Do you ever need to access the drain plug on your washing machine but aren’t sure where to find it? Locating this important part is key for maintenance and clearing clogs. Read on for a guide to finding the drain plug on most standard washing machines.
Front-Load Washers
If you have a front-load washing machine, the drain plug is typically located behind the front access panel (the round door you open to put clothes in).
To access it:
- Unlatch the door and open it fully.
- Just inside and down near the bottom, you’ll see a small panel a few inches wide.
- Unscrew or unlatch this access panel – it may snap off or swing open.
- Behind it you’ll find a small round or square cap. This is the drain plug.
So on front-loaders, be sure to swing the door fully open, find the additional access panel, and behind that is your drain.
Top-Load Agitator Washers
If you have an older top-loading washer with an agitator (the central spindle inside the drum), then the procedure is a little different.
For these machines:
- Start by removing some of the clothing/items from the washer drum so you can access the bottom area easier.
- Reach your hand down into the empty part of the drum.
- Near the bottom-center should be a round drain cap – possibly ringed or threaded.
- Twist this plug counter-clockwise to unscrew and remove it.
So on old style top loader agitator machines, the drain itself sits centered at the base inside the drum. Just reach down to find and unscrew it.
Newer Top-Load Impeller Models
Newer top-load washing machines without an agitator utilize an impeller instead. On these, the drain plug procedure is more similar to front loaders:
- Lift the lid fully until it locks upright.
- Just inside the top opening, tucked down on the left or right front, is an access panel. Sometimes it just pulls open while others have clasps or screws to undo first.
- Open the panel and the drain plug port is inside (may be threaded or a push-twist drain cap).
So check inside the lip opening for the smaller panel, then access the plug behind it.
Locating Washer Drain Hoses
In addition to the main unit drain itself, most washers also have a detachable drain hose that leads to your home plumbing. This flexible hose can sometimes also clog.
To find it:
- Trace the outlet from the back of unit down to floor level where it hooks to a drain pipe or standpipe.
- Top loader hoses often attach mid-way up the machine back.
- Front load washers typically exit nearer the unit’s base.
So in addition to the central drain plug itself, inspecting washers’ drain hoses can prevent backups too.
Hopefully this guide gives you a better understanding of where to locate your washing machine’s drain plug. While placement varies a bit depending on style, most follow these similar methods. And checking both the main plug and outlet hoses prevents major clogging issues. Now you know where to look on your machine!
References
Appliance Technicians. “How to Unclog Your Washing Machine Drain.” HomeTips. https://hometips.com/repair-fix/washing-machine-drain-clog/
Goldstar Service. “Where is my Washer Drain Hose Located?” https://www.goldstarservice.com/tips-advice/where-is-my-washer-drain-hose-located/
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.