Draining a washing machine, especially when it's full of water and won't complete a cycle, typically involves accessing the drain pump filter or hose at the bottom of the unit. This manual process allows you to remove standing water safely.
Why Might You Need to Drain Your Washing Machine?
You might need to drain your washing machine manually if:
- The machine stops mid-cycle with water inside.
- There's a power outage during a wash.
- There's a blockage in the drain pump or hose.
- You need to access the drain pump filter to clean it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Draining Your Washing Machine
Based on the standard procedure, here are the steps to drain your washing machine:
| Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open the panel. | Locate and open the small access panel, usually at the bottom front. |
| 2 | Prepare the area. | Lay down towels and position a shallow container to catch draining water. |
| 3 | Find the drain pump filter/drain hose. | Identify the drain pump filter cap or a small drain hose near the filter. |
| 4 | Start draining the water. | Slowly unscrew the filter cap or open the small drain hose cap to let water flow into the container. |
| 5 | Put the drain pump filter/drain hose back. | Once drained, clean the filter if necessary, then securely replace the cap or hose. |
| 6 | All done! | Close the access panel and clean up any spilled water. |
Let's break down these steps further:
Step-by-Step Process
- Open the panel.
This often involves locating a small panel or door at the very bottom of the front of your washing machine. You might need a flathead screwdriver or just your fingers to gently pry it open. - Prepare the area.
Before you start draining, place old towels or absorbent cloths on the floor directly in front of the access panel. You will also need a shallow container, like a baking tray or low-sided bowl, to collect the water that will come out. Water can flow out quickly, so be ready for a potentially messy situation. - Find the drain pump filter/drain hose.
Once the panel is open, you should see the drain pump filter, which is usually a large cap or knob you can unscrew. Some models also have a small, thin rubber hose tucked near the filter with a cap on the end; this is specifically designed for draining. - Start draining the water.
If your machine has the small drain hose, point it into your container and carefully pull off the cap. Water will begin to flow out. If your machine only has the drain filter cap, place your container directly underneath it and slowly begin to unscrew the cap. Unscrew it just enough to allow water to trickle out into your container. You'll likely need to empty and reposition your container multiple times depending on how much water is in the drum. - Put the drain pump filter/drain hose back.
After all the water has drained, you may want to fully remove the filter cap to check for lint, coins, or other debris and clean it. Once clean, screw the filter cap back on tightly by hand. If you used the small drain hose, replace its cap securely and tuck the hose back into its holder. Ensuring these are sealed properly prevents future leaks. - All done!
With the filter or hose secured, close the access panel on the front of the machine. Wipe up any spilled water from the floor and surrounding area. The manual draining process is now complete.
This method is effective for removing standing water from the drum when the machine's normal drain cycle is not working.
