The dishwasher filter is the single most neglected maintenance item in most kitchens. It's also the cause of more dishwasher repair calls than almost anything else — not because it breaks, but because homeowners don't know it exists until something goes wrong.
Do All Dishwashers Have a Filter?
Most dishwashers built after 2010 have a manual-clean filter — a cylindrical mesh screen at the bottom of the tub that you remove and rinse by hand. Older machines (pre-2010) often had self-cleaning filters with a built-in grinder that pulverized food particles, but these were phased out because they were loud and used more water. If your dishwasher is relatively quiet, it almost certainly has a manual filter that needs regular cleaning.
Where to Find It
Look at the bottom of the dishwasher tub, directly under the lower spray arm. You'll see a circular assembly — usually a coarse mesh outer filter and a finer cylindrical inner filter that twists out. On most brands it's in the centre or slightly toward the back. Common locations by brand:
- Bosch — centre bottom, twist counterclockwise to remove
- Samsung and LG — centre bottom, lift and twist
- Whirlpool and Maytag — rear centre, quarter-turn counterclockwise
- Miele — front left corner, twist and lift
- KitchenAid — centre, similar to Whirlpool
Check your manual if you're unsure — most manuals are available as free PDFs from the manufacturer's website if you search the model number.
How to Clean It — Step by Step
Step 1: Remove the lower rack so you have clear access to the bottom of the tub.
Step 2: Twist the cylindrical inner filter counterclockwise (usually a quarter turn) and lift it straight out. Then lift out the flat mesh outer filter underneath it.
Step 3: Rinse both pieces under warm running water. Use a soft brush — an old toothbrush works perfectly — to scrub the mesh. Don't use abrasive scrubbers that could damage the mesh.
Step 4: If there's grease buildup, soak the filter in warm soapy water for 10 minutes before scrubbing.
Step 5: Rinse thoroughly and reinstall. The flat outer filter goes in first, then the cylindrical inner filter twists back clockwise to lock.
How Often Should You Clean It?
The manufacturer recommendation for most brands is once a month. In practice, how often you need to clean it depends on how heavily you use the dishwasher and whether you rinse dishes before loading. A family running two loads a day should clean the filter every two weeks. Someone using the dishwasher a few times a week can probably get away with once a month.
The easiest approach is to add it to your monthly routine — pick a fixed day, pull the filter out, rinse it, put it back. It takes three minutes.
What Happens If You Don't Clean It
A clogged filter causes a cascade of problems, roughly in this order as it gets worse:
- Dishes come out with a white film or food residue
- Bad smell from the dishwasher — food particles decomposing in the filter
- Standing water at the bottom of the tub after a cycle
- Error codes related to drainage (Bosch E24/E25, Samsung 9E)
- Drain pump failure from working too hard against restricted flow
The last point is important — a chronically clogged filter forces the drain pump to work harder than it's designed to. Over time this causes premature pump failure. A drain pump replacement costs several hundred dollars. Cleaning the filter costs nothing.
Beyond the Filter — Spray Arm Maintenance
While you have the filter out, take 30 seconds to check the spray arms. Spin them by hand — they should rotate freely. Look at the small holes along each arm and clear any that are blocked with a toothpick. Hard water deposits are common in Edmonton and can block spray arm holes over time, reducing wash coverage and leaving dishes dirty in certain areas of the rack.
If cleaning the filter and spray arms doesn't resolve your dishwasher problems, the issue is deeper — a failing pump, a blocked drain hose, or a control board issue. Those need a technician. See our full breakdown of dishwasher not draining causes for what to check next, or book a same-day diagnosis and we'll find it.