If your dishes don’t appear to be emerging from the dishwasher quite as clean as they used to, it’s likely time to inspect your dishwasher filter. I won’t lie – before finding out about all this I had no idea where my dishwasher filter was located. Let alone how to clean it. But cleaning the dishwasher filter is an essential maintenance task. You will need to do this periodically to ensure that your dishwasher continues to work properly.
Your dishwasher filter is designed to catch all those little bits of food that come off of dishes during the wash cycle. The filter is usually found near the bottom of the dishwasher, in the center or one of the back corners. It’s typically cone-shaped, with a rounded top and mesh sides.
When you find the filter, easily move the bottom rack out of the way and… then, twist the top of the filter and pull it out. If the filter looks somewhat clean, you’re likely going to just need to run it under water for a few seconds to rinse it out. If the filter is really dirty and has bits of food dried onto it, soak it in warm, soapy water for 20 minutes or so. Use a small, soft-bristle brush to gently scrub that residue away, and then rinse thoroughly.
After cleaning, you can replace the filter where you found it, twisting it to lock it back in place. It is recommended that you inspect and clean your filter once a month. That way, your dishwasher can run as intended and your dishes emerge sparkling clean.
