How to Clean a Top Load Washer Filter

On this page (9 sections)

1. Where is the filter on a top load washer?
2. What should you gather before you start?
3. How to clean top load washer filter in five steps
4. How often should you clean the filter?
5. What else should you wipe while the filter is out?
6. How do you keep the screen clean longer?
7. Which products help between filter cleanings?
8. What should you do if cleaning doesn't fix the problem?
9. The short version

Here's how to clean a top load washer filter: pull the filter out, rinse it under warm water, and set it back flat. On most top load washers it sits at the bottom of the drum, around the agitator or under a removable cap, so you need an empty drum and about five minutes.

A clean screen keeps lint and grit from recirculating onto clothes and helps the drain keep up with each cycle.

The steps below assume the filter is reachable from inside the drum. If your model has no removable screen, the care routine still matters, but the cleaning job is a drum and tub wipe instead of a filter lift.

Where is the filter on a top load washer?

Look in the drum first, around the base of the agitator or under a removable cap. Many top load models put a lint filter where the wash plate meets the drum, and some hide it behind a slotted cover you lift or twist off.

The screen or mesh basket collects lint, hair and small debris before it can head toward the drain. On machines with a removable filter, the manual usually shows a diagram of the exact spot and the release direction.

Check the manual before you pull, because some filters twist and others lift straight up.

If you see no screen at all, your washer may use a self-cleaning lint system. That's common on high-efficiency models and is normal, not a missing part.

For comparison, do all front load washers have a filter covers how the front load design handles lint differently.

What should you gather before you start?

An empty drum, a soft brush, warm water and a towel cover the job. Add a shallow bowl if the filter sits deep, and keep a flashlight handy for a dark drum.

• A soft nylon brush or an old toothbrush for mesh and slots
• Warm water in a spray bottle or bowl
• A lint-free cloth or towel
• A small bowl to catch debris
• Rubber gloves if the filter is slimy

Skip abrasive pads and strong solvents. A soft brush loosens lint without scratching the plastic, and warm water breaks down detergent film better than a dry wipe.

The Kenmore 4.4 Cu Ft Top Load Washer with Agitator ships with two filters, so there's a spare if one gets damaged during cleaning. The kenmore 4.5 cu ft top load washer review covers the same style of drum and how its parts fit together.

How to clean top load washer filter in five steps

Remove, rinse, scrub, inspect and replace is the order that works. Run the machine empty first so the drum is clear and nothing snags on the agitator.

1. Unplug the washer or switch it off at the control, then open the lid.
2. Find the filter at the drum base and release it as the manual describes.
3. Rinse the screen under warm water and brush out trapped lint and grit.
4. Check the housing and drain area for debris, then wipe the rim.
5. Set the filter back flat and locked, then run a short rinse cycle.

Don't reach into the drum with a tool while the machine has power. If the filter sits under a cap, lift the cap gently so the clips don't crack.

Once the screen is clean, a rinse cycle flushes loose particles out of the drum.

How do you remove a stuck filter?

Soften the residue first instead of forcing the part. Warm water poured over the screen for a few minutes loosens detergent film and matted lint that can glue the filter in place.

Twist counterclockwise or lift as your manual shows. Stop if the plastic flexes sharply; a cracked filter clips into the drum and can jam the wash plate.

If it still won't move after soaking, contact the maker's support rather than prying with a screwdriver.

How do you clean a filter that sits under the agitator?

Take the cap or center piece off first, then lift the screen. On many agitator models the filter is a mesh basket under the top cap, so the cap comes off before the screen does.

Rinse the basket from the inside out so lint doesn't push deeper into the mesh. A soft brush works along the slots, and warm water clears the film.

If the cap has a soft-close lid nearby, keep the lid from dropping on your hands while you work.

How often should you clean the filter?

Every 1 to 3 months suits most households, and more often with heavy lint loads. Pet bedding, work clothes and towels shed more fiber, so the screen fills faster.

A family washing several loads a week should check monthly. A single person with light loads can stretch to every 3 months.

Watch for two signals that mean clean it now: the drum holds water longer at the end of a cycle, and dark clothes come out with fuzz that wasn't there before.

What else should you wipe while the filter is out?

The filter opening, the drum rim and the lid area collect residue too. Cleaning them while you're already in the drum saves a second job later.

Wipe the rim where the lid meets the cabinet, the top of the agitator, and the area around the filter housing. A soft cloth with warm water lifts detergent film that traps lint.

Check the fabric softener dispenser if your model has one, since that cup builds a sticky layer that can flake into the drum.

The lid gasket or seal area matters most. Leave the lid open between loads so moisture escapes, and odor and mildew have less chance to grow in a dark, damp drum.

How do you keep the screen clean longer?

Sort lint-shedding fabrics away from lint-attracting ones, and don't overload the drum. A full but not packed drum lets water and lint move to the filter instead of clinging to clothes.

• Wash towels and fleece separately from dark knits and dress shirts.
• Shake outdoor clothing and blankets before they go in.
• Measure detergent; extra suds carry lint and leave film on the screen.
• Run a cleaning tablet monthly to reach the drum and pump.

A washer that shakes during the spin cycle can also throw lint and water in odd places. Our guide to why does my washer shake violently covers leveling and load balance, which keep the drum and filter area working as designed.

When you're shopping for a machine with an easy-to-reach filter, the top load washer roundup compares models by drum design and capacity.

Which products help between filter cleanings?

A monthly cleaning tablet reaches residue the filter can't hold. The screen catches lint and grit, but soap scum and bacteria build in the drum, pump and filter housing where a tablet can dissolve them.

Best for a monthly tub cleaning routine

Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner is a time-release tablet the brand says powers away bacteria, grime and soap scum inside the pump, drum and filter. Affresh says one tablet once a month is enough and that it's safe for top load and HE washers. {{product B0FCYCCB33 | A monthly tablet that reaches the drum and filter housing between manual screen cleanings.}}

Best for a year of descaling

ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner Descaler comes as 24 effervescent tablets, a 12-month supply for one load a month. The tabs foam in water to break down grime and hard water buildup and work with top load and front load models. {{product B08DVFZTTG | A bulk pack of descaler tablets for a full year of drum and filter-area cleaning.}}

What should you do if cleaning doesn't fix the problem?

If the drum still drains slowly or clothes stay linty after a clean screen, look beyond the filter. The drain hose, pump trap area or a blocked vent can cause the same symptoms.

A filter that's clean and seated flat rules out the easiest cause first.

Call a technician if water stands in the drum after the cycle ends, or if the machine won't drain even with a clean filter. For a washer that's still under warranty, check the maker's service terms before opening any panel.

The short version

To clean a top load washer filter, empty the drum, release the screen as the manual shows, rinse and brush it, and set it back flat. Add a monthly cleaning tablet so the drum and filter housing stay fresh, and leave the lid open between loads.

A five-minute filter clean every month or two is the simplest way to keep lint off clothes and the drain flowing.

Frequently asked questions

Does every top load washer have a filter I can remove?

No. Many newer high-efficiency top loaders rely on a self-cleaning lint system and have no removable filter, while older models often do.

Check your manual or look for a lift-out screen or cap in the drum before you assume there is one to pull.

How often should I clean a top load washer filter?

Plan on every 1 to 3 months for a typical family, and more often if you wash pet bedding, heavily soiled work clothes, or lots of lint-shedding fabrics. A slow drain or visible fuzz on dark clothes is a sign to do it sooner.

What should I do if the filter won't come out?

Don't force it. Soak the area with warm water for a few minutes so softened lint and detergent residue loosen, then twist or lift as your manual describes.

Some filters turn counterclockwise and some lift straight up, so check the release direction first.

Can I run a cleaning cycle after cleaning the filter?

Yes, and it helps. Put the filter back in place, then run the machine's Clean Washer cycle with a tablet to reach soap scum and residue the filter doesn't hold.

Affresh says its tablet is safe for top load and HE washers and is designed for monthly use.

Why does my top load washer smell after cleaning the filter?

Odor usually comes from residue in the drum, under the lid, or in the pump area rather than the filter screen itself. Wipe the rim and lid gasket area, leave the lid open between loads, and run a cleaning tablet on a schedule so bacteria and grime don't build up again.

Will cleaning the filter stop lint from covering my dark clothes?

It helps a lot when lint is trapped on the screen, but some lint is normal in any washer. Cleaning the filter, sorting lint-shedding fabrics away from lint-attracting ones, and not overloading the drum all reduce what sticks to clothes.