Clean your dishwasher filter about once a month if you use the dishwasher often. Lighter use may stretch to every few months, but clean it sooner if dishes come out gritty, the dishwasher smells, or water drains slowly.

Quick schedule

  • Frequent use: check or clean about monthly.
  • Light use: every 3 to 6 months may be enough for some models.
  • Sooner: grit on dishes, sour smell, slow draining, visible food debris, or heavy loads.
  • Always: follow your model's manual because filter designs vary.

Where the filter is

Most modern dishwashers have a filter at the bottom of the tub under the lower rack. It may twist out as one piece or have coarse and fine filter parts. Some older dishwashers use a self cleaning grinder instead.

The model number is usually on a label around the door edge. Search that number with “filter cleaning” if the manual is missing.

Signs the filter needs cleaning

  • Grit or food specks on glasses and plates.
  • Sour or garbage like smells.
  • Water draining more slowly than usual.
  • Food debris visible in the bottom of the tub.
  • Spray arms or filter area look greasy or clogged.

How to clean it

  1. Remove the lower rack.
  2. Turn the filter according to the arrows or manual.
  3. Lift it out carefully.
  4. Rinse under warm water.
  5. Use a soft brush for stuck debris.
  6. Wipe the filter well in the bottom of the dishwasher.
  7. Reinstall the filter so it locks in place.

Do not force the filter. If it is not seated correctly, the dishwasher may clean worse or allow debris into places it should not go.

Should you rinse dishes first?

You usually do not need to prewash dishes until they look clean. Scrape chunks of food into the trash or compost, then load dishes so water can reach the surfaces. Heavy food loads may mean the filter needs cleaning more often.

When cleaning the filter is not enough

If dishes still come out gritty after the filter is clean, check the spray arms, detergent amount, water temperature, loading pattern, and drain area. If water is standing in the bottom or the dishwasher leaks, stop and troubleshoot the drain or call for service.

Good maintenance rhythm

  • Monthly: check the filter if you use the dishwasher often.
  • Every few months: reasonable for lighter use if dishes stay clean.
  • Sooner: smell, grit, slow drain, or visible debris.
  • At each cleaning: make sure the filter locks back into place.
Add dishwasher filter cleaning to the Dome mobile app once. Dome is coming soon to iOS, so this small task comes back before the dishwasher starts smelling like regret.

Sources