A small foreign object that can get into the washing machine along with dirty laundry poses a significant danger. Some people underestimate this danger, thinking, "What could a paper clip, safety pin, or bra underwire do?" In fact, it's very serious and can result in costly washing machine repairs. In this article, we'll look at what happens when a bra underwire gets into the washing machine. What to do if this happens? Let's find out!
How dangerous is a piece of women's underwear for the washing machine?
Perhaps the most dangerous item in a washing machine is a common metal bra underwire. If it comes loose during a wash cycle, it can easily slip through the holes in the drum and end up at the bottom of the tub. What are the dangers?
When the washing machine drum spins rapidly, a bra underwire can become lodged in the drum, catching on the drum and puncturing its wall. This will result in a leak and the need to disassemble the machine to repair the hole.
A bone can get stuck between the heating element and the drum, which will result in the drum rotating at high speed simply tearing off the heating element. and it will have to be changed.
A bone can pierce the hatch cuff, and water will leak out of the machine during washing, and therefore the cuff will have to be replaced.
In the worst case, the bone can jam the drum, which will cause an error and stop the wash.
How can you tell if a bra wire has gotten into the washing machine drum? First, check your underwear and be concerned about the wire's loss—it couldn't have vanished without a trace. First, look into the washing machine drum with a flashlight and try to inspect the bottom of the drum through the holes. In the vast majority of cases, you can see the bra wire.
Important! Remember to listen to your washing machine. Often, a small object falling into the drum will make a clanking or grinding noise, especially if it jams the washing machine's moving parts.
Removing the bone by disassembling the machine
If you managed to catch a foreign object like a bra underwire in your washing machine drum, consider yourself lucky. In this case, you should check the edges of the door seal (the large elastic band around the door) to make sure they're intact. If the seal isn't torn by the underwire, then everything is fine. It's much worse if the underwire fell into the drum, and you've managed to confirm that's exactly what happened. What should you do in this situation?
The first thing you need to do is turn off the washing machine. Do not run the machine if there is a foreign object in the drum. Next, you need to figure out how to remove the pit.There are methods for removing items without disassembling the washing machine, although these are more complex and require skill, and methods that require disassembling the machine. Let's start with the latter. The first method will allow you to remove the foreign object through the heating element opening.
Let's be clear that this method is only suitable for washing machine models with a heating element located at the rear of the drum. A prime example is LG front-loading automatic washing machines. The cars have brands Bosch or Siemens, the heating element is located in the front, and the front wall of the washing machine is more difficult to remove than the back. So, what should you do to remove the pit from the drum through the heating element opening?
We turn the washing machine towards us so that there is free access to the rear wall of the machine.
If there's a service hatch at the back, great—open it. If not, unscrew the screws holding the rear panel in place and remove it.
After removing the back wall, we will see a large wheel - this is the drum pulley, behind which is a plastic or metal tank body.
Just below the pulley, large wires should be sticking out of the tank—this is part of the heating element. The heating element itself is located in the tank, and that's what needs to be removed.
We disconnect the electrical wires from the heating element contacts.
Unscrew the nut that secures the heating element. It's located between the contacts.
Now we take the heating element with both hands and begin to swing it from side to side, pulling it towards ourselves.
Once you take out the heating element, don't forget it. descaleAlso, scale needs to be removed from the bottom of the tank.
The heating element has been removed, and now through the resulting hole we can reach the bottom of the tank and pull out the bra underwire.
To more easily hook the bra underwire, use a long wire with a hook on the end or tweezers.
If the bra underwire is not at the bottom of the tank, but, for example, is stuck in the drain pipe, then it will not be possible to remove it from there through the hole under the heating element. You'll have to remove and clean the drain hose. How do you do this? Most washing machines have the drain hose accessible through the bottom, so let's do that.
We move the washing machine to the middle of the room, since we will need free space.
We take the powder tray out of the machine.
We place the machine on the side wall.
Unscrew and remove the bottom of the washing machine (some models of machines have the bottom attached with screws, while others have special fasteners).
There is a thick drain pipe that runs from the tank to the pump and it needs to be removed.
We loosen the clamps, remove the hose, clean it, and then replace it. Then we replace the bottom and put the machine back on its feet.
Please note! The pump may interfere with removing the hose. You'll need to unhook the sensor from the pump, remove the two screws holding the unit in place, and remove the pump before attempting to remove the hose.
Removing the bone without disassembling the machine
If you have some extra time and nimble fingers, you can try to remove the underwire without disassembling the washing machine. To do this, you'll need a flashlight, a thin wire with a hook on the end, and the patience of a saint. Open the washing machine door, turn on the flashlight, and place it directly into the drum so that it illuminates the bottom of the drum through the holes. Next, stick your head through the door and try to see where the underwire is located.
Once we've succeeded, we take a wire with a hook and thread it through the holes into the tank, trying to snag a bone. Without the proper dexterity, this will take at least 30 minutes. Having lifted the bone with a wire, we begin to slowly rock the drum so that the bone begins to stand upright. Next, "manipulate the drum" until the end of the bra underwire fits into one of the drum's holes. This is painstaking work, but if you succeed, all that's left to do is to hook and remove the underwire with pliers.
Please note! It's very awkward to stick your head into the hatch and manipulate the wire with one hand while rotating the drum with the other. You may need a second person to help.
How to avoid foreign objects getting into the machine?
Whether it's a bra underwire or any other foreign object, it's best to keep it out of the washing machine, so you don't have to go to great lengths to get it out. Of course, as the saying goes, "Even an old woman makes a mistake." Even though we know we should check pockets before putting clothes in the washing machine, we still forget to do so every now and then. And it all ends up in unnecessary hassle.
When it comes to women's underwear, experts offer clear advice: wash such items in a laundry bag. Strictly speaking, it's best not to wash underwear in the washing machine at all, as it wears out faster, especially white ones. But if you absolutely must wash it in the washing machine, use laundry bag, or even better, a special bra washing container. This will help preserve the shape of the foam cups.
Thanks to the laundry bags and containers in your automatic washing machine, no foreign objects will get into the machine!
Finally, if a bra underwire is stuck in your washing machine, don't rush to pay a fortune to a professional. You can try removing it yourself, fortunately, we have several simple methods, which we've described in this article. We hope you succeed!
Even with laundry bags, I'm constantly picking these little bones out of the drum. Neither laundry bags, nor so-called containers, nor other devices have withstood my test. I'm forced to wash my underwear the old-fashioned way, by hand.
Thank you so much! I tried to get at it from underneath and from all sides, but it was no use because my arms were too big. Now I struggled for about 40 minutes, hooked it as advised, waited for the right moment, and bam—the tip appeared. The rest was just a matter of technique. Luckily, I'm a fisherman! Thank you so much—I saved $12.
Please tell me what to do? Several coins fell into the washing machine and got stuck in the cleaning filter. The filter cap won't unscrew or screw on all the way. How do I get them out?
Thank you so much for the article. I pulled a bra underwire and a bag or belt hook out of the washing machine myself. I don't know what it was from (8 cm). Without my husband's help. I was afraid he'd scold me.
I realized the grinding noise in the machine was a fallen underwire. I examined everything myself that evening. In the morning, I asked my husband, but he couldn't do anything. I was just about to call a repairman, thinking I'd done it again. I looked in, turned the drum back and forth, and started smoothing each hole with my finger. And then it happened! I found the tip of the underwire! That was something!
I didn't know how to get the bone out, and I had to finish the laundry. I decided—come what may!—and set the machine to rinse and spin on low. The grinding noise was terrible, and then suddenly it stopped, and I heard something scraping against the machine door. I stopped the wash, and there the bone had come out of the drum on its own! I don't know how it had miraculously done that.
Thank you so much for the detailed instructions. The machine's operation is very clearly described. I was ready to remove the heating element, but I felt a small bone in the drain fitting. I pushed it toward the drain hole on the bottom of the front wall of the machine. And then I pulled it out. Words cannot express how happy I am!
I got a bone in my hair, but I can't see it. I washed it afterward, and there were no other noises. What should I do? Wait. It might reappear, or should I call a professional?
Thank you so much! I was looking for a repair shop's phone number and stumbled upon this video. Everything was explained clearly. I couldn't see anything through the holes in the drum. My son and I removed the heating element and, fortunately, found the culprit. We had to make a long hook out of a knitting needle, and in about 20 minutes the car was saved. Thank you!!!
A small foreign object that can get into the washing machine along with dirty laundry poses a significant danger. Some people underestimate this danger, thinking, "What could a paper clip, safety pin, or bra underwire do?" In fact, it's very serious and can result in costly washing machine repairs. In this article, we'll look at what happens when a bra underwire gets into the washing machine. What to do if this happens? Let's find out!
How can you tell if a bra wire has gotten into the washing machine drum? First, check your underwear and be concerned about the wire's loss—it couldn't have vanished without a trace. First, look into the washing machine drum with a flashlight and try to inspect the bottom of the drum through the holes. In the vast majority of cases, you can see the bra wire.
To more easily hook the bra underwire, use a long wire with a hook on the end or tweezers.
Even with laundry bags, I'm constantly picking these little bones out of the drum. Neither laundry bags, nor so-called containers, nor other devices have withstood my test. I'm forced to wash my underwear the old-fashioned way, by hand.
How do you get the bones out of the machine???
Patience... I got it in 40 minutes.
I'm also very interested. Please share your experiences, I'm in a panic. This is the first time I've encountered something like this...
The bone is not at the bottom where the shadow is, but on the side, how do I get it out?
The bone is sticking out through the hole, is it dangerous to pull it out?
Thank you so much! I tried to get at it from underneath and from all sides, but it was no use because my arms were too big. Now I struggled for about 40 minutes, hooked it as advised, waited for the right moment, and bam—the tip appeared. The rest was just a matter of technique. Luckily, I'm a fisherman! Thank you so much—I saved $12.
Thank you so much for your advice! I didn't believe it would work, but I got it out in 15 minutes. I'm so glad you saved me money!
And there is no plus or minus on the heating element to position it correctly...
Thank you so much for the article and the reviews of successful applications. I also got it through the drum with wire! Patience is key 🙂
Please tell me what to do? Several coins fell into the washing machine and got stuck in the cleaning filter. The filter cap won't unscrew or screw on all the way. How do I get them out?
Thank you so much for the article. I pulled a bra underwire and a bag or belt hook out of the washing machine myself. I don't know what it was from (8 cm). Without my husband's help. I was afraid he'd scold me.
Thank you so much! I got it myself. I made a hook out of a hairpin and used an awl and pliers. Saved 400 hryvnias!
I realized the grinding noise in the machine was a fallen underwire. I examined everything myself that evening. In the morning, I asked my husband, but he couldn't do anything. I was just about to call a repairman, thinking I'd done it again. I looked in, turned the drum back and forth, and started smoothing each hole with my finger. And then it happened! I found the tip of the underwire! That was something!
Thanks for the tip :) It only took 3 minutes. I'm so glad!
Thank you so much! I removed the heating element, took out the pit, loaded it—it washed silently! The explanation was clear and understandable.
I didn't know how to get the bone out, and I had to finish the laundry. I decided—come what may!—and set the machine to rinse and spin on low. The grinding noise was terrible, and then suddenly it stopped, and I heard something scraping against the machine door. I stopped the wash, and there the bone had come out of the drum on its own! I don't know how it had miraculously done that.
Thank you so much for the detailed instructions. The machine's operation is very clearly described. I was ready to remove the heating element, but I felt a small bone in the drain fitting. I pushed it toward the drain hole on the bottom of the front wall of the machine. And then I pulled it out. Words cannot express how happy I am!
I got a bone in my hair, but I can't see it. I washed it afterward, and there were no other noises. What should I do? Wait. It might reappear, or should I call a professional?
A bone fell near the heating element. I tried to unscrew the back panel, but it wouldn't come loose. What should I do?
I got the bone out, but the lights are still blinking and the machine won't start. What should I do? Can you tell me?
Thank you so much! I was looking for a repair shop's phone number and stumbled upon this video. Everything was explained clearly. I couldn't see anything through the holes in the drum. My son and I removed the heating element and, fortunately, found the culprit. We had to make a long hook out of a knitting needle, and in about 20 minutes the car was saved. Thank you!!!
Thank you. Your article was very helpful. I'm overjoyed!
How do I remove the heating element? I tried, but it didn't work. Are the contacts soldered? Or not?