Most modern dishwashers have a manual filter at the bottom of the tub that traps food particles. When it clogs, dishes come out with residue, water pools at the bottom, and the dishwasher starts to smell. Many people don't know the filter exists until this happens. Cleaning it takes 5 minutes.
Locating and Removing the Filter
- Remove the lower dish rack to access the bottom of the dishwasher
- The filter assembly is typically in the rear centre of the tub, beneath the spray arm
- Most filters are a two-piece design: a cylindrical upper filter and a flat lower mesh filter underneath
- Twist the cylindrical filter counterclockwise and lift it out
- Lift out the flat mesh filter below it
Consult your dishwasher manual if you can't locate it — Bosch, Samsung, Miele, and LG all have slightly different filter positions and removal methods.
Cleaning the Filter
- Rinse both filter components under warm running water
- Use an old toothbrush and a few drops of dish soap to scrub the mesh — pay attention to the edges and the inside of the cylindrical filter
- Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear through the mesh
- Reinstall: place the flat mesh filter down first, then insert the cylindrical filter and twist clockwise to lock
How Often
Once a month for regular household use. If you notice standing water, poor wash results, or a sour smell after a cycle, check the filter — it's usually the culprit.
Tips
- Scrape plates before loading — this significantly reduces how fast the filter clogs
- Run a dishwasher cleaning cycle monthly: place a cup of white vinegar in the top rack and run a hot cycle, then sprinkle baking soda on the bottom and run a short hot cycle
- Wipe down the door gasket with a damp cloth — mould and food residue collect in the rubber seal folds
- Some older dishwashers have self-cleaning filters (a grinder that pulverizes food) — if yours makes a grinding sound during a cycle, it's this type and doesn't need manual filter cleaning