Stupid question about my washing machine?

[Magpie]

I was just reading that I should "clean out my lint filter" and check my "vent hose" to keep my washing machine from exploding into flames and burning the house down, or some such thing.

Except, the problem is, I don't see anything that looks like a "lint filter" on my machine. There's a place to put fabric softener in on the side, and another place in the middle where you're suppose to put in soap so it's evenly distributed (I never use it). Is it possible my washing machine doesn't have a lint filter? (That might explain all the lint on my clothes...)

Also, is the "vent hose" that big tube that comes out the back? And if so, do I just pull it off and look inside for... what? Fluff?

Has anyone done this? I've had this machine for about 14 years and I've never done anything with it other than wash clothes in it.

 

[FireDancer]

I was just reading that I should "clean out my lint filter" and check my "vent hose" to keep my washing machine from exploding into flames and burning the house down, or some such thing.

Except, the problem is, I don't see anything that looks like a "lint filter" on my machine. There's a place to put fabric softener in on the side, and another place in the middle where you're suppose to put in soap so it's evenly distributed (I never use it). Is it possible my washing machine doesn't have a lint filter? (That might explain all the lint on my clothes...)

Also, is the "vent hose" that big tube that comes out the back? And if so, do I just pull it off and look inside for... what? Fluff?

Has anyone done this? I've had this machine for about 14 years and I've never done anything with it other than wash clothes in it.

This is sound advice for a dryer not a washing machine.

 

[Magpie]

This is sound advice for a dryer not a washing machine.

Oh! So it's only meant for dryers? I don't have a dryer, so that's not a problem.

 

[momrek06]

I was just reading that I should "clean out my lint filter" and check my "vent hose" to keep my washing machine from exploding into flames and burning the house down, or some such thing.

Except, the problem is, I don't see anything that looks like a "lint filter" on my machine. There's a place to put fabric softener in on the side, and another place in the middle where you're suppose to put in soap so it's evenly distributed (I never use it). Is it possible my washing machine doesn't have a lint filter? (That might explain all the lint on my clothes...)

Also, is the "vent hose" that big tube that comes out the back? And if so, do I just pull it off and look inside for... what? Fluff?

Has anyone done this? I've had this machine for about 14 years and I've never done anything with it other than wash clothes in it.

Sweetie, what is the make and model of the machine? Can you get that info and then call the manufacturer of the machine ... like GE or WHIRLPOOL.

Because it is so important to clean out the lint filter after EACH load.


EDITED...oh you are talking about your WASHING machine.

 

[FireDancer]

Oh! So it's only meant for dryers? I don't have a dryer, so that's not a problem.

I have never seen a washing machine with a lint filter and they have a hose to drain the water, not a vent hose.

Dryers with blocked vent hoses can start fires but unless there is a problem with the electrical wiring in the washing machine I don't see how it would explode.

 

[Magpie]

Sweetie, what is the make and model of the machine? Can you get that info and then call the manufacturer of the machine ... like GE or WHIRLPOOL.

Because it is so important to clean out the lint filter after EACH load.

It's a washing machine. Kenmore 70 series, with a place to pour in "liquid chlorine bleach" and a "fabric softener dispenser". I just took another look at it and I still don't see any lint filter.

 

[LuvOrlando]

My grandmother's washer used to have a hose that would dump water into the slop sink. She had a pair of pantyhose on the end that would collect lint ect as the water filtered through. These days I see little cap shaped filters in stores for washers so there must still be some of these around but I don't think this advice is for the kind where the water goes directly into the sewer. Unless there is an access trap somewhere, but then that would be in the manual too wouldn't it?

 

[rlovew]

It's a washing machine. Kenmore 70 series, with a place to pour in "liquid chlorine bleach" and a "fabric softener dispenser". I just took another look at it and I still don't see any lint filter.

You won't- that is for dryers- not washers- so since you don't have 1 you won't ever find it. Have a great day!

 

[Magpie]

I have never seen a washing machine with a lint filter and they have a hose to drain the water, not a vent hose.

Dryers with blocked vent hoses can start fires but unless there is a problem with the electrical wiring in the washing machine I don't see how it would explode.

Oh good! Then I can scratch that one off my list of "middle-of-summer-cleaning" jobs.

The list I was looking at didn't indicate in any way that they were talking about a dryer, not a washing machine. So I was wondering where to find all these parts.

I'm not very good with machines... But at least I DO know to clean out the breadcrumbs in my toaster periodically. My mother used to set our toaster on fire every few months.

 

[MomofKatie]

My old washing machine (Kenmore, I think- it was new in the late 80's) had a lint filter. It was located where the water filled the tub. It pulled straight out of the faucet area- had a bunch of plastic "teeth" that caught lint. I cleaned it out about once a month. My new washing machine doesn't have one, though.

 

[moet7]

Is your washer a front load?
If it is then it most likely does have a filter that you need to clean.

 

[SaraJayne]

Is your washer a front load?
If it is then it most likely does have a filter that you need to clean.

My front load washer doesn't have a filter that I need to clean.

 

[NHdisneylover]

My front load washer doesn't have a filter that I need to clean.

Mine either. It is the second one I have owned and I have never heard of this I was so excited about the first one I read the manual cover to cover waiting for delivery so I am pretty sure I was not just ignorant of it.

 

[sunnyday123]

It's a washing machine. Kenmore 70 series, with a place to pour in "liquid chlorine bleach" and a "fabric softener dispenser". I just took another look at it and I still don't see any lint filter.

Do you have the manual?? Maybe google the type you, usually manuals are online also.

 

[Magpie]

Do you have the manual?? Maybe google the type you, usually manuals are online also.

Nope, my washing machine came with the house so no manual and I have no idea how old it is. But it's top loading and I went and peered at the place where the water comes out.

There's no lint trap where the water comes out, but there kind of seems like there might be a place for one - so maybe it got lost before we got moved in. In any case, I'm pretty sure all a missing trap would do is send the lint into my clothes (which are pretty lint-y anyway with lots of cats, a dog, and kids who can't remember to empty their pockets of Kleenex before dumping their clothes in the wash). That's what lint brushes are for!

I'm just happy to know that it's not going to start a fire!

 

[Sorsha]

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

If you have a front-load washing machine, you probably have a filter that needs to be cleaned out. You may not know this, it may not be in your manual - I swear it wasn't in mine - but if you google it, I bet you will find that this is the case.

After being advised of this by a friend, I did a little online research and discovered that my washer did, indeed have such a filter. This was a good 5 or so years after I had purchased it, and I swear I knew nothing about it. It was REALLY hard to get to - involving my husband and a screwdriver and removing the entire front lower panel of the washer. Once we discovered where the cursed thing was, it was obvious that it needed to be cleaned out though - it was SOOOO disgusting!! You would not believe the crap that was stuck in there, including the stub of a pencil and the leg of a barbie doll's pants!! Hairballs, lint, pet hair, green slime, eeeeeeuw!!! No wonder my washer had been putting up drain fault codes every once in a while!! I wonder how it had been working at all!!

Google the name, make and model number of your washer together with "lint trap" and see what you come up with...

 

[itsheresomewhere]

If you have a front loader, you have a in line drain filter. Pay someone to do it as it is a big pain in the butt. It has to be cleaned about every 5 years.

 

[dzorn]

Ours clogged when it was still under warranty. The repair man showed DH how to clean it out. The repair man said he thinks
they don't put it in the manual so you have to pay him to come out.


Denise in MI

 

[buckler]

My GE front loader has a pump filter that you can easily access through a little compartment door on the front of the machine. You pop the door open with a screwdriver and then you unscrew the filter to pull it out. You have to put a basin under it before you pull it out because water will come out with it. Then you clean the filter and replace it and close everything back up. This filter is designed to catch things that would otherwise clog up the pump (coins, buttons etc). My manual also suggests cleaning out the door gasket and the soap dispenser area.

 

[muffyn]

My front load washer doesn't have a filter that I need to clean.

mine does.
pia!
some weird things get stuck in there, like half a pencil once! paperclips, stones, change..etc.

there is also a small filter right at the end of the connecting hose that goes into the faucet. if you ever have to clean your kitchen faucet filter (where it sprays out) then you probably will need to chacek you washingmachine hose one too.