Dishwasher Filter: How Often to Clean It and How to Do It

What It Means

A dishwasher filter is the screen at the bottom of the tub, under the lower rack, that catches food and grit so it isn't washed back over the dishes. On many models it comes out so you can rinse it by hand, and a clogged one shows up as dirty or gritty dishes and a bad smell. Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Bosch and GE Appliances all publish steps for finding and cleaning it.

Try It: Is Your Dishwasher Filter Due?

Pick how much you use the dishwasher, then tick any sign you've noticed. Based on Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Bosch and GE Appliances guidance.

Use

Usual schedule

Every 3 to 6 months

Dishes come out dirty The dishwasher smells I can see food or soil on the filter Dishes feel gritty

Signs ticked0

No signs yet. Stick to the usual schedule.

How It Sounds at Home

"The glasses are coming out cloudy, check the filter."
"Pull the bottom rack out, the filter's under there."
"It stinks in there again."

The Breakdown

How often (the makers' guidance)

How you use it	Clean the filter	Source
Most households	Every 3 to 6 months	Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Bosch, GE Appliances
Daily use or a large household	About every 2 weeks	Same makers
Any sign of trouble	Now	Same makers
Your exact model	As the owner's manual says	Your manual

How to clean it

Pull out the bottom rack.
Find the filter in a back corner of the tub or around the base of the lower spray arm.
Twist or lift it out as your manual shows.
Rinse it under warm water; soak it a few minutes if food is stuck.
Scrub gently with an old toothbrush or a sponge. Never use a wire brush or wire sponge, which can damage the mesh.
Put it back and lock it in place before the next load.

Make it last. Scraping plates before loading keeps less food headed for the filter, which is Buhata's suggestion.

Good to Know

The signs the makers list are dishes that come out dirty or gritty, a bad smell, soil you can see on the filter, and cleaning that isn't as good as it was. Models differ in where the filter sits and how it comes out, so check your owner's manual or the maker's support site before you twist anything.

FAQ

How often should I clean my dishwasher filter?

Taken together, guidance from Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Bosch and GE Appliances gives every three to six months for most homes and about every two weeks with daily use or a large household. Your owner's manual has the schedule for your model.

Where is the dishwasher filter?

At the bottom of the tub under the lower rack, usually in a back corner or around the base of the lower spray arm.

What can I use to clean the filter?

Warm water, a short soak, and an old toothbrush or sponge. The makers say never to use a wire brush or wire sponge.

Do It in Buhata

Maintenance and Tasks with a repeat

Add "Clean dishwasher filter" to Maintenance with the Household X add-on, or as a Task with a repeat, set to the schedule that fits how often you run it.

Open Buhata

Related Terms and Categories

Dishwasher loading
Arranging dishes in a dishwasher so water and detergent reach every dirty surface: big, messy items below, cups and plastics on top, nothing blocking the spray.
Descaling
Dissolving the mineral scale that hard water leaves inside kettles, coffee makers and other appliances that heat water.
Washing machine cleaning
Cleaning the inside of a washer, including its drum and door seal, so detergent residue, damp and mildew don't build up. Whirlpool advises about once a month.
Garbage disposal cleaning
Keeping a sink garbage disposal clean and odor-free by using it often, scrubbing under the rubber baffle, and grinding only food.

Chores, cleaning and home care

Sources

Whirlpool, "How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter in 3 Steps"; Whirlpool Product Help, "How to Clean the Dishwasher Filters"; KitchenAid, "How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter Quickly & Easily"; Bosch, "How to Properly Clean Your Dishwasher Filter"; GE Appliances, "Dishwasher - How to Clean Fine and Ultra Fine Filters"

Last updated September 30, 2026.

Dishwasher filter