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Think of the humble washing machine, which works around the clock to deal with the dirt on your work clothes and the smell on small pieces of clothing. Over time, all lint, dirt, fat, and soap residues will accumulate inside the washing machine, and without knowing it, the washing machine will not drain.

Clogging of washing machines is a common problem. You may notice that the clothes are not as dry after spinning, or the washing machine is not completely draining, if any. In the case of a clogged drain pipe, water may even enter the machine when it is empty. Although we can help you find the perfect new washing machine, the following advice may not be needed at all because it can provide a repair.

If your washing machine or dryer is not draining, you will most likely see water in the drum and you will not be able to open the door. The first step is to unplug the machine from the power source and drain the water. Before you begin, find a large, flat tray, an old towel or two, and some containers-empty plastic baby bottles are ideal. When you fill the container, it may be helpful to have someone else present to empty the container.

For most new machines, you will find a service hatch at the bottom of the front panel. Open it and look for the emergency drain hose. If not, you need to go to the back of the machine and untie the main drain hose from the standpipe. Raise the end to the top of the machine.

Place the flat tray under the drain hose to catch any small spills. Pinch the hose when removing any plugs from the end, then put it in a container, loosen it, and if necessary, lower it below the water level in the machine-the water should start to flow out. If the machine is full, you may fill many containers before emptying them. You may need to pinch or lift the hose when switching.

After the machine is empty, you need to find the problem. Sometimes, it's as simple as a lost coin clogging the pump. Behind the machine's service hatch, you will usually see a cookie-sized round access cover-place a tray under it to catch the water, then carefully unscrew and remove it.

This will show the impeller of the pump. Put on rubber gloves, put your fingers in, remove all obstacles and check whether the impeller will rotate; you may feel some resistance from the motor. Look for any openings near the impeller, but be careful when unclogging them-don't get your fingers caught.

If there is a filter—usually attached to the access cover—remove any lint, sludge or scale, and then do the same inside the machine; wiping with a damp cloth may be sufficient. Make sure that the threads and seals on the machine and the cover are clean and free of any glue, then tighten the cover, being careful not to cross the threads. Wipe around the lid with a paper towel to make sure the area is completely dry.

It's time for a quick test. Choose a washing program, start the machine, and let it fill up for a short while before using the program selector to stop it. Now select the drain program and test whether it drains. If so, skip to step 5-but first, check around the pump inlet hatch. If any water seeps out, you need to take it out, clean and reinstall it. A small amount of petroleum jelly or petroleum grease will help ensure a waterproof seal.

If cleaning the pump does not help, you need to check the main drain hose and standpipe. You may need to put on rubber gloves and put down the towel.

Unplug the machine again, and if necessary, pull it forward to leave room behind. Check for any kinks or twists on the full length of the drain hose. If you can't see anything, pull the hose out of the riser and remove any obvious clumps, then work along the length of the hose, bend as much as possible to feel for any obvious blockages.

You can break the blockage by bending the hose or poking them with a straightened hanger.

Next, check for water on the outside of the riser pipe-if it is wet, it may be that the drain pipe itself is blocked. A strong drain cleaner may help, but be careful when pouring in-if the drain is completely blocked, corrosive chemicals may overflow the pipe.

In all cases, be careful when replacing the hose in the riser. Don't push it too far, and make sure there is a gap around it to allow trapped air to escape. Allow any time for the drain cleaner to work, and then repeat the drain test from step 3.

If the washing machine drains water, push it back to its original position, but at the same time check whether the hose is squeezed. If necessary, use the U-shaped rail provided to prevent kinks near the riser.

If your washing machine still does not drain, it may be time to ask a professional. Before calling a maintenance person, please double check that the riser is draining properly; try to quickly pour a few liters of water. If it is still backing up, you may need a plumber.

Once your washing machine drains properly, it is best to clean it thoroughly to remove as much dirt as possible. First, empty the machine, set the hottest washing program possible, add ordinary detergent and let the program end. This will help dissolve fatty deposits and kill mold and bacteria in the machine and standpipe.

Next, purchase a washing machine descaling agent designed for single-use applications and follow the package instructions to descale the machine. This will remove scale on heating elements and other components and help prevent other materials from coalescing around them.

Prevent future blockages and extend the service life of the machine through preventive maintenance. Consider using a conventional descaling agent such as Calgon to prevent the accumulation of scale. Clean the pump and filter according to the above procedure every six months or so.

You may also want to consider actively using sink dredges in your riser pipes-but please note that these chemicals are very destructive to the environment; we would not recommend it unless you know that your riser has a habit of clogging.

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Trusted Reviews was established in 2004 to provide our readers with comprehensive, fair and independent buying advice.

Today, we have 9 million monthly users worldwide and evaluate more than 1,000 products every year.

Editorial independence means being able to make fair judgments about the product or company while avoiding conflicts of interest. To ensure that this is possible, each member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.

We also hope that our journalists follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our employees must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the guidelines of practice edited by IPSO to support these standards.

Products tested and reviewed since 2003