A foreign object in the washing machine: how to remove it?

What to do if a foreign object has got into the drum? How to remove a foreign object from the washing machine without completely disassembling it? What ways are there to get the foreign object out without damaging the appliance?"
Surely, at least once, each of us has noticed the loss of socks, handkerchiefs and other small things after washing. It is quite a reasonable question - "Where do these items disappear during the wash and how to get the foreign object out of the washing machine?

The answer lies on the surface - "They are absorbed by the washing machine! Or rather, as the drum rotates, they can get into the washing tank in the gap between it and the rotating drum." On top of that, brassiere bones can get inside through the perforations of the drum, resulting in unfortunate consequences, such as damaged spigots, punctured plastic tank or jamming of the drum.

Other small items such as buttons, hairpins, paper clips, business cards, plastic cards, beads, rhinestones, and other accessories that have come off of clothing may also get inside the tank.

Therefore, the most important rule to prevent loss and to avoid breakage of the washing machine is to carefully check the pockets, turn the clothes inside out, and wash too small items in special laundry bags, which are sold in almost any hardware store.
Any foreign thing or object that accidentally fell into the drum with the laundry remains until the end of the wash either in the drum itself, or falls inside and settles at the bottom of the tank. Also, in rare cases, it may become wrapped around the shaft, get into the drainage system or get stuck to the heater, which in the future may cause damage to some parts of the washing machine.

Removing a foreign object from the washing machine
If you notice that a foreign object has got into the washing machine at the beginning of the program, you can try to get it out by stopping the set program and draining the water.

To do this you need to perform simple actions:

Press the Start/Pause key, after which the washing machine should pause the program.
Then press this key again and hold it for 5 - 7 seconds.
The washer should start draining water, stop, and unlock the hatch door.
Not every machine will start draining water automatically after you cancel the program, so you will have to remove it from the tank yourself. To do this you will need to take out the hose emergency water drain (located on the front panel at the bottom), put any container and open the plug. After removing the water from the washing machine will unlock the door, and you can remove the accidentally caught in the drum.
! Please note that this option is not available for every SM.
!! important to know. If you disconnect the household appliance from the mains, then after connecting it will start the whole process of washing from the moment of stopping, since the memory is laid in the program of modern models of automatic washing machines. Therefore, it makes no sense to disconnect the plug from the socket in this case.
With semi-automatic washing machines of the horizontal type of loading everything is easier.

Since they are not equipped with a drum, and washing in automatic mode is not provided, you can at any time stop the washing and get the foreign object, even without draining the water.
5 ways to get the foreign object out of the washing machine.

Method #1 - through the perforation of the washing tank

This method is not suitable for all foreign objects, but only for those that could get stuck in the perforations (holes) and could not fully fall into the tank. For example, a bra bone, an invisible barrette, etc. Such things can simply stick out with the end of them. To extract them, you need to run your hand over the entire inner surface of the drum, scrolling it clockwise. Once the item is found, all you have to do is pull it out with your fingers, hook it with tweezers or pliers.

Method #2 - opening access through the heating element

Note: This method of extraction is not suitable for all types and models of washing machines. As a rule, it is used only for the machines where the heating element is located at the back under the washing tank.
Many years of experience in repairing washing machines shows that things that have slipped through the drum end up in the tank and settle at the bottom. They get stuck most often in the location of the heating element, and quite often get stuck to it, which negatively affects the water heating. Therefore, the foreign object should be removed as soon as possible before the heater burns out. To get the foreign object out of the washing machine will need to remove the heating element and after all the procedures to install it in place. All work is carried out only after de-energizing the equipment. To do this, perform the following manipulations:

Unscrew the rear panel of the washing machine;
Disconnect the terminals that supply current to the heating element. In automatic washing machines, there are three wires connected to the heater (phase, zero and ground). Of these, the phase and zero have a terminal connection, and the ground wire can be connected with a nut in the center;
Next, it will be necessary to unscrew the nut slightly, but not all the way. When it lines up with the end of the stud, push the stud inside the heater so that it "sinks" into the nut.After that, using a rocking motion, gently remove the heater from the groove. In some cases it will require some effort. Note that you must not rock the heating element by pulling on the wires. This can damage the contact connections and damage the heater power circuit. In most cases, things that have fallen through will be pulled out with the heating element, as they cling to the coils of the heater tube. In other situations, you need to remove the foreign objects with your fingers or a screwdriver.
Before reassembling, carefully inspect the tube heater for damage. It is not uncommon for it to break when it comes into contact with accidental small items. If it is defective, has visible damage, you should immediately replace the heating element of the washing machine. It is not superfluous to conduct a test with a multimeter. It is quite possible that the heater has been faulty for a long time, but the user simply did not notice this sign.
The order of reassembly is the reverse. I.e., slide out the stud, sink the heater all the way in, reconnect the phase and zero terminals, and tighten the nut that connects the ground wire. To test for leaks, turn on the washing machine through the heating element hole and set any short program. If there are no leaks, then the back cover can be screwed back on and you can use your appliance as you are used to.

Method #3 - access through the drain pipe

This method of removing the jammed object is not suitable for models where the heating element is located behind the front cover of the SM or you simply do not want to remove the heating element. This method is good because it does not cause any difficulties and requires minimum effort. It is enough to unscrew the lid, remove the clamp that holds the drain pipe and look inside the tank through the drain hole. If your model has an additional leakage protection, this method is not appropriate. For other models, the procedure will be as follows:
Lay your washing machine on its side and remove the bottom by unscrewing the fasteners, nuts, bolts or other locks.
Loosen the clamp, which tightens the spigot on the drain outlet and remove the rubber spigot.
Look inside the tank and inspect the visible parts of the heater. To do this, you will need to shine a flashlight inside the drain port.
Once you find foreign objects, remove them with your fingers or other improvised means. As a rule, they themselves fall out, but there are exceptions.
Reassemble in the reverse order.
If your model is equipped with additional leak protection, the Aqua-Stop system is located at the bottom of the washing machine, so in this situation you can only access the drain hole from the back or front, by first removing one of the covers. Self-disassembly in this case is not recommended. It is better to apply to the service department for qualified assistance.

Method #4 - if the previous methods are not possible

One of the most difficult ways is a complete disassembly of the washing tank. Since this work is the most technically complex and requires professional tools, it is not recommended to resort to this method on your own. Most often used if a foreign object stuck in the washing tank on the side, on top or got under the drum cross.
The structure and technical characteristics of different models of SM may differ significantly, so there is no standard scheme of disassembly of the tank. If you have no idea how to carry out a procedure of this kind, do not take any action. Otherwise, there is a high probability of damaging especially important internal units and parts of the household appliance.
Alternatively, you can extract the foreign object by first dropping it on the bottom of the tank, after which you will have access to it through the heating element or the hole of the drainage pipe. To do this, proceed as follows:

Unscrew the rear cover fasteners and remove it to gain access to the items you need;
Remove the drive belt from the pulley of the drum;
Next, unscrew the drum pulley bolt and remove the pulley;
To make the drum shaft shift, you need to tap on it with a wooden or rubber mallet. As it moves relative to the axle, twist the pulley slightly in different directions.
Once you hear the characteristic sound of an object falling to the bottom of the tank, you can tighten the fasteners and put the drive belt back on the pulley.
Now you can use the previous method convenient for you to get the foreign object out of the washing machine.

Method #5 - access through the drain system

Some things are so small or fragile that they can get into a drainage system, such as a hose, a nozzle, a drain filter or a sump pump. If the hoses and the pipe such things are unlikely to harm, but getting into the pump, they can damage the impeller or cause jamming of the pump motor, as well as can form a clog. Therefore, it is not safe to leave foreign objects inside the washing machine.
It is possible to get to these objects through different parts of the drainage system.
The filter (strainer) is located on the front panel at the bottom and is hidden behind a small hatch. This component catches anything unnecessary that can go down the drain, so first, look there.
Open the emergency drain hatch, unscrew the filter, previously placing some container or a rag on the floor. This is necessary to collect residual water, which remains in the tank in small quantities.
Inspect the filter for clogs, look into the hole where the filter screws in. It is possible that the lost item is in this part.
If you find what you were looking for, then rinse the filter with running water, clean it thoroughly of other contaminants and put it back in place.
The spigot is the connecting piece that fits over the protrusion of the drain hole. It is not uncommon for missing items to get stuck in this very spot. How to remove the item in this case has already been described above. But first check whether the filter is tightly screwed, otherwise during washing the machine may leak.
Drain pump - the unit that removes water from the washing machine. A direct sign that an accidental object was here - it is a long drain or its complete absence. During clogging with foreign objects, the drain pump begins to hum strongly when you turn it on, there are uncharacteristic sounds and grinding. In order not to harm your equipment even more, it is better to immediately disconnect the household appliances and call a professional craftsman, who will deal with this problem. Otherwise, the pump can be completely out of working condition, and the replacement will require additional financial expenses.
If you decide to act on your own, then you need to get access to the pump. Please note that different models have different location of this unit.
In some models, the pump is located just behind the drainage filter and is accessed through the bottom. To make it more convenient, we recommend to turn the appliance on its side and perform the extraction operations from the bottom.
In others, the pump is located closer to the rear wall, so you will need to remove the back cover. Some models have such an arrangement.
The German representatives of the washing appliances, located the drain pump is not quite convenient. To access it, you must first remove the top cover, front, detergent dispenser and control panel. Also disable the hatch lock.
Once you get to the pump, you need to disassemble it.

Attention! Working with complexly arranged household appliances requires certain skills, accuracy and stamina. If you doubt the correctness of your actions, the best option is to seek qualified help. Remember that ill-considered actions can entail a number of other, more serious malfunctions, which can be eliminated only by the master

Disassembling the drain pump
In principle, design features and differences drain pumps do not have. Therefore, the procedure can be applied to any of them. To inspect the pump from the inside you will need to:
Disconnect the pump from the fasteners and screws. Be careful and perform all actions over some pre-prepared container or cloth. If you disassemble it, water will flow out of it.
Disconnect the connector from the power supply.
The drain hose and the drainage pipe must be removed from the different ends of the pump by first loosening the clamps.
To disassemble the pump you will need to unscrew the so-called "volute" from the housing, remove the pump motor and impeller from it.
Now you have an opportunity to inspect the pump from the inside. If you find clogs and foreign objects, simply shake them out.
Don't forget about the impeller, as some objects can get stuck between its blades. In addition, it may have visible damage. In this case it is necessary to replace the impeller.
Once all the work has been successfully done you can reassemble the pump and install it in place. Do not forget about the fasteners and other fixing elements.
If the components of the pump are not damaged and the pump itself has no defects, then you can safely operate your technique further. Before doing so, turn on the household appliance in test mode, without screwing the back cover. This is necessary to detect leaks from the pump, if any. No leaks? Then everything is fine. You can put the cover back on and tighten the bolts.

What kind of damage can be caused by foreign objects?
Accidentally caught in the tank fittings from clothes or other small things can cause serious damage to important parts of the washing machine. In this case, the user will have to spend a lot of money on repairs, because these objects cause really global damage if they are not removed in time.
Deformation of the drum and piercing of the washing tank. Sharp metal plates, such as a bra bone or studs, pose a serious danger to the drum cells. These objects can cause the drum to jam if they get inside the tank or puncture the plastic tank, which in turn causes a leak. In this case, you will need to install a new tank, drum or drum axle cross.
Damage to the heating element. If foreign matter gets on the heating element or in the area of its coils, foreign matter can stick to the heater tubes, when rotating the drum, damage it or completely destroy it due to the rotation force of the drum itself and create a funnel effect. Eliminating the heating problem will require replacing the costly part.
Rupture of the rubber collar. Especially if they are metal items with sharp edges. In this case, there is a leak on the side of the hatch. To fix it, you will need to replace the cuff with a new one.
Rupture of the drain spigot. During draining, a foreign object can get stuck in the area of the spigot, which is prone to rupture if a foreign object sticks into it. In this case, there is no way to avoid a flood. All the water will flow to the floor under the washing machine. This component cannot be repaired or taped, so the only way out is to replace it.
Damage to components of the drain pump or the pump itself. With enviable regularity, especially small objects fall into the pump, which can block the rotation of the impeller. In this case, you can hear a strong humming of the motor, but without pumping water. Continuing to operate in this emergency mode can result in failure of the pump motor. It will have to be replaced with a new one. Therefore, it is very important at the first sign of any obstacle in the drain pump must immediately eliminate it.
All these damages can appear because of the little things that remain in pockets or fall into the drum with the laundry accidentally. Our masters had to take out not only paper clips, sunflower seeds and movie tickets. The list is quite extensive. Here and LEGO parts, and pins, fittings for curtains, screws, small bolts and nuts, shoelaces from sneakers, and everything else. So be sure to check everything thoroughly before each wash, so that the children did not hide their toys in the drum.
Observe the simplest rules of operation and laundry, then your appliances will please you with their smooth and trouble-free operation for the whole period of time.