How to remove a bra underwire from an LG washing machine

Any small object accidentally dropped into the washing machine can cause serious damage if not removed promptly. Often, users don't even worry about something as small as a paper clip, needle, or small bra wire, as these items may seem too small to cause any harm. But in reality, if you don't remove a bra wire from your LG washing machine, it alone can damage your beloved "home assistant," requiring complex and expensive repairs. To prevent this from happening to you, we've written this article, detailing the main methods for removing wires from your appliance.

Why is this part dangerous for LG washing machines?

It's hard to believe, but a bra bone is considered one of the most dangerous objects that can get stuck in an LG direct-drive washing machine. If a metal bra bone comes loose during a wash cycle, it could easily slip through the holes in the drum and end up at the very bottom of the machine. Why is this so bad?

• While the drum is spinning rapidly, a bra underwire can become lodged transversely in the drum, catch on the drum, and penetrate the plastic drum wall. This will cause a leak in the machine, which will require urgent repair to restore the washing machine's usability.
• The bone can also get stuck transversely between the heating element and the drum, causing the drum, which is spinning at a high speed, to completely tear out the heating element, which will have to be replaced.
• The bone can also tear the cuff, causing fluid to leak out of the unit during the operating cycle directly through the hatch door.
• The worst situation is when the bone completely blocks the movement of the drum, causing the machine to display an error and stop working.

But how can you tell if a bra underwire has found its way into the washing machine's tub? First, carefully examine all your underwear to ensure the underwire is truly gone. Next, you need to rotate the drum with your hands in different directions and listen - if you hear a grinding sound, and the drum itself jams a little, then the bone is inside. Additionally, you can check the drum with a flashlight, examining the bottom through the holes - usually the bra underwire is clearly visible to the naked eye.

You can also tell if there's a problem by the sound, so if possible, try to listen carefully to the operation of your LG direct-drive washing machine, as any foreign object will definitely give itself away with a grinding or clanking sound.

We've figured out how to find the bone in the washing machine's drum, now it's time to figure out how to get it out. It won't be an easy task!

Basic methods for removing foreign objects

It's extremely rare to catch a bone while still in the drum. If you're so lucky, you should immediately check the condition of the rubber seal located along the edges of the door. If the seal is damaged, it will need to be repaired or completely replaced. However, a damaged seal is nothing compared to a bone falling into the drum.

If this happens to you, first turn off your appliance, as it is prohibited to wash clothes in the washing machine while a foreign object is still inside. Immediately afterward, choose a method for removing the pit. All options can be divided into those that require disassembling the appliance and those that do not. As strange as it may seem, the methods for disassembling the "home assistant" at home are simpler, so it's better to try to start with them. First, we will describe how to remove the bone through the heating element seat.

• We de-energize the SM and disconnect it from communications.
• We turn the equipment so that you have access to the back of the washing machine.
• If your appliance has a service hatch, simply open it. If there isn't one, you'll have to unscrew the screws and remove the back panel.
• Looking inside, you will find a round metal cover for the inverter motor located on the back wall of the tank.
• Next, you need to find the large contacts with wires that are located directly under the motor - this is part of the water heating element that we need.
• The heating element is located in the tank, but first you need to disconnect all the wires from the contacts.

Be sure to take a photo of the wiring so that when you reassemble it, you have a visual example of how the wires are connected.

• We unscrew the nut that holds the heating element located between the contacts.
• At this stage, you should grab the heating element with both hands and carefully pull it towards you, gently rocking the part in different directions.
• Now, through the hole that appeared after removing the heating element, you need to remove the bra underwire, which is most conveniently done with tweezers or a wire with a hook on the end.

These instructions are applicable if the bone has fallen to the bottom of the drum, but if it's in the drain hose, there's no point in removing the heating element, as the bone won't be able to be removed through that hole. In that case, you'll have to remove and clean the drain hose, which will require partially disassembling the machine and accessing the bottom of the unit. There, you'll need to remove the hose and, through the resulting opening, reach into the drum with your hand and remove the bone. How do you do this?

• Check that the washing machine is not connected to the water supply and electricity network.
• Move the appliances to the center of the bathroom or to a room with plenty of free space.
• Remove the compartment for powder, gel and other household chemicals.
• Place your "home helper" on her side.
• Depending on your washing machine model, either remove the screws or the clips to remove the bottom.
• Remove the pipe and clean it.

Usually, in order to remove the pipe, it is necessary to also remove the pump, for which you first need to disconnect the sensor from it and remove the two screws that secure the pump.

• Now, using the same tweezers or wire, remove the bone.

All that remains is to reassemble the machine according to the instructions in reverse order and place it back on its legs.

Is it possible to not disassemble the machine?

If for some reason you don't want to disassemble your appliance at home but have a lot of free time, you can try removing a small object without disassembling it. To do this, you'll need a flashlight, a wire with a hook on the end, and incredible dexterity and patience.

• Open the car hatch.
• Turn on the flashlight and place it in the drum in such a position that it clearly illuminates the bottom of the tank.
• Next, try to see the location of the bra underwire.
• Once you've discovered the missing piece, thread the wire through the hole closest to the bone and try to hook it out, which could take half an hour or more.
• Once the bone is hooked, you need to gently rock the drum until the bone is in a vertical position.
• Afterwards, the drum should be carefully rotated so that the bra bone falls into any of the holes in the drum, which can also take a long period of time.
• At the final stage, all that remains is to pick up the bone and pull it out with pliers.

All of the above is extremely inconvenient to do alone, since you will have to stick your head into the hatch, control the wire with one hand, and turn the drum with the other, so it is better to call a friend for help.

Considering the time and effort required to extract the pit with wire, it is sometimes much easier to partially disassemble an LG washing machine with a direct drive.

It's better to prevent a problem than to solve it later.

It's much better not to choose between disassembling the machine and using a wire, but to prevent small objects from getting into the drum in the first place. Every housewife knows that before washing, it's important to check all pockets of clothes to ensure that coins, credit cards, keys, and other items that have absolutely no place in a washing machine don't end up in the drum.

But while pockets are easy, the same can't be said for underwear, as you can't disassemble it before each wash. Some even recommend not washing underwear in the washing machine at all, as it causes more wear and tear. But if you don't want to wash your clothes by hand, experts recommend purchasing special laundry containers, which will ensure your underwear is washed and prevent foreign objects from getting into the washing machine's internal components. What's more, using a special bra container will even help maintain the shape of the foam cups, so you don't have to worry about your underwear when using these types of washing machines.

Ultimately, there's no need to panic and immediately call a service center technician if a bra bone, paper clip, or other small object gets stuck in your LG direct-drive washing machine. You can always call a technician, but first, try to handle the problem yourself at home, now that you have all the necessary instructions at hand.

   

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