Did you know that your dishwashers, especially their filters, could be the dirtiest spots in your home? As you clean more dishes, the filter captures all the tiny food particles and greasy residue so that they don’t stick back on your plates.
Some older dishwashers may contain self-cleaning filters. Modern ones do not offer this facility. They require manual removal and cleaning. You can check the type by referring to the owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website.
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In this article, we share some tips on how to clean the dishwasher filters effectively. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Table of Contents
How Often Should You Clean the Manual Dishwasher Filters?
Depending upon how often you wash dishes or your wash cycle, a cleaning frequency of once a month seems reasonable. If you don’t clean one regularly, your plates may contain dirty food remnants.
Commit yourself to do it on the first date of every month, and you will be fine. After some time, you will be able to tell if the frequency to clean a dishwasher filter needs to be increased or decreased.
Remember that making a dishwasher filter clean is not a challenging task. You can complete the whole procedure with little to no guidance. It will only take a few minutes and will enhance the overall performance of the manual filters.
Ways to Find a Dishwasher Filter

We assume that you have a manual-cleaning filter. Before starting anything, you will need to locate the dishwasher filter.
To access the filter, you will first need to remove the bottom dish rack. Its usual location is on the floor of your dishwasher.
You will find it in the back corner of the dishwasher or beneath the base of the spray arm. You may have to remove it to reach it. (This may also develop as a golden opportunity for you to clean the bottom spray arm.)
Materials Required
You just need some tools that you may already have on hand to carry on the filter cleaning process. These are:
- Sink or large bowl
- Dishcloth or sponge
- Old toothbrush
- Soft-bristle brush
- Dishwashing liquid containing a degreaser
- Distilled white vinegar (optional)
The Cleaning Process
Once you have gathered all the necessary items, follow these instructions to make your dishwasher clean:
Step 1: Identifying the Type
A modern dishwater filter consists of two primary parts: upper filter and lower filter. The upper one is cylindrical, whereas the lower filter comes as a flat piece sitting underneath the upper filter.
Don’t panic if you only find one of them because some dishwashers may only have just the upper one. If you discover two, then clean both of them.
Removing the Filter
Gently turn the notch of the upper dishwasher filter in the direction indicated; usually, it is clockwise. It will unlock the upper filter, and you will be easily able to remove it. The next step is to remove the flat filter if you have one. It isn’t typically sealed, so gently pull it out to remove it from the dishwasher.
Step 2: Clean Your Dishwasher Filter
Once you have removed the filter(s), gather your materials in one place. You will start by transferring the parts to your kitchen sink. Now, take the soft scrub brush and gently wash each component with a cleaning solution consisting of hot water and gentle dish soap.
If you have no scrub brush, don’t worry, as an old toothbrush or even a sponge would be sufficient for the work. Once you clean the cylindrical filter and it starts to look good, make sure you test your self-cleaning by running water through it. If the water comes out clean and crystal clear, you have done a great job.
Cleaning the Food Particles
You must check the area where the filter is located in the dishwasher. If it is necessary to clean it, then do the exact thing. But how would you know if it has to be cleaned? If you notice food debris and calcium deposits, you will have to clean them.
The materials you used to clean the filter like; a soft-bristled nylon brush and hot, soapy water, would do the job for you. Just gently scrub away the stuck-on food left on the location. This process won’t take much time. Do not forget to wash the dishwasher itself.
Step 3: Replace the Dishwasher Filter
Once you are done with the self-cleaning filter process, you have to put things back in place. First, start with the lower filter and ensure it is perfectly aligned with the hole leading to the drainage hose.
After the lower dishwasher filter is done, replace the top filter and turn the aperture toward the direction arrows. Twist the notch until it connects to the place perfectly.
If it wiggles, it has not been attached well and needs to be refitted. If you run the dishwasher with a loose filter, it will immensely damage it. Hence, before you return the lower dish rack, double-check the sturdiness.
That’s the end! You have done a great job in cleaning the dishwasher filter. Make sure to regularly clean a dishwasher filter to avoid any further problems.
More Cleaning Tips
When the dishwasher is empty, clean its edges, corners, and hinges; there might be chances that these parts may have food stuck on them.
Checking the cupboards near it will help you keep clean dishes for a more prolonged period. You can use the same soft brush to clean any loose particles stuck on them.

Clean your dishwasher filter more often. Hence, consistently wash the interior floor, bottom rack, etc. You may feel disgusted initially, but you will get the hang of it after some time, perhaps even enjoying the process.
Your dishes will remain in perfect condition as long as you maintain the cleanliness of your dishwasher.
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