Most newer dishwashers use a removable manual filter instead of an old grinder-style self-cleaning filter. If it is never cleaned, trapped food can smell and recirculate onto dishes.
This applies to modern Bosch, Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, LG, KitchenAid, Frigidaire, and similar dishwashers with removable filters.
Does this affect you?
Use this if glasses are cloudy, dishes feel gritty, the dishwasher smells, or nobody in the house remembers ever cleaning the filter.
How often to clean it
- Every 2 to 4 weeks for an average household running the dishwasher every day or two.
- Weekly if you run daily loads, skip rinsing, or wash greasy pans and pulpy scraps.
- Sooner if you smell mustiness, see food left on dishes, find cloudy grit on glasses, or notice standing water.
- About monthly for one- or two-person households that run fewer loads.
How to clean it
- Pull out the bottom rack.
- Find the round twist-lock filter in the tub floor.
- Turn it counterclockwise and lift it out.
- Rinse it under hot running water.
- Scrub the mesh with a soft brush or old toothbrush.
- Wipe loose debris from the sump well.
- Check the drain opening for visible scraps.
- Drop the filter back in and twist clockwise until it locks.
A filter that is not locked in can rattle or let debris back into the wash water. A clogged filter also makes the pump work harder, which can contribute to poor cleaning, odor, and drain or circulation errors.
Tie the task to a monthly habit you already remember, such as replacing HVAC filters, paying rent, or restocking detergent. The calendar matters less than making the filter check routine.
Sources
- Whirlpool – How to Clean Your Dishwasher Filter (2025)
- Bosch Home – Cleaning the Dishwasher Filter (2025)
- GE Appliances – Dishwasher Filter Maintenance (2024)