Hi,

I have managed to get a bra wire stuck in my wash machine. I have looked around the drum but cannot see it anywhere. However when I run a cycle I can hear it rattling around. Am scared it will break it. How can I open the drum and remove said wire? The washing machine is a Hoover HNL6166 Nextra.

Thanks

Kay, November 2008

I had this once and was probably lucky, but with the machine drained I turned the drum very slowly by hand. Both ways if it will go. I couldn't believe my luck when the wire got caught in one of the drum holes and poked through enough for me to grab it with pliers.

I suspect I was just amazingly lucky, but worth a try before you dismantle the machine.

Jon, September 2022

Bra wire in my washing machine and it will not fill with water come right back out x

Christ, September 2022

Rinse and Spin empty washing mashing couple of times and turn drum by hand couple of times I managed to get it out with ouout taking the w washing machine to bits.

Eva, May 2013

just followed every ones advice and got the littlte bleeder out thanx

lesley, August 2012

If you are brave you can often get at bra wires by removing the heating element. Disconnect the machine from both water and electricity. With most machines you can remove the back, or a panel in the back. The heating element will usually be found at the bottom of the drum. You can usually recognise it by the fact it has three wires connected to it.
The method of fitting varies from machine to machine. In my case there was a rubber seal that could be released with just one nut.
If you can get the element out, shine a torch in and see if you can spot the wire. I managed to get hold of mine with a wire coathanger straightened and then bent into a small hook. With that I could get it close enough to grip with pointed pliers.
This operation is easier if you lie the machine on its front, but put an old towel or something similar on the floor to prevent scratching the machine and to absord the small amount of water that will probably be released.

Peter Brown, August 2011

we have just succesfully removed a bra wire from a whirlpool AWO/R5406. Drain off any water from the filter at front bottom, disconnect electricity and drain pipe. Take back off, tip machine on its side, underneath the drum there is a black rubber drain hose with a metal circlet around it. Carefully pull it off (sharp metal keep plasters handy!) There is a ball and rubber cup inside dont lose it! Set machine upright again and manoevre wire with some thin stiff plastic from inside the drum, you may need a torch to shine through the holes. We used a plastic cable tie. Fish out with your fingers from the hole underneath the drum. Then tip it on its side again and put it all back together again. Really simple.

Jenny, March 2009

This has happened to me. I chose to let it spin in the machine. It shouldnt damage it as it spins in another drum. It is imposible to separtate the drums without damage to the seals. To find the wire will be very difficult as you dont know excactly where it is. You could try using a garden house as well and spray water inside the drum to try and move it, but still the wire spinnning will only make a noise. The wire is more malluble than the drum.

D Taylor, December 2008

god.....why is it always bra wires?
Drain machine by running the outlet pipe into a bucket at floor level or run the outlet pipe out of the back door if it'll reach. Disconnect the sump hose (the big one which connects to the filter or pump) from bottom of drum and try to wiggle the item out. If that doesnt work you'll have to disconnect and remove the heater which should give another vantage point. Use a torch and a long thin stick to move the item to the sump outlet. When replacing the heater ensure it locates properly in its retaining clip inside the drum. This stops it contacting the moving drum- VERY IMPORTANT.

Repair and service your own washing machine. Go to www.2ndwave.co.uk/manual.html

dannyboy, November 2008