. The plug is screwed in without distortion, tightly, neatly, clockwise.

The creators of Hotpoint Ariston advise organizing filter maintenance at intervals of two to four months. The main guideline for choosing a maintenance schedule should be the frequency of washing. Regular use requires more vigilant and frequent maintenance. As an example, we can take a large family with several children. In this case, a household washing machine that is turned on daily requires cleaning the garbage filter once a month.

Experts say that the type of fabric also affects the amount of preventative cleaning. Woolen and fleecy materials (flannel, flannel) are washed more often in the cold season. This type of matter, due to the abundance of tissue substrate (villus), serves as a source of serious and rapid clogging of the filter. Therefore, it is recommended to clean the drainage debris trap frequently.

In the case of washing pillows or down jackets, which are based on natural down and feathers, as well as other things that are a source of an abundance of debris that clogs the filter, it is recommended to carry out cleaning at the end of the specified program.

Means for removing dirt from the machine

Today on store shelves you can find various washing machine care products. Manufacturers offer compositions that prevent the appearance of scale, effectively remove plaque, and cope with mold and mildew. In addition to household chemicals, there are also folk remedies that have proven themselves to be effective in combating pollution.

It is important to use cleaning compositions strictly for their intended purpose; for this, before use, you should carefully study the principle of action of a particular substance. For example, the advertised Calgon will not remove scale, which some housewives expect from it, but will only soften the water and prevent the appearance of new deposits.

To get out of ignorance, let’s clarify how the individual components work and describe the purpose of various compositions for caring for the Ariston washing machine. First of all, we will analyze not household chemicals, but the so-called folk remedies, which have long been used by housewives for cleaning.

• Soda. Perfect for combating mold on the sealing collar of the SMA, effectively removes dirt. Using the substance, you can remove plaque from the walls of the powder receptacle.
• Lemon acid. The powder can be used to remove scale from the internal elements of the machine (heating element, tank, drum surface).

• Vinegar. The effect of its use is comparable to citric acid. Vinegar can also cope with another problem - an unpleasant, musty odor. After cleaning with vinegar, you need to run a rinse cycle so that its specific aroma also evaporates. Table vinegar should be used only when heavily soiled; it is also important to follow safety rules when working with acid.
• Copper sulfate. Copper sulfate will easily remove large areas of mold.
• White. It has long been used by people to disinfect washing machines and combat unpleasant odors. It is forbidden to pour chlorine-containing bleach, as this will only harm the equipment. If disinfection is absolutely necessary, it is better to give preference to compounds without chlorine.

If you evaluate the range of household chemicals, you can highlight the following products.

• Frisch-aktiv. Suitable for cleaning the drum surface from dirt and scale deposits.
• It will cope with unpleasant odors and destroy bacteria that have “settled” in washing equipment.
• A multifunctional product designed to wash the SMA drum, combat limescale, remove scale, and eliminate odors. In addition, the composition copes well with dirt and has a disinfecting effect.
• Magic Power. Country of origin: Germany. Focused specifically on the fight against scale.
• Topperr 3004. The product is recommended by the Bosh brand. Aimed at removing scale from the internal elements of washing machines.

• Luxus Professional. A solution with a lemon scent can be used to wash not only washing machines, but also dishwashers. Teapots can be cleaned using the composition. A universal product that quickly removes scale.
• Bork K8P is a powder from a Korean manufacturer designed specifically to combat solid deposits.
• Top House - can be used not only for cleaning washing machines, but also for eliminating deposits from heating elements of kettles, dishwashers, and coffee machines.
• Antiscale is an inexpensive and effective Russian remedy for removing scale.
• Sandokkaebi – disinfectant composition, country of origin – Korea.
• MultiDez-Teflex is a disinfectant. Suitable for cleaning automatic machines from bacteria, viruses and other harmful microorganisms.

The presented list is far from complete; you can find many other good detergent compositions on sale. When choosing a washing machine cleaner, be sure to study its purpose. For example, disinfectant liquid will not help remove scale.

Cleaning filter elements

To carry out the work, you need to prepare the following in advance:

• screwdriver;
• rag or low water container.

In order to service the filter, you need to do the following:

1. Before starting work, you need to disconnect the machine from the power supply.
2. It is necessary to shut off the flow of water into the tank.
3. On the front side below you can see a false panel that covers the filter. It needs to be removed. It is convenient to use a screwdriver for this. The lid is located on special latches. You can pry them off with a tool and release the false panel.
4. To perform further actions, you need to tilt the washing machine back slightly and place a rag prepared in advance under the filter hole. The machine is then returned to its original position.
5. The filter handle must be turned to the left by hand. After this, a little water will pour onto the prepared rag. The part must be removed from the housing.
6. You need to carefully inspect the filter and start cleaning it. First, remove dirt and small objects that are stuck here.
7. Rinse the part and wipe thoroughly with the hard side of the sponge. If there is clearly visible plaque on the filter and there is mold, then you can use citric acid to clean it. The filter can be placed in its solution and held for several minutes, then wiped off with the hard side of the sponge.
8. You need to inspect the hole where the filter was and wipe it with a damp sponge. In this case, you need to pay attention to the impeller. If threads or hair are wound around it, you need to remove them.

When cleaning is completed, the filter is inserted into place. It must be tightened carefully, without using excessive force. Otherwise, the threads may be stripped and the parts will have to be replaced.

Do not use hot water when cleaning. Its impact can lead to damage to plastic parts.

After the work is completed, you need to perform a check. To do this, the washing machine must be turned on in idle mode. You must make sure that there is no water leakage.

If it leaks, then one of the possible reasons is a sloppy filter. In this case, it must be unscrewed and then carefully replaced. Another common cause of leakage is a worn gasket. In such a situation, it needs to be replaced.

Preparation for the procedure

You should work in compliance with safety precautions, starting the cleaning procedure by disconnecting household appliances from the power supply and water supply. To make it easier to perform the necessary actions, in some cases it is necessary to move the machine, and doing this alone is quite difficult, since the equipment weighs a lot.

The next step is to discover where the filter is located. First you need to open the lid that covers this filter. It is necessary to dismantle the false panel located on the machine body in its lower part. If you cannot unclip the panel with your hands, you can pry it off with a tool: a screwdriver with a flat and wide tip or a knife with a rounded edge. There are models in which the lid can be opened by hand with minimal effort.

Attention! The HotpointAriston drain system always contains liquid that is pumped out of the tank. If you open the filter, the remaining water will drain out. It will simply spill out onto the floor.

Take care of a rag or a flat container in advance. They need to be installed under the body of the raised machine. There are models of washing machines that do not require moving the entire unit. This is explained by the gutter-shaped configuration of the hatch or the trap itself, due to which the remaining liquid in the system is carefully drained into a container placed in advance.

How to clean the filter in a top-loading washing machine?

How to remove the filter from a top loading machine:

1. Open the lid and then the drum doors.
2. Find the plastic part with the latch at the bottom of the drum.
3. Press the latch and remove the filter waste container.
4. Wash, if necessary, clean from fungus or plaque. Put it in place.

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Rules of care

In order to prevent the appearance of scale on important components and parts of the washing machine, there are several ways.

Since in the vast majority of cases, the cause of breakdowns lies in the hard water used and the salts contained in it, experts advise:

• Add water softeners or regular citric acid or Calgon descaling agent to the drum during washing;
• Soda ash should be added to the water periodically. Its molecules, combining with the salts contained in the water, will not allow scale to form;
• Washing at low or medium temperatures prevents scale from forming on the heating element. It is better to wash the remaining stains on things by hand without exposing the machine to the risk of breakdown;
• It is not recommended to wash old items, since the fluff and small particles separated from them settle on the walls of the drum and contribute to the appearance of lime deposits on the heater and on machine components. Such items should be washed by hand or in a special bag;

• It is advisable to pre-soften the water, for which it is recommended to install water softeners at the entrance to the machine;

Following expert advice will help extend the life of your washing machine and prevent the formation of plaque and unpleasant odors.

What to do if the filter does not unscrew

Sometimes the filter is very clogged and cannot be unscrewed by hand. In this case, you need to try to put in more effort. If you can’t untwist it with your hands, then you can try using a towel. If even then it doesn’t work, you can use pliers. They must be used in such a way as not to damage the filter.

In some situations, it may help if you tap lightly on the case. This may cause one of the small objects inside to move, preventing you from unscrewing the filter.

If none of the proposed methods leads to the desired result, then you need to dismantle the pump.

Signs of a blockage

Sometimes you can recognize the need for cleaning by certain signs. If they exist, it is necessary to take the necessary measures. It is important to pay attention to the following:

1. If washed items acquire an unpleasant odor. This is usually caused by a severely clogged drain filter.
2. The rate of water drainage slows down significantly.
3. Built-in diagnostics display the corresponding error code.

If these signs are present, the filter should be cleaned as soon as possible. Otherwise, the risk of machine breakdown increases.