hi lulu its more than likely your filter if your lucky it would be on the front of machine. you have to pull the botton panel off and undo cap make sure you have a towel on floor cause water will come out.
if not on front like most hotpoint its at the back.
you have to remove the round/shape bit off metal then inside you will see a black cone shape rubber pipe you have to undo screw, pull down and then you can take filter out and give a good wash .
me88, March 2010
