The fine-meshed fabric, originally used for drinking water filtration, is the most effective solution. You can therefore filter your wastewater very finely with the GUPPYFRIEND washing machine filter starter set. This is made possible by the extra-large filter drainage surface area of the round filter cartridge. By eliminating a "bypass," the water is forced to flow through the filter. Don't worry: if you ever forget to clean the filter in time, it will not lead to an overflow. Your washing machine will automatically stop the wash cycle.

For particularly high effectiveness, we utilize the efficient operating principle of proven drinking water supply filters that have been used in private homes for decades. In this process, filter meshes of varying fineness are used in succession to reliably keep the smallest suspended particles out of the drinking water.

The GUPPYFRIEND washing machine filter plus set therefore uses filter cartridges of varying fineness that are used one after the other. This allows even the smallest microplastic particles to be filtered out.

However, even though the GUPPYFRIEND plus set does not let any recognizable fibers pass through in our laboratory tests, it does not make sense to speak of a 100% retention rate. Minute amounts of broken-off microplastic fibers may have disintegrated into such small fragments that they are barely detectable even microscopically. That is precisely why it is important to reduce the use of synthetic textiles and to pay attention to the high quality and durability of your clothing.

The GUPPYFRIEND washing machine filter can be installed on any standard washing machine for normal domestic use. You only need a little space for the filter, allowing you to turn your washing machine into a real "green washer" in no time at all.

Both the starter set and the plus set are compatible with every type of washing machine.

Depending on the installation location and the pump capacity of the washing machine, it may be necessary in a few cases to slightly increase the backpressure for wastewater filtration. For this purpose, we recommend reliable pumps that can be connected in front of the filter unit.

The starter set can retain particles larger than 150 µm.

The majority of fibers in washing machine wastewater are significantly longer than this. Due to their flexible nature, fibers adhere to the filter instead of piercing through the fabric opening like a needle. Our tests therefore show that even when using the starter set, hardly any fibers enter the wastewater.

The second cartridge in the plus set also retains fibers (>50 µm) that passed through the first filter due to their size or shape. In our tests, this corresponded to a share of up to 10% of the total amount.

Regarding the effectiveness and function of filters, we generally point out that the result depends significantly on the specific application. For the GUPPYFRIEND washing machine filters, this means: We test under practical conditions, i.e., with conventional washing machines, detergents, and laundry loads. Different textiles lead to different results.

One thing is certain: With the GUPPYFRIEND washing machine filter, washing bag, and detergent, you are perfectly equipped against microplastic pollution. If you also follow the rules of our washing guide and choose your clothing consciously, microplastics don't stand a chance.

Please note that we have developed our washing machine filters for use in normal households. Our filters are not designed for washing heavily soiled textiles such as cleaning rags and floor cloths. For heavily soiled laundry, the cleaning effort required for this type of filter would be very high. We offer individual solutions for this application.

The starter set includes:

• Housing and filter cartridge
• Wall mount
• Fine mesh screen with holder
• 2 x brass connection adapters
• 2 x hose clamps
• 1 x washing machine hose
• GUPPYFRIEND cleaning brush
• Instruction manual
• Special wrench for opening the housing

The plus set additionally includes another, finer-meshed filter unit, i.e., another housing with cartridge including holder and connecting piece.

After every wash cycle, open the drain tap to let the water in the housing drain out, and use the included fine mesh filter for this. You can dispose of the residue in your household waste. Then close the drain tap again. Finished. 

Cleaning the filter cartridge is a different matter. This depends on the textiles and the composition of your wash load, the degree of soiling, the choice of your detergent, and several other factors.  

Through the transparent housing, you can see when cleaning is necessary. You should clean the filter insert with the included brush approximately every fifth wash. Ensure that the housing is tightly sealed after reinsertion. 

Tip: With the GUPPYFRIEND washing bag, not only does your clothing last longer, but you also reduce the cleaning intervals because you efficiently prevent microplastics while still in the drum.  

Yes. We tested the GUPPYFRIEND washing machine filter with an independent laboratory. Here are the results. We also have certificates of conformity available, which we are happy to provide for review.

The GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag is the perfect addition to the washing machine filter. It prevents fiber breakage,
protects your clothing and keeps microplastics out of nature. When you use it
together with the GUPPYFRIEND washing machine filter, you need to clean the
cartridge less frequently and extend the durability of your textiles. 

It makes absolutely no sense to scrap a washing machine that is still in working order just to purchase a new model with an integrated filter. In contrast, it is sensible and recommended to upgrade functional washing machines with our external filter.

Because every wash is different. Depending on the laundry load, the material of the clothes, the temperature, the amount of shedding fibers, the quantity of dirt particles, and residues from the detergent used, the filter surface clogs at different rates. The filter must therefore make it visible how much material has been collected and when the cartridge needs to be cleaned. The GUPPYFRIEND washing machine filter does this in an understandable and transparent way thanks to its transparent housing.

All you need is a little bit of space. The wall area for your GUPPYFRIEND washing machine filter must be directly next to the washing machine with sufficient room. Ideally, about 40 cm in width and 60 cm in height. Attention: You will also need some space underneath for a container when emptying the housing. The filter should not be mounted more than 20 cm above the top edge of the washing machine. After drilling the mounting holes, you must first attach the wall bracket and then screw the filter onto it. Please read our instructions carefully before you begin the installation.

Yes. Professional staff is not required. If you can assemble an IKEA cabinet, you can manage this too.

You should have a few tools ready: a cordless drill depending on the nature of the wall, a masonry/wood/metal drill bit (recommended: diameter 6 mm), a Phillips screwdriver, and a tape measure/ruler to mark the drilling holes. A spirit level is also useful. You can find all the details on this in our manual as well.

The GUPPYFRIEND washing machine filter makes the invisible visible. Thanks to the transparent housing, you can easily see what you have protected nature from. After just a few washes, the gray synthetic fiber sludge on the filter cartridges is clearly visible. This allows you to see in good time when it is time to clean the filter cartridge. In principle, the frequency of cleaning depends on many factors, such as the composition of your textiles or their degree of soiling. See also: When and how often should I drain the water in the housing and clean the filter(s)?

Yes.

No. Even if the filter is completely clogged, correctly installed and closed GUPPYFRIEND washing machine filters remain leak-proof and the washing machine will simply switch to error mode. After cleaning the filter, the wash program can continue or be restarted.

Household washing machines switch to fault mode as soon as the wash cycle cannot be completed within the specified timeframe. Reasons for this may include:

• that the wastewater contains a large amount of microplastics or other suspended particles and therefore clogs the filter: Required action: clean the cartridge.
• that the filter is mounted too high, meaning the internal drain pump's performance is insufficient: Required action: mount the filter at a max. height of 90 cm.
• that a potentially invisible microfilm has formed on the filter: Required action: clean the cartridge.
• that the drain is blocked by a kink in the drain hose: Required action: check the hose.

To avoid faults, it is generally sufficient to clean the GUPPYFRIEND washing machine filter regularly. If the drain pump is very weak, an additionally installed drain pump may be helpful (see operating instructions).

Not all washing machines require an additional pump unit to reliably transport wastewater through the filter. Depending on the installation location and the pumping capacity of the washing machine, however, it may be necessary to slightly increase the back pressure for wastewater filtration. For this purpose, we recommend reliable pumps that can be installed upstream of the filter unit.

No.

Although the wastewater cannot bypass the filter, even if the microplastics are not removed over a longer period of time, this will not lead to an overflow, but rather to an automatic shutdown of the wash program.