FAQs - Microplastics Lint Luv-R filter
Wall mount installation video
Cleaning video
Q: Can the filter be mounted at a 90-degree angle next to the washing machine?
A: Yes as long as the filter is still in the vertical orientation however.
Q: How do I know when the filter needs to be cleaned? Why is there an odor sometimes?
A: When you don't do laundry for a few days the water that is present in the lint filter bowl becomes stagnant and will produce an unpleasant odor if you remove the filter bowl. If you notice that the filter needs to be cleaned (after a few weeks of doing laundry, you can't see the metal screen anymore, or if you notice that your clothes are wetter than normal after the wash cycle is complete) wait until you complete your first load of laundry before opening the filter bowl. This will flush out the stagnant water and leave "fresh" laundry wastewater in the filter bowl when you go to clean it.
Another tip is to put some foam or a cloth around any air gaps that may be present where the drain hose enters into your standpipe. This will prevent the smell from coming back into your laundry room when the washing machine discharges the stagnant water. Also ensure that the drain hose extends into the standpipe at least one foot if possible.
Q: What happens if I don’t clean the filter?
A: If you don’t clean the filter you will likely experience the following: newer machines will likely stop with flow faults or errors or you will need to run another spin cycle because your washing machine will not have enough time to pump out all of the water during the regular cycle. A true sign is that your clothes will be excessively wet after the wash cycle and they will take much longer to dry.
Q: What are some methods that work for cleaning the lint off the screen?
A: Dump the water that is present in the filter bowl through a large coffee filter to prevent the captured lint from going down the sink drain in preparation for cleaning of the filter.
Use a dog/cat grooming wire brush with a hand to clean the lint filter. The brush is available at any pet store.
Some people like best to clean the filter by spraying it outside with a garden hose. Another option has been to scrape it with a plastic putty knife.
People sometimes use a cloth rag and rub it on the screen in a circular motion. The fibers stick to the cloth like a magnet.
Plant based detergents and no softeners are best to use with the filter.
To clean, degrease and deodorize the filter it is best to use hot water, vinegar, baking soda and a bottle cleaning brush.
Q: Does the filter have a bypass?
A: The filter does not have a bypass as it defeats the purpose of the filter – It is designed to handle any increase in pressure and will never let lint into your septic system, even if you forget to clean it.
Q: Does the filter do harm to my washing machine?
A: The back pressure is very minimal (about 2 lbs per square inch) while operating. I used my filter on my original top load machine for 12 years without any issues. The front load machines use less water and therefore do not need to flow as much water out of the machine. A washing machine costs far less to replace than a septic system. If you clean the filter at least once a month you shouldn't have any issues with the longevity of your machine.
Q: Do I need to buy replacement parts? Who do I call?
A: The filter head quad seal sometimes needs replacing after many years of service or if it swells from using petroleum based lubricants on it. Occasionally someone drops and cracks the filter bowl. Those are usually all that ever gets replaced. The filter is made of stainless steel and does not require replacement. Contact us if you need to order parts or have questions
Q: What is the most challenging part of the installation of the filter and what are some tips?
A: The most challenging part of the installation is adapting your washing machine hose to the inlet fitting of the lint filter.
If the inside diameter of your washing machine hose is 1 ¼ inches or (32 mm):
You should be able to cut a short piece of the pliable hose (2-3 inches) that comes with the lint filter kit and place it over the inlet fitting. Your washing machine hose should fit right over this piece of hose, seal and secure with a hose clamp also included in the kit.
If the outside diameter of your washing machine hose is 1 inch or (25mm):
My suggestion is to clean up the end of your washing machine really well(outside diameter) and cut off about a 4 inch piece of the clear plastic hose(supplied with the kit) to use as a coupling. Insert the end of your washing machine hose into one end of the 4 inch clear plastic hose and secure with a hose clamp. Join the opposite end of the clear hose onto the intake elbow fitting of the filter and secure with a clamp. Make sure clamps are tightened with a screw driver.
If the inside diameter of your washing machine hose is 1 inch or (25mm):
You should be able to slide it directly over the inlet fitting of the filter and secure with the supplied clamp. Make sure that the inside diameter of your washing machine hose is cleaned before installing to prevent possibility of leakage. If there is some looseness of this fit wrap teflon tape (supplied with the kit) around the inlet fitting to take up the space. Keep adding more until the hose just goes over the inlet fitting. You may need to secure the hose with 2 clamps if you are getting some leakage while only using 1 clamp to secure.
If the outside diameter of your washing machine hose is less than 1 inch or (25mm):
You will need to purchase a hose barb adapter that will fit the inside diameter of your washing hose to the 1 inch (25mm) hose barb fitting of the inlet of the filter.
Can I use this filter as a pre-filter for my whole house water supply?
You can use our washing machine filter as a pre filter for your water supply system but you would need to buy a separate filter housing from a hardware store. Most standard water filter housings should fit - Rainfresh housing will fit for sure.
The reason being that our filter housing has been modified for the extra flow required out of the washing machine. The port sizes are drilled out larger and therefore the walls are thinner and may not handle the increased water supply pressures (80 pounds per square inch). Washing machine discharge pressures rarely are more than 5- 10 PSI.
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