How To Clean The Dishwasher Filter

A clean and well-maintained dishwasher filter makes all the divergence in the performance of your appliance. Yes, the machine that washes your dishes requires its own cleaning routine to properly sanitize and disinfect your cookware. A clean dishwasher filter ensures sparkling dishes after every launder cycle, just if you permit the filter go chock-full with food debris, your dishwasher will become a breeding basis for cruddy, unsanitary bacteria.

The main function of the filter is to forestall bits of nutrient from recirculating onto tableware, cookware, and silverware after the machine has run its cycle. Water and detergent will break downward any leftover remnants, only if the filter is clogged, the nutrient scraps volition remain inside the automobile.

If you read our blog on how to go the best results from your dishwasher, you'll call up a section on maintaining a clean filter. Or, if you caught our article on fighting dishwasher odors, the importance of checking the dishwasher filter was introduced once more. Considering of this trend, we wanted to spend more fourth dimension on the subject area and explore dishwasher filters in greater particular.

So, if y'all've ever thought about cleaning your filter only were hesitant considering it looked too complicated, we assure you, it can be done. Follow our handy step-past-step cleaning instructions and helpful tips to go along your appliance and your dishes clean.

father and son unloading dishwasher

Dishwasher Filter Types

There are ii different filter assemblies: Self-cleaning and manual. A self-cleaning filter is besides known as a hard nutrient disposer. This filter type typically uses a grinder to pulverize food debris like a garbage disposal. This GE congenital-in dishwasher comes equipped with the Piranha Hard Food Disposer, which features a stainless-steel blade that rotates at 3,600 RPM to interruption down nutrient remnants and foreclose big particles from bottleneck the launder arms. This self-cleaning role is and so powerful, there is far less buildup for you to clean by hand, just the born grinder is much louder than a manual filter.

Manual dishwasher filters are found in newer dishwasher models and should be cleaned at least once per month. It depends on how often yous use your dishwasher and if you're someone who likes to pre-rinse their dishes, only one time every 30 days is a safety bet to maintain a make clean dishwasher. If you prefer not to institute a set schedule, look for visual alerts and decide if dishes feel gritty afterward a wash cycle. If yous see stray bits of nutrient and discover anything that feels or smells unpleasant, that'south your reminder information technology's time to clean the filter.

If you lot're unsure of your filter type, refer to your owner'due south manual or examine the bottom of the dishwasher right below the rotating arm. Pull the rack all the way out and then it's easier to encounter. Y'all should discover a removable cylinder with arrows indicating which way to twist to access the filter. Filters vary tremendously across different dishwashing appliances, which is why nosotros're going to intermission down the proper way to clean your filter.

GE dishwasher next to blue cabinetry

Cleaning the Dishwasher Filter

Believe it or not, fifty-fifty dishwashers with a disinfect, sanitize, or steam-clean setting withal need to be cleaned themselves. If yous're tired of seeing stuck-on food left behind on your plates, information technology's not your dishwasher's fault.

Bits of nutrient and greasy remainder from your cookware volition be flushed away and left stuck inside your appliance if you don't consistently clean the filter. Cleaning the filter isn't every bit hard equally information technology looks. It merely takes a few minutes and requires just a few simple supplies you most likely already have in the business firm. Cleaning your appliance is well worth the time and attempt it takes to ensure your dishes are clean plenty to consume on.

Here'due south what you'll need to get started:

Equipment

A large bowl (or use the kitchen sink)
Dishcloth or sponge
An quondam toothbrush or scrub brush
Soft-bristled nylon castor (always use something with soft bristles so you lot don't scratch the appliance end)

Materials

Dishwashing liquid
Distilled white vinegar

Instructions

1. Locate the Dishwasher Filter

Every bit nosotros mentioned, it's easier to locate the filter if y'all get-go remove the bottom rack of the dishwasher. Yous'll find most filters on the interior floor with a round or cylindrical cap that twists and locks into place.

2. Remove the Filter

Following the arrows indicated on the cap, twist to unlock the filter. Most filters unlock counter-clockwise, or righty-tighty-lefty-loosey for the layperson. In one case unlocked, gently pull up to remove it from the dishwasher flooring. If there are any additional filters, remove those also.

3. Prepare Your Cleaning Solution

Make full your bowl or the kitchen sink with enough of hot h2o and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. We recommend using a quality detergent that contains a degreasing agent. White vinegar is optional, merely information technology acts as a natural deodorizer to brighten and refresh your filter.

4. Soak and Scrub

Place the filter in your cleaning solution and permit it to soak to loosen any grease, grime, and debris. For whatsoever bits that are stuck-on and don't announced to be breaking down, use the toothbrush or nylon brush to scrape away anything trapped inside the filter. After that, give the filter another good rinse in the hot water.

5. Wipe Downwards the Filter Housing

Grab your sponge or dishcloth and dip information technology into the cleaning solution. Wipe downwardly the interior of your appliance and the area where the filter was removed. There is commonly a ring of mildew effectually this area that yous'll want to wipe clean.

vi. Replace the Onetime Filter

Working backward, repeat the aforementioned steps to replace the filter. If in that location is a flat filter, install that first. Next, install the freshly cleaned or a brand-new filter and be sure it is locked securely in identify.

That's all! You lot've successfully cleaned your dishwasher filter and your apparatus is gear up to launder its next load of dingy dishes. You did it and then fast y'all might have a fiddling time left over to clean the other appliances in your kitchen!

unscrewing dishwasher filter

Tips to Maintain a Clean Filter

Whether yous're ready to make this function of your routine cleaning regimen or hoping you won't forget to check the filter every month, there are a few like shooting fish in a barrel ways to continue your appliance in tip-superlative shape in-between cleanings.

You don't need to pre-wash your dishes, but be sure to scrape away large nutrient scraps from the dishes before placing them into the dishwasher.
Run an empty wash bike from time-to-time. This volition help to cut through and flush out any buildup of grease or crud nigh the filter. Place two cups of distilled white vinegar in an open container on the peak rack and run a regular warm or hot h2o wash bike to finish the job.
Add a agenda reminder on your telephone or personal calendar to clean the filter and set the reminder to echo each month.

Clean as a Whistle

Keeping your dishwasher clean shouldn't exist a painstaking procedure, but if you lot need a little aid, dishwashers with a sanitize manner release an extra-hot rinse cycle to eliminate germs and bacteria living inside your appliance. This doesn't replace cleaning the filter, but information technology helps keep dishware sparkling clean.

And if repeatedly cleaning the filter isn't garnering better results, it might exist time for a new dishwasher. The Bosch 300 Series Dishwasher features a third rack for additional loading capacity to gratuitous upward space so y'all tin fit more than dishes without cramming your appliance.

Bosch dishwasher in a sunny kitchen

This is your run a risk to shop our entire itemize of dishwashers and dishwasher accessories. Only chat with the states online, give united states a call, or visit us in-person at Duerden's. Cease by today!