Every few months, like I did today, I take the filter out of the washing machine and check that there's no golf tees, coins or anything else I may have left in the pocket of trousers when I've washed them. We've had a succession of Bosch washing machines, The filter is behind a cover in the bottom corner of the front of the machine and it unscrews. But it's possible that something like a hairgrip could get stuck half in and out of the filter, preventing it from turning. That then is a big problem as you have to get into the machine and disconnect the drain hose from the drum and the pump and fish around for the blockage from that side. I've only had to do that once.
