If your washer’s drain hose is cracked, replace it with the maker’s part, such as Whirlpool’s 6-foot W11281268 for compatible washers; if it is just too short, Whirlpool’s DRNEXT4 kit adds 4 feet with a coupler and two clamps. Secure the hose at the standpipe so it cannot pop out.
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This guide covers washing machine drain hoses and extensions.
Washer drain hoses compared
| Product | What it is | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Whirlpool W11281268 | 6 ft. replacement drain hose with elbow bracket and 1-in. coupler (maker) | Your Whirlpool-family washer’s own hose is cracked or leaking |
| Whirlpool DRNEXT4 | 4 ft. extension kit with coupler and two clamps (maker) | Your hose is fine but too short to reach the drain |
| Eastman 60357 | 8 ft. universal discharge hose (listing) | You need a longer universal hose |
The washer drain hose carries used water from the washer pump to a standpipe, laundry sink or floor drain. A leaking or cracked hose dumps water on the floor every cycle, and a hose that is too short tempts people to pull it tight or rest it badly in the standpipe.
Whirlpool W11281268: OEM replacement hose
Choose the Whirlpool W11281268 to replace a damaged hose on a compatible washer. Whirlpool lists (whirlpool.com) a 6-foot black flexible washer drain hose with an elbow bracket, a gray 90-degree coupler with a 1-inch inner diameter, and a metal clamp. Whirlpool notes that replacing it means removing washer panels, transferring the old clamps, basic tools and novice repair experience, and that you must unplug the washer or shut off its circuit first.
Check your washer model against the part before ordering. On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by Amazon.com showed stock with part W11281268.
Check Whirlpool W11281268 washer drain hose on Amazon →
Whirlpool DRNEXT4: 4-foot extension kit
Choose the Whirlpool DRNEXT4 when the hose just will not reach. Whirlpool lists (whirlpool.com) a 4-foot corrugated extension kit with one fitted end, a hose coupler and two wire clamps, used to extend the drain hose to a sink, tub or drain hole. Whirlpool says the corrugated hose resists kinking compared with rubber, has a larger inside diameter that is less likely to plug, and is compatible with many major brands; check your model.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by Amazon.com showed limited stock with model DRNEXT4.
Check Whirlpool DRNEXT4 drain hose extension kit on Amazon →
Eastman 60357: 8-foot universal hose
Choose the Eastman 60357 for a long universal replacement. The listing describes an 8-foot SSD-style plastic washing machine discharge hose. We could not reach an Eastman product page, so check the end fitting size against your washer’s pump outlet before buying.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by Amazon.com showed stock under the Eastman 60357 title.
Check Eastman 60357 8 ft. washer discharge hose on Amazon →
Into the standpipe: height and fit
Most washers drain into a standpipe, a vertical pipe with a trap. The code sets standpipe height; our standpipe height guide explains the IRC and UPC numbers measured above the trap weir.
Follow your washer’s installation instructions for how far the hose goes into the standpipe and how to secure it. Use the hose’s elbow bracket or a strap so the hose cannot jump out under pump pressure, and do not seal the hose airtight into the pipe unless the washer maker says to.
Extension or longer hose?
An extension adds a joint, and every joint is a place to leak, so clamp both ends of the coupler tightly as Whirlpool’s kit provides. A longer replacement hose avoids the joint but may mean opening the washer to change it. If you only need a little more reach, an extension is the quicker fix.
When you route the hose, avoid sharp bends where it goes over the back of the washer or into the standpipe; the elbow bracket on Whirlpool’s hose holds a smooth curve for that reason. Do not let the hose lie on the floor and then rise steeply, because water sitting in a low loop can drain back or slow the pump. Keep the hose clear of the dryer vent and anything hot.
Keep the total hose length and lift within your washer maker’s limits; a pump that has to push water a long way or high up can drain slowly or leave water in the tub.
Draining into a laundry sink
A washer can drain into a laundry tub if the hose is secured over the edge so it cannot slip. Check that the tub drain keeps up with the washer pump, and keep the tub strainer clean of lint. Our utility sink guide covers laundry tubs, and whether a washer may drain into one depends on local rules.
Supply hoses are a separate part
Signs the drain hose needs replacing
Look for water on the floor only during the drain or spin part of a cycle, a hose that is cracked, stiff or flattened where it bends over the washer or standpipe, or a hose that pops out of the standpipe. A kink can also make the washer drain slowly or stop mid-cycle with water in the tub. Replace a damaged hose rather than taping it; tape rarely holds against pump pressure and lint.
Drain odors
Odors at the washer usually come from residue in the washer or a dry trap, not the hose itself. Whirlpool recommends running its washing machine cleaner once a month to reduce odor-causing residue in the washer drain. If the smell comes from the standpipe, run water into it to refill the trap, and check that the standpipe has a trap at all.
The two hoses on the back of the washer that bring hot and cold water in are supply hoses, not drain hoses, and they are under constant pressure. A burst supply hose can flood a room quickly because it is under constant pressure. Our washing machine hose guide covers braided supply hoses, and our outlet box valve guide covers the shutoffs.
A washer drain pan under the machine catches small leaks before they reach the floor.
Replacing a drain hose safely
- Unplug the washer or shut off its circuit, as Whirlpool instructs, and turn off the water supply valves.
- Have towels and a bucket ready; the hose and pump hold water.
- Follow the washer service instructions to reach the pump connection, move the clamps to the new hose and push it fully onto the outlet.
- Route the hose without kinks, secure it at the standpipe or sink and run a short drain cycle to check for leaks.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a washer drain hose be?
Follow your washer maker’s limits. Extensions like Whirlpool’s 4-foot DRNEXT4 kit add reach, but too much length or height can make the pump drain slowly.
What size is a washer drain hose?
Whirlpool lists a 1-inch inner diameter coupler on the W11281268. Sizes vary by washer, so check your washer’s part number.
Can I extend a washing machine drain hose?
Yes, with a kit such as the Whirlpool DRNEXT4, which includes a 4-foot hose, coupler and two clamps.
Should the drain hose be sealed into the standpipe?
Follow the washer instructions; generally secure it so it cannot pop out but do not seal it airtight unless the maker says to.
Is the drain hose the same as the supply hose?
No. Supply hoses bring water in under pressure; the drain hose carries used water out to the standpipe or sink.
How we chose
This document-based guide makes no hands-on testing claim. We read Whirlpool’s pages for the W11281268 drain hose and DRNEXT4 extension kit. The Eastman hose is described from its listing. On October 15, 2026, all three linked standard new offers were sold by Amazon.com and showed stock or limited stock. Read our selection method and about Plumbing Picks.
Primary sources
- Whirlpool W11281268 washer drain hose (whirlpool.com): 6 ft., elbow bracket, 1 in. coupler, clamp, replacement notes, unplug warning.
- Whirlpool DRNEXT4 drain hose extension kit (whirlpool.com): 4 ft. corrugated, coupler, two clamps, kink and plug resistance, compatibility.