How to Clean the Water Filter in an Electrolux Refrigerator

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Fleet Appliance
June 6, 2022
Electrolux Repair

An Electrolux refrigerator that provides chilled water and ice cubes is a great convenience to have, but it does require a water filter that eventually will need to be changed. 

Although Electrolux recommends changing the filter every six months, how often you need to change the filter is really determined by how often the filter is used and the quality of water your home receives. For instance, a filter that filters hard water (water with high mineral content) needs to be changed more often than if it was filtering soft water.

The easiest way to keep your refrigerator’s water clear and toxin-free is to stick with the Electrolux’s recommendation and change the filter every six months. However, you can extend the life of the water filter by cleaning it once a month.

Keep reading to learn how to clean and replace an Electrolux refrigerator water filter.

This guide applies to Electrolux refrigerators with water filters, including the following models: 

E23CS75DSS0, E23CS75DSS1, E23CS75DSS5, E23CS75DSS7, E23CS75DSS9, E23CS75DSSA, E23CS75DSSC, E23CS78EPS0, E23CS78EPS2, E23CS78ESS0, E23CS78ESS2, EI23BC36IS3, EI28BS56IS5

Where is the refrigerator water filter?

Depending on the model, the water filter can be located in several different locations. If you have a three-door Electrolux refrigerator, the filter housing is usually in the lower-left corner of the fridge. If you have an Electrolux freezer-on-top or side-by-side refrigerator, the filter housing is usually located in the upper-right corner of the fridge compartment.

How to remove an Electrolux refrigerator water filter

Before removing the filter, turn off the ice maker and water dispenser to prevent ice and water from being released while cleaning or changing the water filter. Depending on the refrigerator model, there may be an ice maker OFF switch on the digital display, on the ice maker, or the mechanical arm may need to be lifted to turn it off.

To be extra cautious, you could also turn off the water supply to the refrigerator. However, most Electrolux refrigerator models will automatically stop the water supply when the filter is removed, or the ice maker is turned off.

Next, depending on the model, the filter may have a cover panel to open.

Once you have located the water filter cartridge, ejecting it depends on the refrigerator model. You may need to:

  • Press the eject button and pull it out.
  • Push the filter in towards the back of the fridge to release it.
  • Twist the filter counterclockwise and remove it once it unlocks.

Once you have removed the filter you can either clean or replace it with a new filter.

Why clean the water filter?

Eventually, the water filter will need to be replaced. However, cleaning the filter will help make it last a little longer. If the water quality at your home is low, the filter is more likely to need regular cleaning.

It is really up to you to decide if the time it takes to clean the filter is worth it versus replacing the filter with a new one.

Cleaning the filter can have these benefits:

  • Improve the quality of water
  • Remove debris, mineral buildup, sediment, algae, and bacteria
  • Help the filter last longer
  • Save money in the long run

How to clean the water filter

What you will need

  • Rubbing alcohol, distilled white vinegar, or bleach
  • A container to soak the filter in
  • A soft brush (an old toothbrush is great for cleaning the filter’s crevices)
  • Boxcutter
  • Nylon tie

There are two ways to clean a refrigerator water filter. One is with rubbing alcohol or white vinegar, and the other is with bleach. The bleach method will do more to kill bacteria and make the filter last longer, but it can also damage the filter, and you will have to thoroughly rinse the bleach from the filter before reinstalling it.

Clean and soak in rubbing alcohol or vinegar

  1. Tap the filter over a wastebasket or garbage to remove debris around the filter.
  2. Submerge the filter in rubbing alcohol or white vinegar.
  3. Leave the filter to soak for 30 minutes.
  4. Clean the filter with water and a soft brush.
  5. Rinse the filter under running water until the water coming out of it looks clear.
  6. Air-dry the filter.

Clean and soak the filter in bleach

  1. Cut around the filter perimeter with a boxcutter to remove the netting.
  2. Carefully cut the paper layer as well so that it can be unrolled.
  3. Unroll the paper, leaving a strip still attaching the paper to the filter.
  4. Rinse the filter under water.
  5. Fill a large container with warm water and add a tablespoon of bleach.
  6. Gently scrub the paper layer with the bleach mixture.
  7. Soak the filter in the bleach mixture for 10-15 minutes.
  8. If required, scrub the filter to remove stuck-on debris.
  9. Thoroughly rinse the filter under running water.
  10. Roll the paper back around the filter as tightly as you can.
  11. Secure the paper to the filter with nylon ties.

When replacing the water filter

When you replace the water filter, it is important to make sure the type of filter is compatible with your Electrolux refrigerator model. The refrigerator’s owner’s manual or the old water filter should provide the part number that is required.

Typically, Electrolux refrigerators use Pure Advantage brand water filters, and the part number is often (but not always) EWF01.

How to replace the filter

Whether you have a new filter or a cleaned filter, you can reinstall it in much the same way as you removed it. The most important thing to remember is to make sure the filter aligns with the groves of the housing. You may need to:

  • Push the filter until you hear a click and it locks into place.
  • Put the filter into the housing and twist it counterclockwise until it locks into place.

After installing the filter, if your refrigerator model has the feature, reset the change filter light.

The ice maker and water dispenser can now be turned on again. If you turned off the water supply to the refrigerator, make sure to turn it back on.

The last step is to flush out the system. Use a large pitcher or container to remove about 1 ½ gallons of water from the water dispenser. Keep removing water from the system until the water becomes clear.

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