Help your dishwasher do its job by staying on top of this simple maintenance task.

It might be a surprise thatone of the dirtiest spotsin your home could be your dishwasherparticularly the filter.

Some older dishwashers have self-cleaning filters, which are similar to garbage disposals.

man cleaning dishwasher filter

Credit: Alexander Borisenko/Adobe Stock

Cleaning your dishwasher filter is an easy maintenance task to help your appliance’s performance.

Plus, it only takes a few minutes to complete.

Here’s everything you’re gonna wanna know about how to clean a dishwasher filter.

How to clean a dishwasher filter - step 1

Credit:Brie Goldman

Brie Goldman

Pull Out Bottom Rack

Roll out thebottom rack of your dishwasher.

If there’s a screen at the bottom of your dishwasher, remove that as well.

Find and Remove Dishwasher Filter

First, you’ll need to locate the dishwasher filter.

How to clean a dishwasher filter

Credit:Brie Goldman

The filter usually looks like a cylinder with fine mesh around the sides.

Removing the dishwasher filter is simple.

Sometimes there’s an additional flat filter that also needs to be removed.

How to clean a dishwasher filter - step 2

Credit:Brie Goldman

Wash by Hand

Wash the dishwasher filter by hand in your kitchen sink.

It might just need aquick spray with your kitchen faucetif it’s pretty clean.

Avoid wire brushes or rough scrubbing that could damage delicate dishwasher filters.

How to clean a dishwasher filter - step 3

Credit:Brie Goldman

Once clean, rinse the filter thoroughly with water.

Return to Dishwasher

Pop the dishwasher filter back into place and twist it to lock.

If there’s a screen that needs to be put back on, ensure it’s tightened in place.

How Often Do you gotta Clean a Dishwasher Filter?

This is a job you’ll want to stay on top of.

Otherwise, your dishwasher will get stinky, anddishes can come out grittyor with leftover food residue.

Mark your calendar to remind you or commit to doing iton the first of every month.

After a few months, you could tell if you oughta adjust the regularity.

Also, check the cabinets closest to the dishwasher.