Make a Washing Machine Lint Filter

If your washer drains into a tub or sink, you can see that lint from the fabrics gets caught in the drain. To make an inexpensive and relatively long lasting lint trap that will save on future plumbing bills and overflow messes....

Steps

  1. Save the plastic mesh bags from fruit, cheese, nuts, etc.
  2. Cut off anything made of paper or cloth, as those things will mold.
  3. If both ends of the bag are now open, seal one end by threading a twist tie or thin wire, or doubled dental floss in and out about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} apart then pull together so that it gathers together tightly. Twist or tie off.
  4. Thread another longer wire etc through the other end loosely and put it around the end of the tube that drains into the sink, pulling it up a couple of inches. Tighten your wire or floss.
  5. Make sure the tube will not stretch down enough to block the drain, or eventually your sink will overflow.

Tips

  • You will want to change this 2-4 times per year, for sanitation reasons.
  • You can also use the foot end of pantyhose. You need more overlap material at the top so they don't slip off, or blow off from the water pressure, and clog your drain. Also, since they are VERY stretchy, keep them short, as they will stretch down to clog your drain. They also need to be changed a little more often.
  • The efficiency of this filter will increase as lint begins to be trapped.

Warnings

  • If you have not used your washer for several days, the filter may have an odor when you use it again. A spray of Lysol or bleach usually solves that.

Tip: Make a rubber collar out of an old rubber discharge hose, car heater hose etc. of the same or slightly smaller diameter vis-a-vis the discharge hose to hold very well the plastic mesh bag onto the washing machine discharge hose in order to avoid coming off and clogging the drain. Cut a {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} length of hose. Make a slit perpendicular to the cut ends. gather the open end of the mesh bag over the end of the discharge hose. Open or separate the slit in the collar and place over the end of the discharge hose having the mesh bag sandwiched in the middle. If there is no gap at the slit, make the collar out of a slightly smaller diameter hose or shave off some of the hose along the slit. Should be a little gap in the slit in order to cover the gathered portion and hold it firmly in place when secured snugly but not too tight with at least one typical hose clamp that tightens with a screwdriver. Result: virtually no chance of coming off and stopping up the laundry tub. Rubber collar protects the mesh bag from being cut by the hose clamp(s).

  • If you have this drain system, you know that anything that clogs the sink drain will cause your sink to overflow unless you have a very large sink. And the whole point is to avoid that now or in the future.

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