You'll need to open the latch on the side of your washing machine, empty the water in the small black hose, then twist the filter counterclockwise to remove it. By clicking "I agree" or by clicking into any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. The mesh catches all of the lint coming out of the washer so that it doesn't go down your drain and cause clogs. Fill the washing machine and drain it with no clothes in it to make sure you fixed the drainage issue. ", "Following your directions, I used the snake and everything flows great now. X When this happens, cleaning out the drain pipe is the solution. Then you want to clean the seal. Copyright © 2021 Vacuum Cleaners Advisor. Check and clean the filter monthly or weekly depending on how Be sure to rinse out the drain cleaner after the specified amount of time. How to remove your washing machine dispenser drawer. As you can see, A. Remember that some water will likely come out of the machine and the hose when you detach the hose, so have a bucket ready and some towels laid down. Use a rag and a solution of one part vinegar and one part water. This is so because clogs form over a period of time. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. % of people told us that this article helped them. The hot and cold w… You can clean a washing machine drain using chemicals or manually. Dive in! 30px 15px 30px;box-shadow:2px 2px 6px #000;border-radius:15px;border:1px Some strong products that contain sulfuric acid can actually damage PVC pipes and they are generally not good for the environment as well. How to load your washing machine. The blockage can come from one of three areas, a clogged filter in the machine itself, a blocked hose from the machine to the wall outlet pipe, or a blocked wall outlet pipe. Use the correct detergent to prevent the buildup of soap residue. Carefully check for foreign objects in the pump. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. When your device’s water drainage pipe has been separated from the cleaning machine device, there is an extra drain hose to remove from the pipe. But if you have a partial clog, this will do just fine. The drain will soon start flowing as it should if just follow our process. [1] X Research source The power must be turned off while you’re working on the washing machine so you d… Clean & maintain. Washing machines can have some problems, such as clogged or slow draining drains. In areas that freeze during the winter, drainage pipes can freeze and get blocked up with ice. Kindly let us know your experience. Mould and bacteria can fester in the rubber seal around the door hole. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 256,824 times. Cleaning a washing machine doesn't just involve cleaning … Last Updated: November 5, 2020 Contact us; If none of the above methods work and you can't get rid of the bad drain smell, you should … Soap residue, fabric lint, grease and oil from the clothes you wash, etc. You ever run a tap (sink) and get a smell come up from the drains? 30px 15px 30px;box-shadow:2px 2px 6px #000;border-radius:15px;border:1px Clean your washing machine hoses and drainpipe regularly. As it goes down, turn the handle clockwise anytime you feel a clog, which will grab the debris and allow you to pull it out. Like, With some hot water: Medium-length snakes that are about 50 to 75 feet (15 to 23 m) long tend to work well for home owners working on a variety of clogs, as they can get clogs pretty far down a pipe but they are easier to work with than longer, bigger snakes. There are many ways to clean the drain pipe. The hose is sometimes attached tightly to the drain or the hose may simply be pushed inside of it. "DC" means Drum Clean there should be a programme for this. 1. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Use an industrial, acid based drain cleaner to clear the drain. Preventive measures To reduce the chances of a clogged drain pipe or discharge hose, use a garment or lint bag during the wash whenever possible. Washing machines are a true time-saver--most of the time. [1] Is there something you can buy that you can put through the washing machine that will also clean the pipes when you drain it? So, if you do any of these processes often, you will probably not have the issue of a clogged drain in the first place. If you run your washer on hot most of the time, then this may not work for your drainage problem, as you have been doing this repeatedly. For more help, like how to clean your washing machine drain with a commercial cleaner, scroll down. With over 13 years of experience, Gevorg specializes in residential and commercial appliance repairs as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) services. "I didn't know it was safe to use Drano in the draining pipe from my washing machine to the wall until I read here, "I wasn't sure if I could use regular drain cleaner, so this was very helpful for me so that I don't have to call in, "I now know how to clean the drain. It might be a clog in the main line. Test the flow of water through the outlet pipe while the hose is disconnected. Cleaning guide for washing machine drain pipe. Dimensions (WHD): 27 1/2 in. Turn off the power and unplug the washing machine. Put on rubber gloves and place a large container or bucket beneath the p-trap. Will it damage the pump? are often the cause of clogs. Fixing a rotten egg smell coming from your washing machine: This one requires a little elbow grease. To find out more or to change your cookie settings, visit the cookies section of our privacy policy. X 27 in. Before calling a plumber, check that the discharge hose is still inserted into the drain pipe: It’s possible that it has become pulled out of the drain pipe. Cleaning the Pipes Locate the obstruction. These cookies do not store any personal information. Clean out any blockage inside the pipe with a plumber’s snake. ", "Educated me on the care and feeding of washer drains. As you turn the handle you may want to move the snake a little in and out of the pipe. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If that’s the case, you can try this alternative. Expert Interview. To clean a washing machine drain pipe regularly is best practice. Before you remove the drain hose from the standpipe, you should first make sure that the washing machine is turned off. Running hot water down the drain of your washing machine helps to clear clogs that are either partial or not too stubborn, such as those caused due to the buildup of soap residue inside the drain pipe. For instance, those that contain sulfuric acid can damage PVC pipes. Push the tip of the coil down into the drain and continually push until you reach the blockage. For stubborn clogs, push a plumbing snake down the drain. Step 1 – Remove the drain hose. If it’s accessible, inspect and clean your washer’s lint trap or filter. Once we are clear with the water outlet of the washing machine, then it’s time to look at the drainpipe whether it is clogged or not. So, it’s important to know which one you will get. How to Clean a Front-Loading Washing Machine Drain Before you start draining anything, you’ll want to grab a shallow a bucket to collect the water that may still be in the machine’s drain. Gevorg holds a BS in Business Administration and Management from California State University-Northridge. .amalinkspro-cta-wrap.cta-id-0 .amalinkspro-cta-btn{font-family:;font-size:18px;color:#FFF !important;text-shadow:2px 2px 3px #000;padding:15px Usually the drain of a washing machine is a pipe behind the machine that the hose on the machine pours into. Appliance Repair Expert. If you use it often enough, you will eventually have to clean your washing machine drain at some point. Thank you. ", "I've been fighting drain problems; thanks for the help.". If your area is frozen and you think you have a clogged drain, try pouring hot water down the drain to get rid of any ice that may have accumulated. After my load goes through all the cycles, instead of saying "Off" it says "DC", and my clothes are still sogging wet. Yes, Drano works just as well in a washer drain. You can now unscrew the pump cover. With the clog gone, reattach the hose to the machine and run the machine with no clothes in it to make sure it’s fixed and there are no leaks. Just make sure you run another load of water before you put laundry in your washing machine. What do I do if my front loader washing machine won't rinse and spin? First, for a front-load washer, pull back the rubber seal and check for anything that might have gotten trapped. If you are doing this, be prepared for some water to come out of the machine and the hose to the drain. To check if the drain is clear, pour some water down the pipe. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. In order to fix this problem, you will need to clean out the drainage pipe. Surprisingly, this is a prevalent problem among washing machine users, so you shouldn’t be too concerned. We hope these tips will solve your issue. After this cleaning process, run the washing machine in the rinse cycle for better cleaning. Leaving it on too long can damage the pipes. Can I pour drain cleaner down the wall pipe of my washing machine? Wpro Limescale and Grease Remover. However, you will need to wash this lint catcher regularly to keep the water flowing out of your washer easily. Just make sure the drain pipe itself is the problem with your washer to avoid extra work in the long run. Gevorg Grigorian is an Appliance Repair Specialist and the Owner of G and R Appliance Repair in Los Angeles, California. Hot Water. Remove the pipe carefully and empty smelly water and gunk into the bucket. How can I fix this? What is wrong and how can I fix it? Place a towel underneath it in case any remaining water runs out. For more help, like how to clean your washing machine drain with a commercial cleaner, scroll down. We have affiliate relationships with the providers (Amazon, Clickbank, etc) of the products, goods and services that are linked to on this page and may be compensated when you buy. How to clean a smelly washing machine. If it’s a partial clog, water will still flow through albeit slowly. When buying a commercial drain cleaner, be sure to get one that is safe to use with your specific type of pipes and your type of drainage system. When identifying where the drain is, you will need to differentiate it from the hot and cold water lines coming into the washer. If it is fully clogged, on the other hand, only trickles or no water will flow. Gevorg Grigorian. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Clean the seal. This hose is commonly where washing device drain pipe clogging takes place, working as the primary link between your washing device and house pipes system. X 42 in. This will help the snake to grab onto any debris in the pipe and pull it free. The hot and cold water lines should be smaller than the drain pipe and they may be marked with the colors red and blue, to show which is hot and which is cold. To clear a clog from a washing machine, try unhooking the drain pipe and pouring hot water down the drain to release the soap and scum.