Washing Machine Hose Clogged

How to Unclog a Washing Machine Hose

By Mark J. Donovan




 If you are noticing that it’s taking a long time for your washing machine to fill up with water and to complete a laundry load cycle chances are you have a clogged washing machine hose. Over time silt and sediment can clog washing machine hose screens and prevent water from entering the washing machine properly. With a few tools and about 20 minutes of effort you can unclog your washing machine hoses.

Tools Required for Unclogging Washing Machine Hoses

To unclog your washing machine hoses you will need an adjustable pair of pliers, a bucket, a small stiff bristle brush, an old towel, and a turkey baster (I kid you not!).

Remove Washing Machine Hoses

First unplug the washing machine and turn the water valve off to the washing machine. Then, using your adjustable pliers, loosen the metal thread connectors on the washing machine hoses at the valve assembly. Once loosened, use your fingers to continue to remove the washing machine hose connectors from the washing machine valve. Make sure to place the old towel and the bucket underneath the washing machine valve to catch any water that spills from the washing machine hoses as you remove them from the washing machine valve assembly.

Next remove the hoses from the washing machine itself. Again use your adjustable pliers to loosen the washing machine connectors. Then use your fingers to continue to loosen and remove the hoses from the washing machine.

Unclog Washing Machine Hoses

Now, place the washing machine hoses in the kitchen sink or tub. Using your brush scrub the surface of each screen within each washing machine hose.

Do not try to remove the screens as you will most likely wind up breaking them in the process. Then fill each hose with water and blow out on the non-screened side of the washing machine hose. Repeat this process several times. This will help to force the sediment and silt out of the hose and screen.

 Washing Machine Hose Clogged

Clean Washing Machine Valve Assembly

Use your brush, bucket of clean water, and turkey baster to clean the washing machine valve hookup. Simply brush the surface of each valve connection with your brush and squirt a little clean water into the washing machine valve assembly with the turkey baster. Repeat this process a couple of times.

Clean Washing Machine Water Connectors

Again, use your brush, bucket of clean water, and turkey baster to clean the washing machine water connectors. Brush the surface of each connector with your brush and squirt a little clean water into each washing machine connecter with the turkey baster. Repeat this process a couple of times.

Reconnect Washing machine Hoses

After cleaning the washing machine hoses and valve connectors, reattach the washing machine hoses to the washing machine and the washing machine water valve assembly.

Make sure the screened-side of the washing machine hoses attach to the washing machine water valve assembly and the non-screened side of the hoses attach to the washing machine connectors. Be careful to not cross thread the connectors when attaching the washing machine hoses. Use your adjustable pliers to tighten the washing machine hose connectors, but be careful to not over-tighten them.

Finally, plug the washing machine back in and turn the washing machine valve assembly back to the “ON” position. Then turn on your washing machine. The water should now be flowing freely into the washing machine.

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