Hotpoint Washing Machine Pump Filter and Detergent Drawer Cleaning

ID: 218497

Description: [youtubevideo|x1E_gBvOtCw]Use this guide to...

Steps:

1. Turn off the washing machine and unplug it from the wall outlet.
2. Let the water inside the machine cool before opening the pump filter if a hot wash just finished.
3. Have cloths ready because the pump filter may release dirty, smelly water.
4. Clean the pump filter at least once a year, especially in hard water areas.
5. Clean the pump filter sooner if the washer won't drain, makes loud pump noise, or shows an F05 error code.
6. Open the washing machine door and inspect the rubber seal around the drum opening.
7. Wipe dirt, sludge, and loose debris from inside the rubber seal with a cloth.
8. Clean the drainage hole in the middle of the seal.
9. The drainage hole is normal and isn't a rip in the seal.
10. Pull the detergent dispenser drawer straight toward you until it reaches the retaining clip.
11. Raise the side of the drawer to release it from the clip.
12. Lift out the blue conditioner insert from the drawer.
13. Slide the drawer fully out of the washing machine.
14. Set the drawer and blue insert aside for cleaning in the sink.
15. Locate the lower cover across the bottom front of the washing machine.
16. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently prise the cover loose.
17. When the cover pops out slightly, use your fingers to pull it off.
18. The cover isn't held very tightly, so don't force it.
19. Lay a couple of decent sized cloths on the floor under the pump filter.
20. Turn the pump filter anticlockwise to loosen it and let water drain onto the cloths.
21. Expect some dirty, smelly water, but not a large amount.
22. Wring soaked cloths into the sink and put them back under the filter as needed.
23. Keep turning the pump filter anticlockwise until it unscrews completely.
24. Use big pliers for extra leverage if the filter is very stiff.
25. Don't squeeze the pliers tightly, or you may break the plastic filter cap.
26. Pull the pump filter straight out of the pump opening.
27. Check the filter for coins, hair clips, hair grips, sludge, and other debris.
28. Use a brush to pull sludge, dirt, hair, and debris from inside the pump opening.
29. Clean only the accessible area at the front of the pump opening.
30. Remove any loose debris instead of pushing it deeper into the pump.
31. Take the pump filter, detergent drawer, and blue conditioner insert to the sink.
32. Scrub the parts with a brush, detergent, and water to remove sludge, mold, and old detergent.
33. Rinse away loosened dirt and detergent residue.
34. Use a brush kept only for cleaning work.
35. Use paper towel to lift thick sludge and old detergent from inside the dispenser drawer opening.
36. Wipe the drawer opening with a damp cloth and a bit of detergent.
37. Don't use a brush inside the drawer opening, because it can fall into the water feed pipe and be hard to retrieve.
38. Expect tight access inside the opening, and work slowly to avoid scraped knuckles.
39. Hard water scale may stop the area from looking spotless, so remove as much scale and sludge as practical.
40. Fit the blue conditioner insert back into the detergent drawer.
41. Align the arrow on the insert with the groove in the drawer.
42. Make sure the two arrows are on the outside and visible.
43. The insert won't fit properly if the arrows aren't aligned with the groove.
44. Slide the detergent drawer onto the upper rail in the dispenser opening.
45. Check underneath the drawer and line it up with the lower rail.
46. Push the drawer in until it reaches the metal bar at the back and clips into place.
47. Lift the tray slightly if needed to seat it correctly.
48. Guide the pump filter gently into the threaded pump opening.
49. Turn the filter clockwise about two turns until it locks in the vertical position.
50. Don't force the filter if it doesn't turn smoothly, because the plastic threads can cross-thread.
51. The filter locks in place, so don't over-tighten it.
52. Leave the lower white cover off so the pump filter area stays visible.
53. Plug the washing machine back in with dry hands.
54. Run an empty rinse cycle to flush detergent and cleaning residue from the machine.
55. Use cycle A for the rinse cycle on this Hotpoint Aquarius model.
56. Watch the pump filter area and check that no water leaks out.
57. If water leaks, stop the cycle, unplug the washer, and reseat the pump filter when safe.
58. Pause or turn off the washer before refitting the lower cover if the rinse cycle is still running.
59. Fit the lower cover clips into the bottom edge first.
60. Tap the top edge of the cover until it clicks into place.
61. Allow the rinse cycle to finish before using the washer for laundry.