How To Clean A Dishwasher Filter
While it would be ideal if your dishwasher cleaned itself automatically, the reality is that it probably doesn't. As time passes, the filter and inside walls of the dishwasher collect debris from the food, fats, precipitate detergent, and water minerals. This grime will not only make your home smell bad and look dirty, but it will also leave a film and stains on your glasses, plates, and silverware. Simply said, it doesn't matter how carefully you fill the dishwasher if you don't clean it first. It's also expensive to fix the filter and pump in a dishwasher if you let food and grime pile up.When Should You Clean Your Dishwasher Filter?
Depending on how often you use your dishwasher, the filter needs to be cleaned anywhere from once a year to once a week. You should give your filter a good cleaning every three to six months. Make a note of how often you run the dishwasher to help you estimate when you'll need to clean the filter.Why Is It Important To Keep The Dishwasher Filter Clean?
The filter might become clogged with debris and grease from meals when not regularly cleaned. This may cause your dishwasher to malfunction or produce an unpleasant stench. Having a faulty dishwasher is one of the worst-case scenarios that could result from a dirty filter. In order to spend less time hand-washing dishes and more time in the kitchen preparing delicious meals, be sure to regularly clean the filter in your dishwasher.Where Is The Filter On My Dishwasher?
Your dishwasher's filter will be on the lower rack. In most cases, the filter is located in the center of the dishwasher or near the door, and its removal and cleaning shouldn't require any special tools. If you're having trouble locating it, however, the manual with your dishwasher will always include an illustration and detailed instructions.Let's go deeper into how you may revitalize the filter in your dishwasher.
1. Remove The Filter From Your Dishwasher
With the lower rack out of the way, you can get to the filter at the bottom of your dishwasher. The filter is typically located in a hidden recess of the tub's underside or at its spray arm's footrest. A damaged filter might negatively impact dishwasher performance, so take care when removing the filter.Some dishwashers use a three-stage filtration system consisting of an upper and a bottom filter unit. Dishes, foreign objects, and even the tiniest food particles are captured by the upper filter assembly, while the lower filter prevents any food from being recirculated.
Turn the upper filter counterclockwise by a quarter of a turn and pull it out. The lower filter can be removed with a little lift, followed by a forward pull.
2. Clean The Filter In The Dishwasher
If your dishwasher has a bottom filter, you can clean it by soaking the filter in a solution of warm water and mild detergent in a sink or a bucket. Any accumulated grease or stuck-on debris is reduced in this manner. The next step is to get a soft brush, toothbrush, or sponge and scrape the filter inside and out to eliminate any food particles that have become embedded.Warm water should be used to flush the filter until only clean water emerges. If the water is still murky, soak and scour some more. The filter should then be dried in a dish rack or a hand towel.
3. Replace Your Filter
Place the lower filter back into the bottom of the dishwashing tub so the tabs face up and the upper filter aligns with the circular opening. The top filter should be inserted into the slot on the top of the bottom filter. You can feel the filter is properly seated when you turn it clockwise. If the filter can be rotated freely, it has not been installed correctly. Make sure you spin it in the clockwise direction so it can lock.Never start the dishwasher without first ensuring the filter is securely in place. Inspect the top and bottom filter housings. If the filter in your dishwasher is loose, it could cause serious problems. Keep in mind that the upper filter is not locked if it may be turned clockwise. You can have a bit of leeway with how closely the arrows on the top and bottom filters align. If you secure the filter, your dishwasher won't clog as easily. Make sure to replace the filter in your dishwasher whenever you see signs of wear and tear.