Learning how to clean a dishwasher filter can help keep your appliance running properly and leave your dishes sparkling. The filter traps loose particles of food and greasy residue, preventing them from being redeposited onto the dishes. Your filter needs a good cleaning at least once a month, especially if you notice an odor, soap residue, or remaining food particles on your dishes. You can use vinegar, baking soda, or a commercial dishwasher cleaner.
Cleaning the filter takes only a few minutes and uses supplies you probably have on hand. Read on to learn how to clean a dishwasher filter so your dishes can look brand new.
Locate the Dishwasher Filter
Remove the bottom rack and find the filter on the floor of the dishwasher. Most filters are round and twist into place. Some are just one singular cylindrical piece, and others have a secondary flat filter.
Remove the Filter
Twist the cylindrical filter to unlock it—most will unlock by turning counter-clockwise to remove it. If present, remove a second flat filter as well.
Mix Hot Water and Dishwashing Liquid
Fill a sink or large bowl with hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Use a good detergent that contains a degreaser for easier cleaning.
Soak and Scrub the Filter
Place the filter(s) in the cleaning solution and allow it to soak for a few minutes to loosen the debris. Scrub away any debris trapped in the filter with a sponge, old toothbrush, or soft-bristled brush.
Rinse Well
Flush the filter(s) with hot water, ensuring all of the debris is removed and the filter no longer feels greasy to the touch.
Wipe Down the Filter Housing
Dip a sponge or dishcloth in the hot soapy water and wipe down the opening where the filter was removed to get rid of any food particles or grease build-up.
Reinstall the Filter
Reverse the steps you used to remove the filters. Replace the flat filter first, if there is one. Next, insert the freshly cleaned cylindrical filter making sure to lock it securely in place.
Tips to Keep Your Dishwasher Filter Clean Longer
- Scrape away excess food from the dishes before you load them into the dishwasher.
- Once a month, when the dishwasher is empty, run a cleaning cycle to help cut through any greasy build-up on the interior and the filter. Put two cups of distilled white vinegar in an open container on the top rack. Run a regular hot water wash cycle to complete the cleaning.
- Avoid placing certain materials in it, including paper labels, wooden spoons, etc., that can easily break off and cause debris.
Where is the Dishwasher Filter?
The dishwasher filter is at the bottom of your dishwasher, under the bottom rack. To find it, pull out the bottom dish rack, then look for the filter—it’s usually either in one of the back corners of the dishwasher tub or around the base of the bottom spray arm.
Cleaning a Dishwasher Filter Step-by-Step
After accessing the dishwasher filter, you can keep it clean with the help of running water from the sink and a soft cleaning brush for gently scrubbing away calcium deposits and other stuck-on food bits.
Step 1: Locate and Remove Your Dishwasher Filter
To access your dishwasher filter, remove your lower dish rack to expose the bottom of your dishwasher. The filter can be found in either a back corner of the dishwasher tub or around the base of the bottom spray arm.
Many dishwasher filters are composed of two parts: an upper and lower filter assembly. Give the upper filter a quarter turn clockwise and take it out.
Then, gently lift and pull the lower filter forward to remove it.
Step 2: Clean Your Filter
To clean, run water over your dishwasher filter to remove most soils.
As you wash the dishwasher filter, you may need to use a soft brush and dish soap on calcium deposits and other hard-to-remove food debris. Don’t use a wire brush, scouring pad, or anything rough to scrub the filter as these materials could damage the filter.
Step 3: Return the Dishwasher Filter to the Tub
Return the lower filter to the bottom of the dishwasher tub, placing it properly under the tabs so the upper filter will line up with the round opening in the bottom of the tub.
Fit the upper filter into the opening on the top of the lower filter.
Turn the filter clockwise until you feel it glide into place. If your filter still turns freely, it’s not seated properly. Keep turning it clockwise until it locks.
Do not run your dishwasher without first making sure the filter is locked. Check both the upper and lower filter assemblies. A loose filter could damage your dishwasher.
Remember that if the upper filter still turns clockwise, it’s not securely locked. The arrow on the upper filter does not have to line up perfectly with the arrow on the lower filter. As long as the filter is locked, your dishwasher can run optimally.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher Filter?
In general, cleaning your dishwasher’s filter every three to six months can help keep your appliance running at peak performance. How often you should clean your filter depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of filter you have, how frequently you use your dishwasher, and how much debris the appliance takes on.
Why is Cleaning the Dishwasher Filter Important?
Keeping your dishwasher filter clean is one key to avoid cloudy glassware and maintain sparkling dishes. Often, clogged filters can cause problems like your dishwasher not cleaning. In fact, the filter is responsible for:
- Protecting the pump from being clogged by oversized or foreign objects.
- Cleaning and clearing the dishwater.
- Keeping food particles from recirculating and resticking to your dishes.
That’s a big job. So, periodically cleaning the filter helps prevent buildup and clogs, keeping your appliance running smoothly.
Cleaning your dishwasher filter on a regular basis can help your dishwasher perform at its best, load after load. The table below offers helpful recommendations you can use as guidance for establishing your own filter cleaning schedule.
If You Wash Before Loading
Up to 14 loads per week: clean once per year
If You Only Scrape Before Loading
1–7 loads per week: clean twice per year
8–14 loads per week: clean every three months
If You Scrape and Rinse Before Loading
1–7 loads per week: clean once per year
8–14 loads per week: clean twice per year
If You Do Not Scrape or Rinse Before Loading
1–3 loads per week: clean every two months
4–7 loads per week: clean once per month
8–12 loads per week: clean every two weeks
13–14 loads per week: clean once per week
Signs Your Dishwasher Filter Needs Cleaning
You can help keep your dishwasher working properly by cleaning the filter on a regular basis. How often you’ll need to clean your filter can depend on several factors, like appliance usage or dish soil level.
You should also clean your filter if you’re noticing any of the following issues:
- Soil or other food particles are visible.
- Cleaning performance has worsened (e.g., there are food remnants on your dishes after a cycle).
- Dishes are gritty or grimy to the touch after they’ve been cleaned.
To help prevent these issues, it’s best to clean your dishwasher filter regularly.
Do All Dishwashers Have Filters That Need Cleaning?
Some dishwashers may come with advanced filtration features that help filter out food bits and debris easily, limiting the need for routine maintenance and helping you focus on other kitchen cleanup tasks. Consult the owner’s manual to learn more about the specific features of your particular dishwasher type and model.
