How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter and Interior
Cleaning the filter and spray arms properly transforms wash results and smell. Never put regular dish soap in the machine.
What you need
Supplies
- Dishwasher cleaner or citric acid
- Dish soap (for hand-washing the filter)
Tools
- Toothbrush
- Toothpick
- Rubber gloves
- Dry cloth
How to do it
- 01
Remove the lower rack
Turn off the dishwasher and pull the lower rack all the way out. You should see a cylindrical filter in the center of the floor.
- 02
Remove and wash the filter
Twist the cylindrical filter counterclockwise and lift it out; the flat mesh below usually comes with it. Shake out food scraps, scrub the mesh with a toothbrush and dish soap and rinse under running water.
- 03
Clear the spray arm holes
Remove the lower and upper spray arms, hold them up to the light and clear any blocked holes with a toothpick. Blocked holes leave spots the water never reaches.
- 04
Wipe the door gasket and edges
The rubber door gasket and the bottom edge of the door never get sprayed, so debris and mold collect there. Clean them with a soapy cloth and toothbrush.
- 05
Reassemble and run empty
Lock the filter and arms firmly back in place, add dishwasher cleaner and run the hottest cycle empty. Use citric acid only if your manufacturer allows it.
- 06
Leave the door open to dry
When the cycle ends, leave the door slightly open until the interior is completely dry. Removing moisture stops odors returning.
Be careful
- Regular dish soap in a dishwasher foams over and can cause breakdowns and leaks. Use it only for hand-washing the filter.
- Bleach damages the stainless interior and rubber parts. Do not use it in a dishwasher.
- Running without the filter lets debris into the pump. Double-check that it is back in.
- Cycles and approved cleaners vary by manufacturer. Read your manual first.
Malkkeum tips
- Scrape off large food scraps before loading and filter cleaning gets much easier. There is no need to pre-rinse.
- If dishes come out with white spots, check whether the rinse aid has run out.
- If you wait a few days to fill a load, leave the door slightly open to reduce odor.
If your dishwasher smells
The cause is almost always food trapped in the filter. The filter is not flushed clean each cycle; debris keeps accumulating, and within a week or so a sour smell appears. If it smells, clean the filter before running a cleaning cycle.
If dishes are not getting clean
When food is left on dishes, check three things: whether the filter is clogged, whether the spray arm holes are blocked, and whether a dish is stopping the arms from turning. One of these is almost always the answer.
FAQ
Can I use citric acid? Citric acid helps with limescale, but some manufacturers advise against it because of possible damage to rubber parts. Check your manual, and if in doubt, use a dedicated dishwasher cleaner.
