OK, This is not one of my usual posts with pretty pictures!! Today I’m coming to you as your DIY fix-it girl. I’m going to show you how to clean a washer inlet valve filter yourself and save yourself a few bucks.
Have you ever noticed that the water coming into your washer machine is starting to flow in slowly or your once fast fill washer seems to be taking forever?? Me too!
I actually have an appliance repair man a few year’s ago to thank for letting me in on this little secret…so thank you Mel!
I have a standard top loading machine…so I don’t know if the inlet valve filter screens are different. My machine has been taking forever to cycle through and I’ve had this on my to-do list for a few weeks now.
step 1.
Unplug your washer for safety…I don’t need any of you getting zapped! You may need to move your washer out a bit from the wall so you can access the hoses.
Next, shut your water valves off. They will be located on the wall.
Unscrew the hose from the back of your washer. You may need pliers to loosen your hose so have a set handy. I put a towel underneath the hose as I unscrewed it to catch any water drips.
step 2.
If you look inside the back of the inlet valve you will see a plastic screen. Use a pair of needle nose pliers and pull it out! It might take a few tries to get it.
We have well water here that has lots of iron and minerals, so sediment is a constant problem for us.
I couldn’t believe what the inlet valve filter looked like when I yanked it out…YIKES!! I am surprised any water was getting into my washer!!
Talk about gross!!! Now repeat the process for the hot water hose to get out the other inlet valve screen.
step 3.
Now it’s time to clean that bad boy off!!
There are a few ways to clean the inlet valve screen off. Soaking the inlet valve in vinegar for awhile and then scrubbing it off will work if you want to go the more natural route.
I was a bit pressed for time so I squirted the valve with toilet bowl cleaner and got scrubbing using a small stiff brush. It only took a few seconds for all the sediment to come right off…honestly, did you ever think that gross thing was ever going to come clean!!
It only took a few seconds for all the sediment to come right off…honestly, did you ever think that gross thing was ever going to come clean!!
step 4.
Now, time to put the inlet valve screens back in. It went in much easier than it came out!
Screw the hoses back on tightly; turn the water valves back on and plug in your washer.
Girl! My washer is taking forever to fill. Usually this is a job I task my husband with and it’s taking him forever to get around to it.
We have a well too and our water is a mess so we have to do this at least once a season.
You’ve encouraged me to try cleaning them out myself. I’ll let you know how I do!
Jen- I’m the handy woman around here! I’ve fixed our washers and dryers multiple times over the years ( thanks to Google and YouTube!) and build everything that comes in a box…I need my boys & hubbie for the muscle to move things for me though.