How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter
Turn off the dishwasher, remove the lower rack, locate the filter at the bottom of the tub, and remove it according to the model manual. Rinse it with warm water, use mild soap and a soft brush for stubborn debris, then reinstall and lock it securely before running the machine.
What to know
- Check the owner’s manual because filter designs and removal directions vary.
- Remove loose glass, bones, labels, pits, and other foreign objects carefully before lifting the filter.
- Use warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush rather than a wire brush or abrasive pad.
- Never run a dishwasher with a removable filter missing or unlocked.
A removable dishwasher filter sits near the bottom of the tub and catches food particles, labels, grit, broken fragments, and other debris before they can recirculate or reach the pump. Cleaning it is usually simple, but the exact removal method depends on the dishwasher model.
Start with the owner’s manual. Some machines have a removable cylindrical filter, some use a multi-piece screen and filter assembly, and others have a self-cleaning or maintenance-free design. Do not force a part that does not match the generic instructions below.
Signs the filter may need attention
Check the filter when you notice:
- gritty or grimy dishes after a cycle;
- visible food particles in the tub;
- worsening cleaning performance;
- standing debris around the lower spray arm;
- an unpleasant odor;
- slow draining that is not explained by the sink or disposal.
Whirlpool explains that its removable filter assemblies keep oversized objects out of the pump and reduce the recirculation of food onto dishes. [1]
What you need
Gather:
- a towel;
- warm water;
- mild dish soap;
- a soft sponge or cloth;
- a soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush;
- the dishwasher manual.
Avoid wire brushes, metal scrapers, and coarse scouring pads. Whirlpool warns that abrasive tools can damage the filter. [1]
Step 1: Make the dishwasher safe to work in
Stop any cycle and turn the dishwasher off. Allow hot components and water to cool. Remove the lower rack so the bottom of the tub is visible.
If the machine can be switched off at a nearby disconnect or breaker without affecting other essential equipment, follow the manual’s safety directions. Do not reach into a running dishwasher.
Step 2: Remove loose foreign objects
Look around the filter area for glass, toothpicks, bones, fruit pits, paper labels, and other debris. Wear cut-resistant gloves when broken glass may be present, and remove sharp fragments carefully.
Do not push loose objects farther into the sump or drain opening.
Step 3: Locate and remove the filter
The filter is commonly near the base of the lower spray arm. Many removable designs unlock with a short counterclockwise turn and then lift out. A lower screen or second filter section may also need to be raised or slid forward.
Bosch similarly instructs owners to remove the lower rack, twist and lift the filter assembly, and consult the model manual for the exact arrangement. [2]
If the part will not move with modest pressure, stop and verify the model-specific instructions. Plastic tabs become brittle with age, and enthusiasm is not a replacement for the right diagram.
Step 4: Rinse and brush gently
Rinse the filter under warm running water. Use mild soap and a soft brush to loosen grease, mineral film, and food trapped in the mesh or crevices.
Separate filter sections only when the manual says they are designed to come apart. Clean both sides, but avoid bending mesh, enlarging openings, or damaging seals.
Step 5: Inspect the parts
Look for:
- cracks;
- torn mesh;
- missing tabs;
- distorted plastic;
- damaged seals;
- debris that cannot be removed.
A damaged filter may allow food or foreign objects to reach areas it is supposed to protect. Use the model number to identify the correct service information rather than substituting a part that merely looks similar.
Step 6: Reinstall and lock it
Return every lower screen and filter section to its original position. Seat the upper filter and rotate it in the locking direction specified by the manual.
Whirlpool warns not to operate the dishwasher unless the lower filter is properly seated and the upper assembly is locked. A freely turning assembly may not be secured. [1]
Replace the lower rack and rotate the spray arm by hand to confirm that nothing blocks it.
How often should the filter be cleaned?
There is no universal interval. Cleaning frequency depends on the filter design, how often the dishwasher runs, how much food remains on dishes, and the manufacturer’s schedule. Bosch recommends periodic cleaning every few months for its applicable designs, while Whirlpool provides different schedules based on usage and how dishes are prepared. [2] [1]
Inspecting the filter periodically is more reliable than waiting for dirty dishes.
When cleaning does not solve the problem
Poor results after filter cleaning may involve blocked spray-arm openings, incorrect loading, old detergent, low water temperature, a restricted drain hose, a clogged disposal connection, or a failing pump or valve.
Stop and seek qualified service if the machine leaks, makes a new grinding sound, repeatedly fails to drain, trips a breaker, or contains inaccessible broken glass.
Bottom line
Remove a dishwasher filter only as the manual directs, rinse it with warm water, clean stubborn residue with mild soap and a soft brush, and reinstall it securely. Regular inspection helps prevent debris from recirculating, but the filter is one part of the cleaning system rather than a cure for every dishwasher problem.
Limits and cautions
- Some dishwashers use self-cleaning or maintenance-free filtration systems.
- Removal direction, cleaning interval, and disassembly vary by model.
- A clean filter cannot correct a failed pump, blocked drain hose, damaged spray arm, or other mechanical fault.
Source notes
- How to Clean the Dishwasher FiltersWhirlpool Product Help
- How to Properly Clean Your Dishwasher FilterBosch Home Appliances
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