Before you call an expensive repair technician, you should know that is one of the most common (and easiest to fix) washing machine problems.

There is nothing quite as frustrating as the sound of a washing machine finishing its cycle, only to open the door and find your clothes sitting in a pool of dirty, soapy water. Or worse—a puddle of water spreading across your laundry room floor.

Take the hose outside to your driveway or yard. Stick a garden hose into the end of the drain hose and turn the water on full blast. The water pressure will usually blow the sludge out the other end like a cannon.

If you don’t have an outdoor space, use a flexible drain cleaning brush (or a straightened coat hanger with a small hook bent into the end). Gently push it through the hose from the machine side. You will likely pull out a disgusting "lint slug." Wear gloves!