The quality of a dishwasher is determined by its filter. Your dishes can come out gummy, blurry, or even smell bad if the filter is blocked with food particles, mineral deposits, or grease. The good news? One of the simplest and fastest ways to maintain the smooth operation of your dishwasher is to clean the filter.
In addition to providing advice on odor prevention, maintenance schedules, and when to change the dishwasher filter completely, this guide explains how to find, remove, clean, and replace the filter.
Signs Your Dishwasher Filter Needs Cleaning
Check your filter if you notice:
- Gritty or foggy glasses
- Food particles lodged on dishes during a cycle
- Standing water at the tub’s bottom
- The dishwasher has an unpleasant or musty smell
- It is making a louder noise than normal;
Before You Start: Prep & Safety
- Time required: 10–15 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Tools needed: Soft brush or old toothbrush, bowl of warm water, mild dish soap or vinegar solution, microfiber cloth
- Safety tips:
- Let your dishwasher cool down by switching it off.
- Remove sharp utensils from the bottom rack.
- Avoid using abrasive pads or wire brushes (they can tear the filter mesh).
Where to Find Your Dishwasher Filter
A manual filter, often a round or rectangular mesh item, is typically located behind the bottom spray arm of most contemporary dishwashers.
Hard-food disposers, which are self-cleaning filters found in some older dishwashers, grind food particles rather than requiring regular cleaning. Look for a detachable mesh assembly at the tub’s bottom or consult your user manual if you’re not sure.
Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Manual Dishwasher Filter
Remove the filter
- Remove the bottom rack.
- Rotate the top filter counter-clockwise and remove it to unlock it.
- To remove the lower filter, gently pull it forward.
Wash the filter
- To get rid of loose particles, rinse under warm running water.
- Soak the filter for five to ten minutes in a 1:1 vinegar and warm water solution to remove mineral or grease buildup.
- Scrub any leftover deposits away with a gentle brush.
Clean the sump area
- Thoroughly wipe the filter well with a cloth to remove trapped food particles.
- Check that nothing is blocking the pump inlet or spray arm.
Reinstall the filter
- Place the lower filter back under the tabs at the bottom.
- Insert the upper filter into the opening and turn clockwise until it locks.
👉 Tip: If the filter spins freely, it isn’t seated properly—keep turning until it clicks into place.
Troubleshooting & When to Replace the Filter
Certain issues could necessitate changing the filter even with routine cleaning:
- The filter won’t lock firmly
- The mesh is ripped or twisted
- The drainage issues or stench persist after cleaning
To guarantee a correct fit, always order an OEM replacement filter using the model number of your dishwasher.
Extra Care Tips
- Run a dishwasher cleaner (or a vinegar cycle) once a month to keep odors away.
- Clean spray arms if water jets look clogged.
- Descale regularly if you live in a hard-water area.
Need Expert Help?
If your dishwasher is leaking from the bottom, water not filling up, or still leaving dishes dirty even after cleaning the filter, it may be a sign of a bigger issue. Don’t wait until it gets worse—call our expert dishwasher repair in Edmonton for fast, reliable service. We’ll diagnose the problem and get your appliance back to peak performance.
