How do I remove a stuck washing machine filter?

[SoTiredoftheWheelsontheBus]

In the spirit of the maintenance wash threads, I gave my washing machine a clean yesterday, but the little round filter door at the bottom was stuck. I could unscrew it and pull out slightly anticlockwise to drain the water, but couldn't actually pull out the whole 'plug' bit. This did used to be possible, so I'm not trying to break it. Any ideas on how to loosen this without breaking it?

Thank goodness for mn for reminding me of the neverending list of things to be cleaned. BTW, apologies for the random time of posting, but am doing the baby night shift

Oh me too! I couldn't get the darn thing out no matter how much I wiggled it.

Sorry I can't help but I also hope someone can!

when it happened to me, I bought a new filter before breaking taking out the old one.

Mine was a Bosch and cost me round about £5 from their mail-order parts website. At that price it didn't seem worth trying to get a cheaper one anywhere else.

thanks, PigletJohn (and thanks for the tips on the other wm thread!). I was hoping more to hear about sometrick to loosen it, rather than breaking it out. But it wouldn't have occurred to me to order a replacment beforehand. Good thinking!

I’ve just had the same problem. After many hours I used a pair of pliers. Not sure why I never thought of that to start with.