A dishwasher can look clean on the outside and still smell unpleasant or leave bits of food on your dishes. Often, the filter is the culprit. It catches scraps before they can clog the drain or circulate back onto your plates, but over time that trapped food and grease can build up. The good news? Cleaning a dishwasher filter usually takes just a few minutes, and you don’t need special tools.
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Why Cleaning Your Dishwasher Filter Matters
Your dishwasher filter sits near the bottom of the tub, usually beneath the lower spray arm or close to the drain. As water washes over your dishes, the filter catches food particles and other debris. Cleaner water can then circulate through the machine again.
That job gets harder when the filter is coated with grease or packed with food. A dirty filter can contribute to unpleasant smells, cloudy glassware, food specks on dishes, and water that drains slowly. Cleaning it won’t fix every dishwasher problem, but it’s a sensible first step when you notice any of these signs.
Filters vary by brand and model. Many newer dishwashers have a removable manual filter that you should clean by hand. Some older models use a self-cleaning system, while others have a filter that isn’t meant to be removed by the owner. If you’re unsure, check your manual or the manufacturer’s website before taking anything apart.
What You’ll Need
For most removable filters, all you need is warm water, a soft brush, and a little dish soap. An old toothbrush works well because it can reach into small mesh openings without being too harsh.
- Soft brush: Use a toothbrush or another gentle, small cleaning brush.
- Dish soap: A small drop can help loosen greasy residue.
- Soft cloth or sponge: Handy for wiping the filter well and cleaning the area around it.
- Gloves: Optional, but useful if the filter is slimy or you’d rather not touch food debris.
Avoid wire brushes, scouring pads, and sharp tools. They can damage the fine mesh or the filter’s plastic parts. Don’t pour bleach into the dishwasher to clean the filter, either. Bleach can harm some dishwasher materials, and it should never be mixed with other cleaning products.
How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter Step by Step
1. Make sure the dishwasher is off
Stop the current cycle and switch the dishwasher off before you start. If it has just finished, give the water and interior a little time to cool. You’ll be reaching into the bottom of the machine, so it’s more comfortable and safer when everything is still.
2. Remove the lower rack
Pull out the bottom rack so you can reach the floor of the dishwasher. If it catches on the door or spray arm, lift it slightly as you slide it out. Set it aside somewhere it won’t get in your way.
3. Find the filter
Look around the bottom of the tub, often beneath the lower spray arm or near the drain. A common design has a round cylinder-shaped filter, sometimes paired with a flat mesh filter underneath. Your model may look different, so use the manual if you can’t identify the part.
Don’t confuse the filter with the spray arm or drain cover. If a part doesn’t turn or lift easily, stop and check the instructions instead of forcing it. A broken filter fitting can be a much bigger hassle than a dirty filter.
4. Remove the filter carefully
Many cylindrical filters unlock with a short turn, while some lift straight out. The direction and method depend on the model. Turn or lift it as shown in the manual, then remove any separate flat filter if your dishwasher has one.
Take note of how the pieces fit together. A quick photo on your phone can help you remember the correct position, especially if the filter has several parts. The filter needs to sit and lock properly when you put it back.
5. Rinse away loose food
Hold the filter under warm running water and rinse off loose scraps. If food is stuck in the mesh, use your fingers or a soft brush to ease it away. Work gently: pushing hard can bend fine mesh or force debris deeper into the openings.
If there’s greasy film, add a small drop of dish soap to the brush and scrub both sides. Pay attention to the edges, seams, and grooves, where residue can collect. Rinse until the filter feels clean and no soapy film remains.
6. Clean the filter well and its surrounding area
While the filter is out, check the opening below it for loose food, seeds, labels, or other debris. Wipe the area with a damp cloth or sponge. Don’t reach blindly into the drain, and don’t remove parts you can’t identify. If you find sharp fragments such as broken glass, use gloves and remove them carefully.
Some dishwashers have a removable flat filter as well as a cylindrical one. Clean each part using the same gentle method. If the manual says a part is not removable or should not be scrubbed, follow that guidance.
7. Reinstall the filter securely
Put the filter pieces back in the order they came out. Make sure the filter sits flat and locks into place. A loose or misaligned filter may not catch debris properly, and it can interfere with the dishwasher’s operation.
Give it a gentle check to confirm it’s secure, then slide the lower rack back in. If you took a photo before removing the filter, compare it with the finished setup.
8. Run a short cycle if needed
If you used only water and a little dish soap, you can usually use the dishwasher as normal once the filter is installed. If you wiped up a lot of debris or want to rinse away any remaining residue, run a short empty rinse cycle. Don’t put regular hand dish soap in the dishwasher; it can create excessive suds.
How Often Should You Clean a Dishwasher Filter?
There isn’t one schedule that suits every household. A dishwasher used daily by a family that doesn’t scrape plates much will collect debris faster than one used a few times a week. Your owner’s manual is the best source for the care schedule for your model.
As a practical starting point, check the filter about once a month. If you often see food particles on dishes, notice a smell, or run the dishwasher frequently, inspect it more often. A quick look takes less time than dealing with a filter that has become packed with residue.
| How you use the dishwasher | Suggested filter check | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Daily use or lots of food debris | About once a week | Food scraps, grease, or blocked mesh |
| Average household use | About once a month | Odor, visible buildup, or leftover food |
| Occasional use and mostly scraped dishes | Every one to two months | Any debris or film, especially after long periods between cycles |
These are useful starting points, not a replacement for your manufacturer’s instructions. If your manual recommends a different interval, follow that schedule.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forcing the filter out: Different designs unlock in different ways. Check the manual before twisting or pulling harder.
- Scrubbing with a rough pad: Abrasive tools can damage the mesh and make the filter less effective.
- Putting the filter back loosely: It needs to sit correctly and lock in place to catch debris.
- Using a strong chemical cleaner: Stick to warm water and mild dish soap unless the manufacturer recommends something else.
- Ignoring the spray arms: The filter is a good place to start, but blocked spray-arm holes can also leave food on dishes. Check them if cleaning the filter doesn’t help.
- Assuming every dishwasher has the same filter: Some systems aren’t designed for user removal. Look up your model before dismantling anything.
What If the Dishwasher Still Smells or Leaves Food on Dishes?
First, check whether the filter is fully clean and correctly installed. Then look for scraps around the drain area and check the spray arms for blocked holes. Make sure the arms can spin freely and that tall dishes or utensils aren’t stopping them from turning.
Loading can matter, too. If plates are packed tightly together, water may not reach every surface. Scrape off large food scraps before loading, but you generally don’t need to rinse dishes until they’re spotless unless your manual says otherwise. Modern dishwashers need some food soil to help certain wash systems work as intended.
If water remains in the bottom after a cycle, the drain hose, drain pump, or plumbing may need attention. A dirty filter is only one possible cause. If you’ve cleaned and reseated it and the problem continues, check the manual’s troubleshooting section or contact a qualified repair professional.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I clean a dishwasher filter with vinegar?
Warm water and a soft brush are usually enough. Before using vinegar, check your dishwasher manual, since some manufacturers advise against certain cleaners or repeated use. Never mix vinegar with bleach or other cleaning products.
Can I run my dishwasher without the filter?
Don’t run it without the filter unless the manufacturer specifically instructs you to do so. The filter helps catch food debris, and operating the machine without it may allow scraps to reach other parts of the dishwasher.
Why does my dishwasher filter get dirty so quickly?
Frequent use, food-heavy loads, and leaving large scraps on dishes can make the filter fill faster. Check it more often for a while, and scrape large pieces of food into the bin before loading.
How do I know if my dishwasher has a removable filter?
Look for a filter near the bottom of the tub and check your model’s manual for removal instructions. If the manual describes a self-cleaning system or warns against removing parts, don’t try to take the filter apart.
Conclusion
Cleaning a dishwasher filter is a simple bit of maintenance that can help control odors and keep food debris from recirculating. Switch off the machine, remove the filter according to your model’s instructions, rinse and gently brush it, then reinstall it securely.
Check it about once a month as a starting point, or more often if you use the dishwasher heavily. And if a smell or drainage problem remains after cleaning, look beyond the filter rather than forcing a fix that may not suit your machine.
