Our washing machine is making a funny noise and doesn’t empty properly

Problem

Your washing machine, which used to work OK, is making a funny noise and/or not emptying completely.

Likely cause

Something is blocking the washing machine’s filter. It could be a coin from someone’s pocket, or just many years’ of accumulated muck.

What you can do

  1. Get a newspaper or cloth to put down to catch any water that may come out at step 2.
  2. Unscrew the round cover you will find near the bottom. (See picture below.)
  3. Pull it out slowly.
  4. Clean out the plastic cage that has caught all the muck.
  5. If you don’t have a built-in washing machine, see below.

Cleaning a washing machine filter

Extra tips

All washing machine manufacturers recommend that you clean the filter once a week!

If you have a stand-alone washing machine, the procedure will be similar but access to the filter is usually behind a flap or cover of some kind. On rare occasions the filter is at the back and you will need to pull the machine out to get to it – but check the front first.

If this does not work

You will probably need to call a washing machine repair person.