How to Get Sparkling Dishes with a Clean Dishwasher Filter
Time: 10 – 45 min
Cost:$5
Skill: Easy
Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Read my full disclosure and disclaimers here. This is a DIY cleaning project that is not meant to replace professional advice.
Have you been noticing that your dishes aren’t getting as clean as you would like? Well, the reason could be that you are not operating your machine with a clean dishwasher filter.
A dirty or clogged filter results in less efficient cleaning, gross smells, and dirty water rinsing your dishes. Who wants that? Not me.
I’ve actually known about dishwasher filters for years, but this is my first time giving this process a whirl. Let’s just say, I am very happy I did…it was gross in there!
This home improvement task actually brings me right back to my adventure of cleaning my washing machine. A similar eye-opening experience that really highlights my lack of deep cleaning skills.
Now I can rest easy knowing that my dishwasher isn’t just throwing around old gunk and preventing true cleaning…I mean check out the particles stuck in the visible outer filter holes.
Note: While rinsing your dishes may seem like a good way to avoid having to do this, keep in mind, rinsing dishes uses more resources (I.e. not always environmentally conscious). So it is okay that filters are doing this tough job, we just need to give them the proper maintenance!
Keep reading to see how I cleaned my KitchenAid dishwasher filter for cleaner and shinier dishes.
How to Get a Clean Dishwasher Filter
Here is a list of the tools and supplies that I used to complete this DIY project. These may vary based on the make & model of your dishwasher.
Materials
- Rubber Gloves
- Paper Towels
- Vinegar
- Sponge/Scrubbing Brush
- T-20 Star Bit (Model Dependent)
- T-15 Star Bit (Model Dependent)
- Drill & Drill Bit Extender
- Flashlight
Step One: Remove Dishwasher Racks
Here is how to remove dishwasher racks. It is an easy and quick way to set yourself up for less frustration. I started by only removing the lower rack and realized that the top one was annoyingly in the way as well.
Most racks detach in the same way, with the lower rack sliding right out and the upper rack being released by releasing the clips.
Here is a look at the clips on the kitchen aid dishwasher we have. When the clips are blocking the track they are closed and prevent the upper rack from sliding off the tracks. When the clips are flipped outward it creates an opening for the upper rack to slide right out.
Clips closed preventing the rack from sliding off the tracks.
Clips open allowing you the rack to slide of the tracks.
Now, just set aside those racks and you will have all the wiggle room to do what you need to do.
Step Two: Locate Dishwasher Filter
Alright, so where is the dishwasher filter? Well, this is where things may vary a bit for you. It all depends on your manufacturer and model.
Filters are typically located somewhere on the bottom of the unit. Some are a simple twist while others, like mine, are under the lower spray arms.
These differences are a result of there being two types of dishwasher filters.
- Manual Dishwasher Filters
- Self-Cleaning Dishwasher Filters
The reason for the two types of filters goes back to technological advancements where dishwasher manufactures were able to put food choppers (or grinders) in the machine to break down food particles and avoid significant pre-rinsing by hand.
Sounds great, right?
Unfortunately, as consumers looked for quieter appliances, manufacturers had to make adjustments….and so came the manual cleaning filter!
Manual Dishwasher Filters
In order to give consumers a quieter machine manufacturers removed the food choppers and switched to a system that used water pressure to force particles through a filter. Breaking them up into fine particles to be drained away.
A consequence of this, is that this type of filter requires more frequent cleaning compared to older self-cleaning models. Mostly because not all particles can be forced through the wire mesh, and in general grime can build up on them.
So how frequently should you clean it?
Well, KitchenAid created this handy “How often you should clean your dishwasher filters” chart. Check it out. Apparently waiting 6 years is way off the recommendation.
Although I get some slack since I have a self-cleaning model that should rarely need cleaning.
Self-Cleaning Dishwasher Filters
Although self-cleaning (or maintenance free) models are typically older, they are still in production, as some consumers are not fond of having to clean a filter manually. Instead, they accept the noise levels or simply add extra insulation to help cancel out the sound.
In this tutorial you can see that I have a KitchenAid dishwasher with a self-cleaning filter.
The easiest way to tell if you also have this type of filter is by looking at the base of your dishwasher. See the round filter with visible holes, in my picture below?
This is the cover to the filter system, it is not easily removable, and is considered self-cleaning.
Unfortunately accessing this type of filter is not as easy as dishwashers that feature a simple twist and release manual filter. You actually have to do a little work. Thankfully, you should only have to open the filter up if there are concerns that it may not be functioning as intended. Which should be very infrequent.
Specific Manufacturer Filter Information
Here are some links to the primary brand filter locations
- Maytag Dishwasher Filter
- Samsung Dishwasher Filter
- GE Dishwasher Filter
- Whirlpool Dishwasher Filter
- KitchenAid Dishwasher Filter
- LG Dishwasher Filter
Now that you know where your filter is, let’s get to work.
Note: If you have a simple manual filter you will not need to disassemble the sprayers, unless you want to get a deeper clean for behind them. So you can skip ahead to the cleaning steps!
Step Three: Remove the Lower Dishwasher Spray Arm
Again, I am working with a KitchenAid dishwasher, and in order to access the filter system on this model, the lower spray arm needs to be removed.
Most lower spray arms will be secured in a similar fashion, with a bolt that needs to be held still while you rotate the spray arm counter clockwise to unscrew it.
If the bolt is plastic with little space to grasp (like the KitchenAid one) grab a pair of pliers to hold it in place. While the bolt is stabilized, spin the arm around in a counterclockwise motion until it is completely unscrewed.
Remove and place aside for cleaning.
Step Four: Detach Dishwasher Feed Arm and Upper Sprayer
Ok, so now you have removed your lower spray arm, and you can see in the picture below, that you now have access to the top of the filter screen.
This is what we need to remove.
With the KitchenAid model, you will have to remove 4 screws. One of which is located directly below the start of the feed arm that runs all the way up to the upper spray arm. So it also needs to be removed, or at the very least, pushed out of the way.
This is simple.
The feed arm is held into place by little metal clips. All you have to do is pop them off. There is a clip on the top and about midway down the back.
Once you release the clips pull the feed tube clockwise around the center bolt to release the full feed arm.
You can pop off the blue water sprayer to give it a good clean too!
Step Five: Remove the Strainer
You have now moved the dishwasher racks out of the way, removed the lower and upper spray arms, as well as, the feed arm. The dishwasher should now be clear of any obstructions.
To remove the dishwasher filter top, which contains the initial strainer screen which food passes through.
You are going to need your drill and drill bit kit for this step.
My KitchenAid model requires a T-20 star bit to remove these screws. You can find these in most drill bit kits. We bought this affordable one from Ryobi years ago and it has everything you could need, including a T-20 bit.
Insert the T-20 bit into your drill and use it to remove the 4 screws located on top of the strainer screen.
Once the screws are removed set them safety to the side and make sure you don’t lose them!
I had to use a flat bit to gently pry up the filter.
You could use a flat head screw driver or anything to get a little leverage. I’m guessing it’s just a little sticky since it’s never been cleaned.
Once you have it up you can set it aside for cleaning. As you can see it’s a little gross.
The inside of the filter (what is under the straining screen is also going to be gross. Over time particles may have made their way in there to rot (I did warn you, this isn’t glamorous).
It’s hard to see, but there is a large piece of burnt plastic in the upper left quadrant of the filter, right where the food chopper is.
Step Six: Remove the Food Chopper Cover
Alright, you have officially accessed the filter system of your “self-cleaning” dishwasher.
Depending on how long it has been, and how well you rinse your dishes this will be varying levels of nasty 😬
I won’t lie, I almost threw up at least 5 times. I hate wet food, and anything grimy that resembles wet food….I also didn’t have gloves.
The last piece of the filter system you need to access to make sure you can fully clean the system, is the food chopper cover.
For some reason KitchenAid decided to use a different size screw for this piece, so you will need a T-15 bit and likely an extender to reach into the hole.
Again, my Ryobi drill bit kit came in handy with this extender.
Insert the T-15 bit into the drill, via an extender, and unscrew the screw.
Once removed, push the plastic cover to the right to release the clip and remove the plastic cover.
This is another piece that will likely have some disgusting gunk stuck to it. Remove it and set it aside for cleaning.
Getting this piece out of the way allows you to get a better look at the food chopper inside the dishwasher filter system.
Step Seven: Clean the Removed Pieces and Interior of Filter System
Now that you have all your pieces removed it is time to get to cleaning!
Start by rinsing all the pieces in your sink. This will remove any loose grime and gunk, and could possibly be all that is needed.
As you can see our pieces were pretty gross and had a layer of grime that had formed on them, so I moved on to scrubbing. Most many factors recommend using a soft brush (or tooth brush) on any screen materials, to avoid potential damage.
I used vinegar and water, but you can use dish soap as well. Using a sponge and scrubbing brush I made my way through all the pieces, until the grime was gone.
Make sure you pay attention to any little crevasses. You spent all that time taking this apart, so give it a good clean while you have it out and accessible!
Once all your plastic pieces are clean, you are going to want to get into the filter system and clean out any residue and remnants that may be lingering in there. I used a paper towel and wiped the whole thing down, making sure to grab any pieces that were in there.
I also wiped down the back and front of the feed arm that was still sitting to the side of my dishwasher.
Pay attention to the food chopper that is now exposed. The metal screen that backs it is sharp enough to catch on rags, paper towels, or even your hands.
Again you put some work into accessing this space, take the extra minute to make it sparkle!
Step Eight: Reassemble and Run a Rinse Cycle
That’s it! Everything is clean and ready to function the way it was made to. Now it is time to reassemble your pieces.
You are going to go in the reverse order of how you took it apart. As a quick reminder that means:
- Clip the food chopper cover back into place
- Secure using a T-15 bit and existing screw
- Replace straining basket
- Secure using a T-20 bit and existing (4) screws
- Replace feed arm/upper sprayer by twisting back into place from a counter clockwise motion
- Replace spray extender (blue piece) and clip entire feed arm into metal clips
- Replace lower sprayer arm
- Secure by holding plastic bolt and spinning clockwise
- Replace dishwasher racks by sliding lower one onto track, and upper by sliding into tracks and flipping clasps
Lastly, run a vinegar wash. In a completely empty dishwasher, take a dishwasher safe container and fill it with 2 cups of vinegar.
Set dishwasher to the hottest rinse setting, and run the cycle.
This will get your dishwasher nice and shiny clean, ready for many more months (or years) of cycles before you finally decide to repeat this process.
Enjoy your Sparkling Dishes and Clean Dishwasher Filter!
This DIY cleaning project is a quick and inexpensive way to feel better about what is coming out of your dishwasher.
If you want to tackle a similar cleaning project, check out What’s Hiding Inside Your Washing Machine. You will be equally grossed out by the grime, and will feel so good knowing your clothes are actually getting clean.
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