Washing machine

Question

We are on a well and have heavy minerals in our water which causes the cold water filter on my washing machine to clog about every 3-4 weeks.   So I pull out washer and remove filter, soak in vinegaar and put back.  But this is a pain....  is there any harm to just removing that little filter where the cold water hoses attaches to washer??

Susan Hartline · Answer

i did that, and after about thirty wash loads my washer died. i wouldn't do that if i were you. you can get a very inexpensive water purifier to connect to the water hose instead. the major home fix-it stores have them

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

Agree with Susan-you do not want to remove the filter. If your water is clogging the washer, can you imagine what it is doing to your other appliances and faucets? You may seriously want to invest in a whole house filtration system. The cost up front may be steep or more than you want to pay; however, the investment to protect your appliances such as the water heat, faucets, washer, dishwasher, etc will be worth every penny.
You should not be drinking this water either. We had 500 foot well and we had a softener and a filter system on the drinking water and ice maker because we had hard water. 
Get many estimates and do your research. Good luck!

Lori W · Answer

Thanks Renee - you're right - a whole house system would be best - just a little pricey for the budget right now.

AmericanWoman · Answer

I don't have a solution but am suggesting that you talk with other people near-by that have probably solved this problem. Best wishes

Colleen Novosel · Answer

I used to put javex (bleach) down my well monthly and had no problems..

Barb Coffey Craig · Answer

We also put bleach in our well about every 4 months.

Norman Ransom · Answer

Susan is right about not removing the screens. I repaired appliances for many years and have seen this done many times only to lead to minor problems all the way to flooded houses. There is another set of screens where the hose hooks to the machine, they both serve the same purpose and are important. I had the same problem and finally had to install a whole house filter, works great. The smaller under sink type filters work the same way but don't protect your other appliances.

Pam · Answer

I never realized bleach helped with hard water.  Vinegar I understand how it cleans your filter, but bleach in the well? How does it work and how much do you use? Thanks! Pam

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Bleach should only be put in well to combat bacteria. Bleach will do nothing to stop hard water. If your putting bleach in the well that often, I suggest that you get your well water checked. If its not properly flushed you can poison your family. 
Bleach is normally used when a well is just opened or if work was performed on the system to remove any bacteria that may have resulted during the work. Once sanitized there is no reason to continue to use this chemical. 
There are inexpensive in line whole house filters that will keep your hose screens and your faucet screens clean. 
If your water well is delivering that much hardness or minerals you may want to investigate its condition. Excessive hard deposits is a sign that your water supply may be drying up. In addition these deposits can wear down the pump shortening its life span. professional guidance is suggested in this matter.

Jeanette S · Answer

Sounds like you need a filtering system between the pump and where water comes into the line. My sister is on well water and it is very destructive to her fixtures, etc. My big question to her for 20 years has been, 'what is it doing to your body plumbing?'

Shari · Answer

I had a similar problem with sediment from our well clogging up the filter of my washer and causing a washer error code. My husband bought an in-line water strainer from the boating store. If you just want to address the washer and go this route, you will need to also purchase 1 male and 1 female water hose fitting (from the hardware store, or Lowes or Home Depot etc.) which you attach (with plumber's putty or teflon tape) to each side of the in-line strainer. The female water hose fitting goes on the faucet side and the male water hose fitting goes on the discharge side in the direction of the arrow on the strainer). The female water hose fitting is then attached to your washer hose water faucet. The male water hose fitting is attached to the washer hose (that was previously screwed into the water faucet). In other words, the in-line strainer is placed like a bridge between where your water comes out of the faucet and the hose going into your washer. This inline strainer should greatly reduce the amount of sediment that is gunking up the filter on your washer. You will still need to periodically clean out this in-line strainer but hopefully the faucet is in a location that is easier to get to so you won't have to pull out your washer when this strainer needs to be cleaned. You may be able to find a similar in-line water strainer at the hardware store but because my husband has been a boater all his life and already knew this product existed for boaters, he went to the boating store. Here's the link for the in-line strainer he bought: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=441770&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50632&subdeptNum=50646&classNum=50649#.Uv6-jM6dDfU We eventually had other problems associated with our well water so we ended up getting a (very expensive) whole house water filtration system that also chlorinates and softens the well water, and we no longer use this Groco strainer. As others have mentioned, you may want to consider a very basic whole house sediment filtration system like this one. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-Sediment-Filter-WSSPF-100/203449591 I have no personal knowledge of this particular one but do know some of them can reduce water pressure into your house. This one is actually cheaper than the Groco strainer and would also filter all the water coming into your house versus just your washer.

Barb Coffey Craig · Answer

@Margaret    We use specific discs that are made for wells.

Anne · Answer

We shocked our well with a solution you can get at a water treatment store. It works.

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