How to Clean Dishwasher Filter

No machine in the world is entirely independent of human interaction and requires manly interference at some point through its life cycle. In the very same way, dishwashers would also need your help on occasions such as cleaning and maintenance, etc.

Aiding your dishwasher with a genuine helping hand on some days doesn’t seem like a hectic task to me as it is there for your rescue on most days! The only days when a dishwasher might give you a challenging time would be when you would need to clean the dishwasher air gap or the dishwasher filters, and that too if you had not been doing it regularly.

What is Dishwasher Filter

Just like any other filter, the dishwasher filter is a porous device for removing impurities and solid particles. It makes sure that your dishwasher reaches up to your cleaning standards by blocking small and soggy bits of food particles from re-entering into your clean crockery. The possible signs of your dishwasher needing a filter cleanup could be receiving gritty dishes with bits of stuck-on at the end of a wash cycle or your dishwasher giving a foul or funky smell.

Tools or Materials Require for Dishwasher Cleaning

The tools required to clean a dishwasher filter are not something you would have to run to the stores for as they would be easily available in your home. Each time you plan on giving your dishwasher a cleanup, make sure that you have the following tools.

1. Small soft brush
2. Dish soap/Dishwashing liquid
3. Sponge/Cleaning cloth
4. Hot water
5. Distilled Vinegar
6. Baking Soda
7. Large bowl/Sink

Important Tips to Clean The Dishwasher Filter

• Make sure to consider the following tips while cleaning your dishwasher as not referring to them might result in your cleanup going wrong, and you might end up damaging your machine if not handled and cleaned the right way.
  
• Make sure to consider the following tips while cleaning your dishwasher as not referring to them might result in your cleanup going wrong, and you might end up damaging your machine if not handled and cleaned the right way.
  
• Make sure to choose a brush with soft bristles while cleaning your dishwasher, as stiff bristles can damage the interior of the machine.
  
• Choose a small-sized brush that could easily reach the outside of the filters as you would not be able to insert an oversized brush in the space around the filters, which would, in turn, disrupt efficient cleaning.
  
• Ensure to gently stroke the cleaning brush to remove build-on food and debris as harsh strokes would result in scratches on the interior of the dishwasher.
  
• If you don’t pre-rinse your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher, make sure to clean the filters of your dishwasher at least once a month as the stinky food particles can build up on the filters in the form of hard debris, which would be hard to loosen and remove later.
  
• If your dishes go through a pre-rinse before loading, you will need to clean your filters twice a year as the pre-rinse washes excess food particles away, and there isn’t much to get stuck on the filters later.

10 Easy Tips to Clean the Dishwasher Filter

In case you find lengthy user manuals challenging to read and comprehend, we have put the filter cleanup in 10 simple and easy steps right here for you!

Step 1: Find Out If Your Dishwasher Has A Filter

Not every dishwasher has a filter as the dishwashers were formerly made of self-cleaning filters, which had a significant drawback of being excessively loud, and so the manufacturers shifted to filters that would require manual cleaning but are without grinders (quitter ones). If you have an older version of a dishwasher, probably one made in 2010 or before, you might not have manual filters.

The easiest way to determine if your dishwasher has a manual filter is to look inside for the sticker with the model name. Type that in google, hit search, and the chances are that you will find the owner’s manual that explains if it has a filter or not.

Step 2: Remove The Bottom Rack Of The Dishwasher

This step is not a compulsion, but it is easier to locate and remove the filter if you empty it and take the bottom-most rack of the dishwasher out since the filter is located towards the interior floor of the dishwasher.

Step 3: Remove The Filter

Filters that require manual cleaning are generally round; they twist the lock into place and have embedded arrows that indicate how they should be turned to remove it. Unlock it by turning it according to the guideline arrows and then remove it from the floor.

Step 4: Prepare A Cleaning Solution

Take a large bowl or sink and fill it with Luke warm water. After this, add 5-6 drops of detergent or dish wash to it. You may also prepare a mixture of distilled vinegar and baking soda, as it has proven to be a very efficient cleaning agent.

Step 5: Soak The Filter For Some Time

Leave the filter in the cleaning solution for a few minutes as that would help to loosen the built-on debris and excessive junk. After a few minutes, scrape away the gunk using a cleaning brush and remove it using a sponge.

Step 6: Wash The Filter To Remove Impurities

Wash the filter thoroughly using hot water as that would help you to get rid of any scrapped off junk and excess particles. Ensure to wash and rinse it from both sides in case of a flat filter, while for a cylindrical filter, ensure that the water reaches every nook and cranny.

Step 7: Clean The Area Around The Filter

Dip the cleaning cloth or sponge into the hot soapy water and gently clean the area where the filter was removed. Scrap away any gunk, debris, or grease buildup using the cloth and remove it. There is a sump down there, where the cylindrical filter fits and locks into place. Make sure to clean that for solids or bones as well.

Step 8: Insert The Filter Back

Insert the filters using the reverse order by putting the coarse mesh, flat filter back first, followed by the cylindrical filter. Tilt the filter until it locks accurately into place.

Step 9: Give The Spray Arm A Quick Spin

After fitting the filters back in, it is better to give your spray arm a quick spin to make sure that it is not being locked and runs smoothly.

Step 10: Run An Empty Cycle

After you are done with the dishwasher filter cleaning, run an empty cycle to ensure that everything is working fine and that the filters are locked correctly into place.

If you follow up on your dishwasher filter cleaning according to our easy 10 step breakdown, you would no longer have to fret because of uncleaned or half cleaned dishes or unpleasant odor by your dishwasher. However, if you would also like to be generous enough for your dishwasher in order to increase its life.

Most Frequently Asked Questions