how often do you "clean" ladies clear out the filter thingy on your washing machine?

[fryalot]

because I did mine today and it made me think that perhaps I should be doing it slightly more often than I have been

(ie: never )

but only cos i had washed dog's blanket and it was clogged up

oh, i just realised the title was "clean" ladies

should not have come here really, i am a fraud

hee hee!

you did it though, slarty, so you are surely classed as clean

It's a Hotpoint WF321.

Please don't tell me it's on the back because that means first we have to disconnect the dishwasher, move it and drag it out of the door, then disconnec the washing machine and drag that out as well.

that is true squonk, obviously i am clean now

oops I have never done mine either.

I know exactly where my filter is and how to get into it....

but...

only because I called out an engineer when my machine stopped emptying last month. He took the front panel off, emptied the filter and said that will be £45 please

girlandboy - does it look like this?

That bottom bit, that is separated from the rest of the machine by that line... that's your panel there. Put a flat head screwdriver in the line and pull the panel off and your filter will be under there.

frasersmummy - I shall spend £45 on myself tomorrow as payment

Squonk, you angel! Yes that is my machine. I will attempt it tomorrow in daylight. Oh god, I dread to think what's in there.
Think of me.................

make sure you have a large collection of (preferably dirty) towels to hand - if it's anything like mine was, there'll be lots of water comes out of there

Let us know how you get on!

2nd point - what a stupid place to hide a filter! I just thought it was the bottom plinth.

I should point out that I only found mine when I pulled the machine out, assuming it was round the back, and the instruction booklet fell out. I'd stored it handily on top of the machine, under the worktop, then completely forgotten about it.

It says inside the booklet where the filter is

I think I need to brace myself for what tomorrow may bring.............

I've just had a look under my white panel (Hotpoint like picture but different serial number) but there's silver metal (I'm so technical!) underneath which is screwed down. Is it really under there???

don't know, judd. Mine was just there when I got the panel off.... hang on, I'll google...

if you put the model number in here it will download the whole instruction book thingy, and that will tell you where your filter is...

Oooh, just looked at the instruction book you linked. Mine says that it has a self-cleaning pump that doesn't require any maintenance. It says that the pump filter is for collecting small items such as buttons and coins. Tomorrow I will remove the "kick strip" and have a nosey.

(is it called a "kick strip" because after you;ve cleaned the filter, you;re so disgusted with the whole thing that you kick the washing machine?"

A filter you say?! Hmmm

OMG - something else to do tomorrow! Just heard loud noise on roof. Ventured outside with torch and a big slate has slid down roof and come to rest in guttering. Dh will be pleased when he comes home from work!!!

So this is a surprise to quite a few. God help you when you look at it.

Thanks for the link, Squonk. I think I'm self cleaning as well. Yay!

Well, I did it!!! Some water ran out, but I was well prepared. Nothing in there at all, which was pleasing, not even a bit of soggy fluff or hair. Was quite expecting lost drill bits etc. as dh works on aircraft and is forever leaving tools in pockets. But no, nothing

Will check again in a few months. Thanks for your advice!!