Home Tips for How to Clean a Washer Lint Trap

Clean your washer's lint trap once a week.

Just as dryers have a lint trap, so do washing machines. The grime from dirty clothes mixes with laundry detergent and water during a wash cycle. Most of the dirt and lint rinses out of the washing machine tub and down the drain, but some can stick to the sides of the tub or get trapped in small crevices on the agitator. To ensure the longevity of your washing machine, it is important to do regular maintenance, which includes cleaning the lint trap.

Things You'll Need

• Clean rag

Instructions

1. Locate the washer lint trap. Washing machines usually have visual instructions on them that show you where the lint trap is located. Look for lint on the agitator, along the rim of the washing machine and the drain hose. Wipe away any visible lint with a clean rag.

2. Remove the agitator tube and wipe away any lint found on the tube. If there is a lint trap by the agitator, remove the trap and peel away any lint found on it.

3. Check the sides of the washing machine basin for a lint trap. If you locate the lint trap there, pull it straight out of the washing machine and wipe away the lint with a clean rag.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the lint traps on your washing machine once a week to prevent washing machine mold and mildew.

• Use a toothbrush or other soft-bristled brush to scrap away stubborn lint.

• When replacing the lint traps, be sure to reattach them properly to prevent damaging the washing machine.

References

• Repair Clinic: Washing Machine Maintenance Tips

Resources

• Smelly Washer: Cleaning Lint From A Stinky Washer