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Is the drain of your washing machine clogged? This is how you solve it

Thijs7 AUGUST 2025
A clogged washing machine drain hose held by a hand wearing a white glove. The pipe is filled with dirt deposits and limescale. In the background, the drum of the washing machine is visible.

Is the water not draining properly from your washing machine, or does water stay in the drum after a wash? It’s likely that the drain is clogged. Below, you'll find the most common causes – and more importantly – the best ways to fix and prevent this issue.

Why is the drain of the washing machine clogged?

A white washing machine with a glass door and black rim. In front of the appliance, a large puddle of water is visible on the grey tiled floor, indicating a water leak or overflow from the machine.

When the drain in your washing machine is blocked, water can’t flow away as it should. You’ll notice water pooling in the drum or leaking onto the floor. It can also cause musty smells. Here are the most common reasons:

  • Lint and fluff from clothes can build up in the drainpipe
  • Detergent and soap can clump together
  • Hair, skin flakes and other debris collect inside the pipe
  • Small items like coins or buttons may end up in the drain
  • Limescale from hard water builds up over time

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What are the solutions for a clogged washing machine drain?

There are several ways to unblock your washing machine’s drain. For light clogs, boiling water might be enough. For tougher problems, you may need stronger tools like a plunger or sewer cleaner. Start with the first method and move on if that doesn’t work.

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A clear glass kettle with a black handle and base sits on a white table, filled with boiling water. A grey cabinet is in the background.

Boiling water to unclog drains First

Start with boiling water. Heat 2 litres and place a bucket under the siphon before unscrewing it. Slowly pour the water into the drain. If soap residue is the cause, it should clear within 15 minutes. Rinse with more hot water and reattach the siphon securely.

A glass bottle with a brown label reading "vinegar", partially filled with clear liquid. Beside it stands a glass jar with a metal lid, containing white powder and labelled "soda". Both are positioned on a light-coloured surface.

Unclog the drain hose with cleaning soda and vinegar

Pour 1 cup of soda into the drainpipe (with the siphon in place), followed by half a litre of cleaning vinegar. Leave it to sit. After 20 minutes, pour in 2 litres of boiling water to flush out the debris.

A black rubber plunger with blue handle rests on a coiled metal drain snake on a wooden floor. A tool is visible to the left. The background shows a brown wooden wall and a white container.

Empty the drainpipe with a tension spring

Insert a drain snake or tension spring into the pipe and twist to loosen the blockage. Some come with special hooks for better grip. For a washing machine drain, use a 3-metre spring or longer.

See all washing machine accessories
A blue plastic bottle with a red cap from which a clear liquid is being poured into a white sink. The liquid flows directly towards the metal drain. This is likely a liquid drain unblocker being used to clear a blockage.

Use sink unblocker for the drain

Sink unblockers can also help. They come in liquid or granule form. Check your drain material (usually PVC or metal) and make sure the product is compatible. Follow the instructions on the packaging carefully.

A person is using a Kärcher pressure washer to clean a grey drainage pipe beneath a sinThe yellow pressure washer is visible on the left. The user is holding the black spray gun and directing it at the pipe against a white wall.

Spray the washing machine drain with a high-pressure sewer cleaner

If you own a pressure washer, attach a sewer cleaning hose: a narrow hose with a spring tip. Push it gently through the bends of the drainpipe and spray water at high pressure to dislodge the blockage.

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How do you prevent the drainpipe of your washing machine from getting clogged?

A person in a white shirt pours blue laundry liquid from a white jug into the detergent drawer of a modern washing machine. The machine has a digital display showing temperature and time settings. The worktop above is dark grey with wooden cabinetry beneath.

Prevention is always better. These tips help keep your drain flowing:

  • Use a special lint trap in the drain of your washing machine.
  • Check the strainer of the water supply from the tap to your machine every 6 months.
  • Buy an energy-efficient washing machine with an automatic detergent dosing function.
  • Clean the drain hose regularly with vinegar and water.
  • Clean the lint filter once a month.
  • Before each wash, check the pockets of your clothes for loose objects.

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What should you do if the washing machine drain is still clogged?

I see someone cleaning a washing machine filter. The person is holding the filter, ready to clean it. There's visible dirt and debris inside the machine. The person is sat on a soft, blue bath mat.

Still blocked? The issue might be the machine’s drain filter. It’s usually behind a flap at the bottom front of your washer. Place a bucket and towel underneath, unscrew the cap, and let the water drain. Remove any dirt or debris, rinse the filter, and screw it back into place.

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Our advice to solve a clogged washing machine drain

A white Bosch washing machine with open door stands in a laundry area. Colourful clothes (red, purple, blue, green) hang above. To the left is a black shelving unit with folded towels and baskets. To the right, a wicker basket is visible next to a wooden wall.

If your washer smells bad, leaks or leaves water behind, the drain could be clogged. Boiling water is often enough. If not, try soda and vinegar, a drain snake or a pressure washer. To avoid future blockages, regularly clean your machine’s filter, drain hose and other key parts.

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