How to Clean the Lint Filter in Your Washing Machine

Follow these washing machine lint filter cleaning tips by cleaning the lint filter every 2 to 4 weeks in top-load washing machines and compatible models. Regular cleaning helps maintain washing performance, improves water flow, and reduces lint build-up that can affect clothes and drainage.

• Clean the lint filter every 2 to 4 weeks, or more frequently if you wash lint-producing fabrics such as towels and blankets.
• Remove the filter, rinse it under running water, and clear away lint before reinstalling it securely.
• Some front-load washing machines do not have a built-in lint filter and instead rely on a drain pump filter or self-cleaning system.
• If your washing machine does not include a built-in lint filter, an external lint trap typically costs around Rs. 200 to Rs. 600.
• Regular filter cleaning helps improve washing efficiency, supports proper drainage, and extends the appliance's service life.

You can also buy a new washing machine on Easy EMIs at over 1.5 lakh partner stores across 4,000 cities, including Reliance Digital, Croma, and Vijay Sales.

A washing machine lint filter is a built-in component that collects lint, fibres, hair, and other debris released from clothes during the wash cycle, helping prevent blockages and maintain efficient washing performance. Depending on the washing machine type, the lint filter may be a mesh bag, a cylindrical screen, or a pump filter located near the base of the appliance. By trapping loose fibres before they circulate through the machine or enter the drainage system, the filter helps keep clothes cleaner, supports proper water flow, reduces the risk of drainage issues, and contributes to the long-term performance and reliability of the washing machine.

If you want to replace your washing machine, visit any of Bajaj Finance's 1.5 lakh partner stores — like Vijay Sales, Croma, Reliance Digital, and more — across 4,000 cities, including Tier 2 cities like Jaipur, Lucknow, Kochi, Bhopal, and more in India. Choose your preferred model, then use the Bajaj Finance Insta EMI Card or Bajaj Finance Easy EMI Loan to finance it. Convert the cost into Easy EMIs that suit your monthly budget and enjoy zero down payment on select models — take it home without any upfront payment. Check your loan eligibility online in minutes so you know exactly what you can get before you step into the store.

Cleaning the lint filter is important because a clogged filter restricts water flow, reduces washing performance, and can lead to drainage problems. Cleaning the lint filter every 2 to 4 weeks helps maintain efficient operation and can contribute to the long-term performance of your washing machine.

Regular lint filter cleaning improves washing efficiency, supports proper drainage, and helps keep your washing machine operating reliably over time.

A clogged lint trap affects washing performance and can damage your machine if left unattended. Watch out for these clear warning signs.

• Lint and fluff on clean clothes: If you notice fabric fibres, white fluff or small threads sticking to clothes after a wash cycle, the lint filter is likely full and no longer capturing debris effectively during the cycle.
• Clothes not rinsing properly: A blocked lint trap restricts water flow through the machine, which can prevent detergent and lint from being flushed away completely during the rinse stage, leaving residue on fabric after washing.
• Unusual noise during the wash cycle: A clogged filter forces the washing machine's pump to work harder to circulate water, which can produce a humming, gurgling or straining noise during the wash and drain stages that is not present when the filter is clean.
• Water draining slowly or not at all: Lint and debris accumulation in the filter can partially or fully block the drainage path, causing water to drain very slowly at the end of the cycle or pool at the bottom of the drum after the spin is complete.
• Musty or unpleasant odour from the machine: Accumulated lint, hair and fabric fibres trapped in a dirty filter create a damp environment where bacteria and mould grow rapidly, producing a persistent musty smell that transfers to freshly washed clothes.
• Error codes on the display panel: Many modern washing machines display a drainage or filter error code when the lint filter is severely blocked and restricting water flow beyond the machine's operational tolerance. Check your user manual for the specific error code related to filter blockage on your model.

If your top load washing machine is not performing as expected, and these signs are present, it is time to inspect and clean the lint trap. Regular checks can help prevent major issues before they become costly repairs.

Cleaning the lint filter in a top-load washing machine usually takes 5 to 7 minutes, while cleaning the filter in a front-load washing machine typically takes 8 to 10 minutes. Regular lint filter cleaning improves washing performance, supports proper drainage, and helps prevent lint from settling on clothes. Before you begin, keep a soft brush, a clean cloth, a shallow container or towel, and access to running water ready.

How to clean the lint filter in a top load washing machine

• Switch off and unplug the washing machine completely before starting the cleaning process to ensure safety throughout.
• Locate the lint filter inside the drum on a top load machine. It is typically a mesh bag or cylindrical filter attached to the drum wall or the agitator column near the top of the drum interior.
• Remove the filter by pulling or twisting it out gently according to the design of your specific model. Refer to the user manual if the filter does not detach easily by hand.
• Tap the filter gently against the inside of a waste bin to dislodge loose dry lint before washing, which makes the cleaning process faster and prevents large amounts of debris from going down the drain.
• Hold the filter under running water and use a soft toothbrush with a small amount of mild liquid soap to gently scrub all mesh surfaces until the filter is completely free of lint, fabric fibres and residue.
• Rinse the filter thoroughly under running water until no soap remains and the mesh openings are fully clear and unobstructed before reinstalling.
• Dry the filter with a clean cloth and reinsert it firmly into its housing, ensuring it is securely seated before closing the machine and running a test cycle.

How to clean the lint filter in a front load washing machine

• Switch off and unplug the machine before starting. Place a dry towel on the floor directly below the filter access panel at the bottom front of the machine to absorb water spillage during the process.
• Open the small access panel or flap at the lower front of the machine. This panel conceals the pump filter, which is the primary lint and debris filter on most front load washing machines.
• Place a shallow container or tray directly below the filter cap to catch residual water that will flow out when the filter is opened. There is typically 300 to 500 ml of water trapped in this area.
• Unscrew the filter cap slowly and anticlockwise, allowing water to drain into the container as you turn it. Continue unscrewing carefully until the filter cap is fully removed.
• Remove any visible lint, hair, coins or debris from the filter by hand before rinsing it under running water with a soft brush and mild soap to remove all remaining residue from the mesh and threads.
• Inspect the filter housing cavity with a torch and wipe the inside with a damp cloth to remove any debris or slime that has accumulated around the seal and inner walls of the housing.
• Reinsert the filter, tighten the cap firmly clockwise to prevent leaks and close the access panel before plugging the machine back in and running a short rinse cycle to confirm normal operation.

Cleaning the lint filter every 2 to 4 weeks helps maintain efficient washing performance, improves water flow, reduces drainage problems, and extends the service life of your washing machine.

The lint filter is most commonly located inside the drum of a top-load washing machine or behind the lower front access panel as a pump filter in a front-load washing machine.

If your washing machine has no lint filter, the two most practical solutions are installing an external inline lint trap on the drain hose or using a reusable lint trap bag during wash cycles. These accessories help capture loose fibres and reduce lint build-up, improving washing performance and supporting proper drainage.

• Install an external inline lint trap on the drain hose to collect lint before it enters the drainage system.
• Use a reusable lint trap bag when washing lint-producing fabrics such as towels, blankets, fleece garments, and pet bedding.
• Clean the external lint trap or lint bag regularly to maintain effective lint collection and prevent blockages.
• Run the drum cleaning programme once a month to remove any remaining lint, detergent residue, and odours from the washing machine.

A lint trap and a lint filter serve the same purpose of collecting lint and fibres, but they are not always the same component. A washer lint trap is commonly found in top-load washing machines, while a washing machine lint filter may refer to a mesh filter, a pump filter, or another built-in filtration system, depending on the appliance design.

The most important step before leaving your washing machine unused for an extended period is to clean the lint filter thoroughly and run 1 drum-clean cycle to remove lint, detergent residue, and moisture that can cause odours or mould.

1. Clean the lint filter completely before storing the washing machine.
2. Run 1 drum-clean cycle to remove any remaining residue from the drum and internal components.
3. Leave the door and detergent drawer slightly open to allow air circulation and prevent moisture build-up.
4. Turn off the water supply and unplug the washing machine if it will not be used for several weeks.
5. Check and clean the pump filter when you return before running the first wash cycle.

Bajaj Finance offers two financing options for purchasing washing machines. Both options are available at over 1.5 lakh partner stores across 4,000 cities in India. Here is how they compare:

How to choose? Both options require you to be physically present at a partner store. The Insta EMI Card is ideal for shoppers who want to purchase across multiple categories over time. The Easy EMI Loan suits buyers looking to finance a higher-value purchase in a single transaction.

Also explore the latest offers. You may find a great deal on a model that matches your needs.

The process is simple and typically takes 10 to 15 minutes once you are at the store.

1. Browse washing machine models on Bajaj Mall: Compare fully automatic vs semi-automatic options, capacity, and energy rating based on your home's water pressure situation on Bajaj Mall before visiting a store.
2. Find a partner store near you: Use the Bajaj Finance store locator to find a nearby partner outlet such as Croma, Vijay Sales, or other authorised retailers.
3. Check the washing machine in person: Confirm the inlet pressure requirements listed in the product manual, and discuss whether an inline booster pump may be needed alongside your purchase given your home's water supply situation.
4. Choose a suitable EMI option: At checkout, ask the store executive about the Bajaj Finance Insta EMI Card or Easy EMI Loan. Confirm available tenure options and whether your chosen model comes with a zero down payment offer.
5. Complete payment and schedule installation: The in-store process is quick, and most partner stores offer installation as part of the purchase.

You can also check your loan eligibility online in advance by entering your mobile number and OTP, helping you plan your purchase better before visiting the store.

Bajaj Finance’s Smart Savings Calculator helps you unlock maximum savings every time you shop at partner stores. It brings together all available brand, dealer, and scheme offers—so you can see your total savings instantly and shop smarter with Easy EMIs.

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