The knack is to clean it at least once a month.Undo it and push filter back and forth and hopefully it will get looser and looser until you are able to remove it.I have ended up breaking the cap to gain access and the whole thing costs around £10.to remove the whole thing remove the plastic plinth,remove 3 screw and then quarter twist and push whole unit inside machine casing.now go underneath front and disconnect hoses/electric until it can be totally removed from the machine
CK
July 2012