How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher Filter?
Photo: “GE Hotpoint” by nitram242, CC BY 2.0
Key Takeaways
- Clean the filter monthly for average use, every 1–2 weeks for heavy use
- A dirty filter is the leading cause of gritty dishes and lingering odors
- Cleaning takes about 5 minutes with a soft brush
- Problems that persist after cleaning usually mean a drain pump or spray arm issue
If your dishwasher has started leaving a film on glasses, a faint odor, or bits of food residue on “clean” dishes, the filter is the first place to check — and it’s one of the easiest maintenance tasks homeowners skip entirely.
How often, really?
- Average household, 4-5 loads a week: clean the filter about once a month
- Heavy use or minimal pre-rinsing: every 1-2 weeks
- Notice odor or cloudy glasses already? Clean it now, regardless of schedule
Why the filter matters more than people think
Most modern dishwashers use a self-cleaning filter system that still requires manual cleaning periodically — “self-cleaning” refers to how it filters water during the cycle, not that it never needs maintenance. Food particles, grease, and mineral buildup collect in the filter mesh over time. Once it’s clogged, water can’t circulate properly, which is why dishes start coming out dirty even though the dishwasher is “running fine.”
How to clean it (takes about 5 minutes)
- Locate the filter at the bottom of the tub, usually a cylindrical piece you twist to unlock
- Remove it and rinse under warm running water
- Use an old toothbrush to work loose any trapped debris in the mesh
- Check the sump area underneath for anything that fell through (glass shards, bones, produce stickers are common culprits)
- Reinsert and twist to lock back into place
Signs your filter needs attention right now
- Dishes come out with a gritty film or spots
- A musty or food odor when you open the door
- Standing water pooling in the bottom after a cycle
- The dishwasher runs longer than usual or sounds different
When it’s more than the filter
If you’ve cleaned the filter and the problem persists, the issue is more likely a failing drain pump, a clogged spray arm, or a water inlet problem — all things a technician can diagnose quickly rather than something to keep troubleshooting on your own.
See our dishwasher repair page for common symptoms and pricing in the Harrisburg area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put the dishwasher filter in the dishwasher itself to clean it?
It’s best to hand-wash it under running water with a soft brush — running it through a cycle doesn’t reliably clear trapped debris from the mesh.
Why does my dishwasher smell even after I clean the filter?
Check the door gasket and the bottom of the tub for trapped food residue, and consider running an empty cycle with a dishwasher-safe cleaner if the odor persists.
Do all dishwashers have a removable filter?
Most modern dishwashers do, though location and removal method vary by brand — check your owner’s manual if you can’t locate it after a couple minutes of looking.
Need a technician instead of a guess?
Same-day appointments across Harrisburg, Dauphin & Cumberland counties.