Why You Should Clean Your Dishwasher Filter

If your dishes come out gritty, your glasses look filmy, or the inside of your dishwasher smells stale, a clogged filter is the likely cause. Most dishwashers sold in the last 10 to 15 years have a removable filter at the bottom of the tub that requires manual cleaning. Many owners never find it. This guide explains why it matters and how to clean it in about 15 minutes.

Scope

Priority	Medium
Difficulty	DIY
Estimated Time	15 minutes
Frequency	Monthly to Semi-Annual

Tools and Materials

Tools:

• Soft-bristle brush (an old toothbrush works well)

Materials:

• Dish soap
• Warm running water

A Note on Water and Slippery Surfaces

The filter sits at the bottom of the dishwasher tub. Before reaching in, make sure the cycle has finished and the interior has cooled. The tub floor can be slippery, and standing water may remain near the drain. Dry your hands before handling the filter assembly to get a firm grip on the locking mechanism.

Before You Start

• Confirm the dishwasher has finished its cycle and the door is cool to the touch.
• Pull out the bottom rack and set it aside.
• Look at the bottom of the tub. If you see a cylindrical mesh tube, often sitting in a back corner or around the base of the spray arm, your machine has a manual-clean filter. If you see nothing but a flat drain cover with no removable parts, your dishwasher likely has a self-cleaning grinder filter and does not require this maintenance.
• Check your owner’s manual if you’re unsure. The filter section will confirm the type and show its exact location.

Why the Filter Exists (and Why It Needs Cleaning)

Manufacturers switched from grinder-based self-cleaning filters to manual filters around 2010. Grinder filters were loud; manual filters are quiet. The trade-off is that the manual filter traps food particles rather than grinding them away, so the debris accumulates until you remove it.

The filter does two jobs: it keeps food particles from recirculating onto dishes during the wash cycle, and it protects the pump from clogs and damage. When the filter gets clogged, dirty water cycles back through the machine. Dishes come out with a gritty film. Odors develop as trapped food sits in a warm, wet environment. In more severe cases, restricted water flow can cause water to back up and leak onto the kitchen floor.

A standard ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher uses 3.5 gallons of water or less per cycle and costs roughly $50 per year to run. That efficiency depends on the machine working as designed. A neglected filter makes the appliance work harder to compensate for poor drainage and recirculation, which erodes both performance and longevity. The average dishwasher lasts about 9 years. Regular maintenance is one of the straightforward ways to reach or exceed that benchmark.

How to Remove and Clean the Filter

1. Remove the bottom rack to give yourself clear access to the tub floor.

2. Locate the filter assembly. It typically sits in a back corner or at the center base near the spray arm. Most assemblies have two parts: a cylindrical upper filter and a flat lower filter screen.

3. Unlock the upper filter. Grip the top of the cylinder and rotate it a quarter-turn counterclockwise until it releases, then lift it straight up and out.

4. Remove the lower filter. Once the upper filter is out, the flat lower screen usually lifts away without any turning. Some models require a slight tilt; the manual will show this if needed.

5. Rinse both filters under warm running water. Hold them at an angle and let the water run through the mesh from the inside out. For most routine cleaning, this is enough.

6. Scrub any stubborn deposits with a soft brush and dish soap. Work gently along the mesh. Do not use a wire brush, scouring pad, or anything abrasive. The mesh is fine and tears easily, and a damaged filter won’t trap debris properly.

7. Inspect the filter housing in the tub. Wipe out any visible debris from the opening before reinstalling.

8. Reinstall the lower filter first, setting it flat in the housing. Then insert the upper filter, align the tabs, and rotate a quarter-turn clockwise until it locks. A filter that isn’t seated fully will rattle during cycles and may allow debris past the seal.

9. Replace the bottom rack and run a short rinse cycle to flush the drain area.

Signs the Job Is Done Correctly

• The upper filter turns smoothly and clicks into a locked position.
• No visible food debris remains on the mesh when held up to the light.
• After the next full wash cycle, dishes come out without grit and the interior smells neutral.

If dishes are still gritty after cleaning the filter, water hardness may also be a factor. Hard water leaves mineral deposits on glassware that look similar to food residue. A rinse aid dispenser addresses this; check whether yours is filled. If the smell persists after a cleaned filter and a rinse cycle, run an empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or a cup of white vinegar placed upright on the top rack.

Mistakes Worth Avoiding

• Skipping the lower filter. Both parts trap debris. Cleaning only the upper cylinder and leaving the flat screen in place means you’ve done half the job.
• Forcing the lock. The quarter-turn mechanism is designed to seat and release with light pressure. If it resists, check the alignment tabs before applying more force.
• Using abrasive tools. A wire brush or scouring pad damages the mesh and voids the filter’s ability to catch fine particles.
• Reinstalling a wet filter. A small amount of surface moisture is fine, but shaking off excess water before reinserting makes it easier to confirm the filter is properly seated.
• Waiting for symptoms. By the time dishes come out gritty, the filter has been restricting performance for a while. Cleaning on a schedule prevents the buildup from reaching that point.

If Something Still Isn’t Right

Problem	Possible Cause	What to Try
Dishes still feel gritty after cleaning	Hard water mineral deposits	Fill the rinse aid dispenser; check water softener settings if applicable
Dishwasher still smells after cleaning	Debris in the door gasket or drain hose, not just the filter	Wipe the door gasket with a damp cloth; run an empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaner
Water pooling at the bottom of the tub	Drain hose clog or filter not seated properly	Confirm the filter is locked; check the drain hose connection at the sink drain for obstructions
Filter won’t lock back into place	Misaligned tabs	Remove completely, inspect the tabs, and re-seat before attempting to turn
Grinding or rattling noise during cycle	Filter not fully locked	Remove the bottom rack and confirm the filter assembly is seated and turned to the locked position

When to Call a Professional

Most filter cleaning is straightforward DIY work. Contact a technician if:

• Water is pooling on the kitchen floor after a cycle and clearing the filter doesn’t resolve it.
• The drain hose appears kinked, cracked, or disconnected at the pump.
• The filter housing itself is cracked or the mesh is torn and the filter needs replacement.
• The spray arm beneath the filter assembly is damaged, broken, or doesn’t spin freely after reinstallation.
• The dishwasher displays an error code related to drainage that persists after cleaning.

Keeping the Filter Clear Between Cleanings

• Scrape plates before loading. The filter catches what gets past the spray arms. Less debris in the tub means slower buildup in the filter.
• Clean the filter every month if the dishwasher runs daily or if your household generates a lot of food residue. For lighter use, every three to six months is generally sufficient.
• Keep the rinse aid dispenser filled. Rinse aid helps water sheet off surfaces and reduces deposits on both dishes and the filter mesh.
• Check the door gasket monthly. Food particles collect in the gasket folds and contribute to odor even when the filter is clean. A quick wipe with a damp cloth adds two minutes to a filter-cleaning session and addresses the other common source of dishwasher smell.
• Note the date when you clean. A small piece of tape on the inside of the door or a calendar reminder takes the guesswork out of when you last did it.