How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter and Fix Dishes That Come Out Dirty

Your dishwasher filter catches food bits so they do not clog the pump or land back on your dishes. When it is full, water cannot flow well, and your dishes suffer. Most people forget it is there.

Follow the steps below, and use the checklist at the end if dishes are still dirty. If your dishwasher leaks or will not drain, we offer emergency and same-day dishwasher service near you in Palo Alto, and you can call 24 hours a day.

Why the filter matters

During a cycle, water sprays your dishes, drops to the bottom, passes through the filter, and is sent back up. Food bits stay in the filter. A clogged filter means less water flow, weak washing, and a bad smell. In a worse case, it can slow the drain.

Step-by-step: how to clean it

1. Turn off the dishwasher. If you can, unplug it or shut off the breaker.
2. Pull out the bottom rack and set it aside.
3. Find the filter at the bottom of the tub. Many are a round cylinder that twists out. Some have a flat mesh screen too.
4. Lift the filter out. Check the manual if it does not come out easily.
5. Rinse it under warm water. Use a soft brush or an old toothbrush on the mesh.
6. Wipe the area under the filter with a cloth. Remove any bits, glass, or seeds.
7. Put the filter back and twist it until it locks.
8. Replace the rack and run a hot cycle.

Check the spray arms too

Spray arms have small holes that can clog with food or hard water scale. Remove each arm if the manual allows, and rinse it. Use a toothpick to clear holes. Spin the arm by hand and make sure it moves freely.

Other reasons dishes come out dirty

• Overloaded racks that block the spray
• Cold water at the start. Run the kitchen tap hot before you start the dishwasher.
• Too little or old detergent
• Hard water film. Use rinse aid and a cleaner cycle now and then.
• A weak circulation pump or clogged drain hose

Hard water leaves a white haze on glasses. A dishwasher cleaner or the method in your manual can help.

Load your dishwasher the right way

• Face dirty sides toward the center, where the spray is strongest.
• Do not let tall items block the spray arm.
• Place bowls upside down and at an angle so water can drain.
• Keep small items like lids in the top rack or a basket.
• Leave a little space between items so water can reach everything.

A good load helps even a clean filter do its job.

A simple monthly dishwasher routine

1. Rinse the filter under warm water.
2. Wipe the door gasket with a damp cloth.
3. Check the spray arms for clogged holes.
4. Run a dishwasher cleaner cycle every month or two, or as your manual advises.
5. Fill the rinse aid if the level is low.

It takes about ten minutes, and it prevents most cloudy glass and smell problems.

When the filter is not the problem

Call a technician if water stays in the tub after you clean the filter, if you hear grinding, if the door leaks, or if an error code returns. A pump, a heater, or a latch may have failed. Our page on dishwasher repair explains what a visit looks like.

If your kitchen sink also drains slowly, read our guide on what can and cannot go down a garbage disposal. The two can share a drain.

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