Most dishwashers have filters, and some are easier to access than others. If your dishwasher was manufactured after 2010, it should have a removable filter, which only needs to be turned counterclockwise to remove it. If you have an older dishwasher, you may need to remove screws that secure the sump cover to access the self-cleaning filter assembly.
The filter does a great job of stopping food debris and foreign objects, like glass, from damaging your pump or causing a blockage. However, the filter needs to be cleaned sometimes; otherwise, the debris it collects can end up on your dishes and also clog the drainage system.
Giving the dishwasher a deep clean will also ensure your dishes come out looking clean and ready to use.
Cleaning the filter with dish soap and warm water is usually all that’s required. However, a particularly dirty filter will benefit from being soaked in vinegar. Vinegar has sanitizing properties and it deodorizes and cuts through grease.
If the dishwasher filter is covered in mold and mildew that won’t come off, soaking it in bleach will do the job. Just don’t use bleach if the filter is stainless steel or it has stainless steel components.
Properly cleaning the dishwasher filter also requires:
If the dishwasher has a removable filter, you should see it in the dishwasher basin underneath the spray arm. It’s usually a cylinder and it may have an additional coarse filter that’s typically a flat half-circle.
If the dishwasher doesn’t have a removable filter, the self-cleaning filter assembly is located underneath the sump cover.
If the filter is still dirty, soak it in vinegar for longer, or soak it in bleach and then scrub and rinse with water.
The filter usually sits above the pump, which can also get clogged with food debris and foreign objects. Depending on the type of dishwasher, when the filter is removed, you may see the pump impeller or the pump impeller cover.
The pump impeller cover usually has a tab that can be pulled to remove it. You may need a knife, spoon, or flat-edge screwdriver to move the tab so that you can lift it out with your fingers.
Sometimes, debris accumulates around the pump impeller, which causes a blockage or damage to the impeller. Carefully clean the area (there may be glass shards) and make sure the impeller can turn freely. Replace the pump impeller cover when done.
Accessing the sump cover requires the removal of the spray arm. Depending on the type of dishwasher, you may need to remove the spray arm assembly, which runs up the back wall of the dishwasher.
The assembly usually clips onto the dishwasher wall; with some models, it may need to be unscrewed. Unclipping the assembly requires some force so be careful not to break it. Typically, the spray arm assembly needs to be removed to access all four of the sump cover screws.
Depending on the dishwasher type, you may see covers or components that can be removed to further clean the sump and the self-cleaning filter assembly. (See pump impeller cleaning instructions above.)
When the area is clean, put the covers back on and rescrew the sump cover screws. Reinstall the spray arm assembly and the bottom spray arm. The spray arm assembly should clip back in the same way it was removed.
After cleaning the filter and returning it to the dishwasher, either vinegar or baking soda can be used to deep clean the dishwasher.
You should now have a very clean dishwasher.
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