Whatever happened to washing machine lint filters?

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I've always wondered how self-cleaning lint filters actually worked in KM/Whirlpool machines. Where were they located? Another great mystery of life! Lol.
Hotpoint had theirs mounted around the upper tub, it was pretty efficient if I recall correctly. Sure wish SQ TL had one. Dark clothes can be a problem if the load is mixed. SQ gets around this in their manual by suggesting washing only "like items" in the load, in other words don't mix it up. The center of the agitator is hollow, they could have developed something similar to what Maytag used years ago. (Pretty much a moot point now with even more stringent new government regulations coming into play, I would suppose.)

The GE Filter-flos kicked some serious butt, as did the rear mounted Norges.
Interesting thread.
Barry
 
Filters do make a difference. I agree the automatic dryers do a great job, however, I like the idea of the washer filtering as well.
Many of the filtration systems were more gimmicky to me than functional.
That being said, the recirculating systems seemed to do a good job. I much preferred the Whirlpool and Kenmore glass-bead system to the Whirlpool "Tragic-Mix" brush type that was a chore to clean.

Laundress, I agree, those old Maytag filters worked just fine.
IMO the Filter-Flo was the best,however, you still had to clean it and then store the filter pan out of the way to load and unload the machine. Such was the design that they were also as water intensive as a 1-18 or Westy TL of the era.
 
@gyrafoam

Was thinking about the whole agitator lint filter and Maytag wringers and thought of you; well your tag name at least. *LOL*

The "gyrafoam" washing action of Maytag washers, in particular the conventional versions sent currents of water towards center of tub, down and out/up the sides. As such a lint filter in center of agitator is well places to catch muck as currents of water pass through.

Of the disadvantages one immediate comes to mind; use as a dispenser for powdered detergents. So far have had to scrub out both of mine mostly about hard water scale and crusted detergent powder build-up than lint. Just what kind of water do people have outside of New York anyway? *LOL*

The other thing is best to clean these lint filters while they are still wet, and do so thoroughly. Once things dry and or start to cake/build up the chore becomes that much more difficult.
 
Laundress,
I've not had a problem with detergents caking up. You are correct about cleaning filter when lint is still damp. I think the limitation with that filtration system is that it is likely not nearly as effective at a low water level as a full one.
As for water, here in Roanoke it is hard, however, most of my detergents contain phosphates, so not having a problem.
NYC used to have great water. Maybe things have changed,however, I can still tell the difference between bagels made in NYC vs. anywhere else!
 
laundress beat me to it

I have a 58 Whirlpool set. I took apart the washer and observed the self cleaning lint filter. Its a black rubber affair with internal "teeth". I guess at some point it reverse flushes to send the lint down the drain.

To me, those lint socks one puts on a drajn hose would only serve a purpose for a suds saver washer. Otherwise they are just a PITA when they fill up and start spraying water out of the sink though the few remaining orifices.
 
Those lint filters on Maytags DID work quite well.
Until the detergents were changed.
My parents' LA511 that's still kicking, has a fully plugged up lint filter.
I've given up cleaning it.
My parents have given up checking it, which is fine because it's fully plugged and no longer functions.
I'm not sure what happened, but today's detergents have rendered the center filter useless.
 
I wish that there were a comeback for the manual-clean filter!

Yes, all that lint my washer puts down the drain took its ultimate toll:

Roto Rooter had to come out to snake my drain (& because of a few other plumbing fixtures, like the sinks, toilets, bath/shower, dishwasher etc. were also responsible) just to find disposable wipes were also too much for the plumbing to handle (although that black fibers material looked like something my brother-in-law would'a flushed down)...

-- Dave
 
" detergents have rendered the center filter useless&#34

Probably a result of hard water minerals and the amounts of washing soda, Zeolites and other substances used to replace phosphates when that substance was removed.

The Lime-A-Way suggestion is a good one, or just soak in a container filled with white vinegar. Soak for a few hours or so until you see most of all of the muck/gunk has dissolved. Afterwards a good scrubbing with a stiff brush (old toothbrush is fine), will help get at the rest. Rinse well and viola, you'll have nice clean filter.

Going forward if switching to liquid detergents isn't in the cards, then it is vital that the Maytag filter be cleaned after each wash day. As stated previously if done while still wet and muck is fresh the job is far easier. Again a toothbrush is your best friend for this sort of job.
 
Laundress

Your suggestions are spot on.
But my parents would never maintain it now.
If it was my washer I'd totally keep it clean and functional.
 
lint filters

while growing up i have know during my childhood 2 washers first being the magic mix brush type lint filter (inglis superb) washer that my mom had bough when she was pregnant with me second washer whirlpool nail bed easy clean lint filter the direct drive washer my mom and i own was self cleaning but i think the best lint filter was and always will be the famous ge filter flo washer much easyer to clean



if ge decided to make as a special anevesary special editon filter flo washer how would you see it in today era?
 
I remember an issue of Consumer Reports reviewing only the most hi-end, upper-class machines, consisting of Whirlpool, Kitchen Aid & Maytag (& a forth brand that I don't remember which, just don't think it was Sears) of which the Maytag "had a manual filter that had to be cleaned periodically", and the only one in the line-up--in fact probably one of the last of the push-button models (vertical & non-center-dial, white-on-white (or choice of Almond) finish)...

-- Dave
 
Whirlpool "tragic-mix" brush.

Am I the only person in the world that used a Brastemp with a brush-type filter (chrome, glass, and a soft brush instead of the "bed of nails") and had it looking like new for nearly 30 years and had it clean in seconds and super easily?

Just shake it under a fully open faucet. simple! The Brastemp manual even mentioned that.
 
I had a few machines with those MagicMixDispenser's....

super cool to watch with or without it in place.....

and yeah, sometimes a pain to clean.....we used a fine metal brush from one of the pets, cleaned it with ease...

the bed of nails did seem to catch more lint....a simple whack on the inside of the trash can cleaned it in an instant....
 
Filter-Flo

I miss my Filter-Flo sets, all 3 of them in 3 different homes. What I valued that big washer filter for, was pet hair. It didn't accumulate on the tubs, it didn't just float around in the water. It got in that filter and stayed there for me to wipe out in an easy sweep. Didn't matter which dog, didn't even matter whether it was dog or cat hair. I wrote about my new SQ 432 ending up with tons of pet hair on the s.s. tub after washing the pet linens and someone wrote back saying I should've stuck with a front loader.

Perhaps this is yet another sign that we are being pushed out of top loaders.
 
I wonder if fabric softener would help with 'fur' in some cases.....

Fler, TLer, HE, NonHE......lint filter, self clean, even leaving the filter out....

dryer or line dry.....

never had an issue with per fur.....

a lot of times you will find me SudsSaving into another machine to wash the dogs blankets and/or cleaning rags.....

just one of those things, one person will have an issue, while another does not....can't explain it...

I have always had Siberians, this is my 5th one....and they have a double coat to deal with.....
 
Just Good Luck?

Though I hadn't thought of it before, the only top loaders I ever owned were three GE Filter-Flo sets bought for 3 different homes. Before buying the first set in college in 1977 I had a Frigidaire Skinny-Mini that worked perfectly for me (220V dryer), but I didn't have any furry pets then.

So maybe other top-loaders didn't do as well with pet hair, I don't know. And maybe others did better with it. For my 2 front loaders, they would accumlate pet hair on the underside of the glass door and I'd have to wipe it off, and only a little down in the gasket crevice. But then, very little in the dryer.

Maybe I just had good luck...
 

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