The best dishwashers are undoubtedly irreplaceable everyday appliances for our kitchens. A day in the life of a typical dishwasher sees at least one load but often two or more loads of dirty plates, bowls, dishes, and cutlery. There's no doubt that dishwashers work hard for us.
But when was the last time you thought about checking how clean the interior mechanisms of your dishwasher are? Do you know how to find and remove the filter of your dishwasher?
If your plates come out dirty, covered with food residue, baked-on grime, or with a crusty film, it is likely that you haven’t located and cleaned out your filter for some time, if at all.
How to remove a dishwasher filter: Quick steps
Dishwashers vary from model to model, depending on the make and its specific features; however, most dishwashers work similarly.
You should read the manufacturer guidelines and care instructions for your dishwasher to understand how it works, where all the relevant components are located, and how to safely remove them without damaging any elements. Always consult your dishwasher manual before you begin.
Trust me—again, I know from experience—because I was a seasoned pro at removing and cleaning my dishwasher filter daily. I once broke an element while attempting to remove the filter. As the saying goes, "Live it, learn it!" And that's precisely why I'm writing this: so you don't have to make the same mistakes I have.
- Turn the dishwasher off
- Locate the filter
- Pull out the lower drawer or rack
- Unscrew the filter
- Repeat for any additional filters
- Clean the filter/s
- Replace the filter/s
- Locate the spray arms, remove, clean and replace
- Perform a test cycle
How to remove a dishwasher filter: step-by-step guide
1. Turn the dishwasher off
As previously mentioned, before you do anything, consult the manufacturer's manual for guidelines or best practices for locating, removing, and cleaning the filter or any other components of your particular make and model of dishwasher.
Switch the dishwasher off and allow it to cool before you locate the filter and attempt to remove it.
2. Locate the filter
Next, locate the filter in your dishwasher. It is situated in the machine's base, beneath the lower spray arm in most models.
The shape of the filter may vary, and there may be more than one. Again, check your manual to be sure.
The filter in my Haier dishwasher is cylindrical with a flat mesh top portion; I remove all elements of this filter, which then can be separated into three pieces consisting of the flat mesh top, the primary grey filter, and the inner red filter (as pictured).
When separated, it's easier to access any debris and food residue and clean them out individually.
3. Pull out the lower drawer or rack
Either pull out or remove the lower drawer of your dishwasher to access the filter or filters more easily. This will allow you to remove them without damaging any machine components.
4. Unscrew the filter
Most modern dishwashers include a twist to remove cylindrical filters, which turn by 90 degrees and simply lift out of the machine.
It may also lift out without requiring you to twist. Other dishwashers may have clips securing the filter, or you may need to unscrew the filter to remove it.
Once again, check your manual for precise instructions specific to your make and model of dishwasher.
5. Repeat for any additional filters
If your particular make and model includes more than one filter, locate and remove the second filter, again according to the manufacturer's instructions in the manual.
5. Clean the filter/s
To clean the filters, you should frequently rinse them under warm water to remove any gunk or food residue.
If there are any whole pieces of food stuck within the components of your filter (as you can see in my pictures), you may have to maneuver the tap and water pressure accordingly to dislodge it or use some kind of poking device that is not going to damage your filter, such as an old toothbrush or a chopstick for instance.
As you might be able to gather, I've tried a lot of random cleaning hacks in a pinch in my kitchen over the years. Mostly, it's trial and error and a bit of common sense; for instance, don't stick a sharp pairing knife into your dishwasher's filter, but I probably didn't need to tell you that!
Use a soft dishcloth or brush to gently rub at any grease, grime, or stuck debris, rinse, and repeat until clean.
I wouldn't recommend using anything other than a washing-up liquid if you need to use any kind of soap at all.
Soak the filter in warm, soapy water for any stubborn grease to help loosen it.
If you wish, you can use baking soda and vinegar. to create a sparkling filter and eliminate unpleasant odors.
6. Replace the filter/s
Replace the filter (or filters) according to your specific machine and the manufacturer's instructions.
When you do this, it's good practice to check the drainage. The internal mechanism of the dishwasher within the machine, where you removed the filter, may also have a build-up of debris, food, or grime. Ensure it is clean, and wipe the area well with warm, soapy water.
For most dishwashers, you must insert the filter, return it to its original position, and lock it into place.
Be sure the filter is correctly replaced in your machine to prevent any issues with drainage.
7. Locate the spray arms, remove, clean and replace
For the spray arms, which are most frequently located below the top shelf and at the base of the machine, remove them according to your machine's manual, rinse under a warm tap again, and inspect to ensure you remove any debris or food lodged in the holes at either end of the arms. Rinse again until clean, and replace into the machine.
8. Perform a test cycle
Once the filters and spray arms have been replaced, turn on the machine and test it with an empty machine to ensure all components work smoothly.
Once you know how to perform this process effectively for your machine, you don't need to do it every time; it's just good practice for the first attempt.
Final Thoughts
Dishwashers are super convenient kitchen appliances. They enable us to spend less time and energy washing our plates, dishes, and cutlery by hand, not to mention all the other items that can be washed in a dishwasher.
If we only put dirty dishes into our dishwashers and never think about how to clean them or how to clean their filters. Eventually, the dishwasher will become less effective at cleaning the dishes we load into it.
It makes perfect sense that a dishwasher requires maintenance, just like any other kitchen appliance. It's essential to know how your specific dishwasher works so that you can care for and clean it properly.
Always consult the manufacturer's guidelines and manual for specific care, cleaning, maintenance guidance, and best practices for your model. They will also tell you where on the machine to locate the filter and other elements and components you need to clean and maintain.
Spend some time learning how to look after your dishwasher, follow the steps above, and invest some energy in taking care of your dishwasher so it can take care of your dishes for you, giving you sparkling plates every time.
If it's worth having a dishwasher - which I think most people would agree, even if it's not perfect, it's worth having one - then it's worth giving it proper care.
Dishwashers probably won't ever replace hand washing completely, but they are game-changing for most households.
Why am I qualified to explain how to remove a dishwasher filter?
As someone who knows from experience how temperamental my dishwasher can be if I don’t clean out my filter, I make a point to clean it out at least once a day, usually when I empty it in the morning. It takes mere moments to remove and rinse the filter.
Occasionally, though, the dishwasher filter and the spray arms (the spinning components usually located at the base and beneath the top shelf of the machine) require a deeper cleaning. We will get to that.
I’ve spoken to several people who have admitted they don’t clean their filters out, and some wouldn’t even know where to find them.
If I don’t clean my dishwasher filters regularly (and I mean daily), I will open the dishwasher to crusty dishes. This might be due to my dishwasher's particular make and model; maybe yours is slightly better and requires less maintenance than mine.
However, I will note that I try to rinse my plates and dishes before stacking them in the dishwasher. My husband is also somewhat militant about the quality of the stacking of the dishes (if you're in doubt, consult your dishwasher manual as a guide for how to stack your model).
I am fully transparent because honesty is important to us at TTR. I usually opt for a hot cycle because the eco cycle doesn't work very well for me. However, I would advocate using the eco cycle on your machine if you can.
Considering all those factors, my machine usually doesn't perform well if I don't clean the filter. So, I think I am qualified to explain how to remove and clean a dishwasher filter.
While my dishwasher may not be perfect in my experience (for context, I live in England, and it's a Haier dishwasher), even the best dishwashers, like all other kitchen appliances, require regular care, cleaning, and maintenance to deliver effective cleaning performance for as long as possible. Speaking of which, discover how to clean your dishwasher here.
If you don’t know where the filter is located in your dishwasher or how to remove it, I’ve got you covered. I will explain exactly where to find it, how to remove it, and how to clean it so you can enjoy sparkly clean dishes every day and maintain the longevity of your machine for as long as possible.
If this has piqued your curiosity, discover how dishwashers work here.
