Quick answer: Remove the filter according to the dishwasher manual, rinse loose debris, and use a soft brush for residue. Do not pry against the mesh, run the dishwasher without the filter, or use harsh chemicals unless the manufacturer specifically allows them.
To clean a removable dishwasher filter, turn the machine off, pull out the lower rack, remove the filter exactly as the owner's manual shows, rinse away loose debris, and use a soft nonabrasive brush only where needed. Reassemble and lock every piece before running another cycle. If the manual describes a self-cleaning filter, do not force it out; use the model-specific maintenance instructions instead.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes.
Find out which filter system you have
Most removable dishwasher filters sit at the bottom of the tub beneath the lower rack, often near the lower spray arm. A common design has a cylindrical inner filter that twists out of a flat mesh screen. That layout is not universal.
Some dishwashers use a self-cleaning filter or grinder system that is not meant to be removed for regular homeowner cleaning. LG notes that certain models do not have the removable three-stage filter shown in its general instructions, and Whirlpool documents maintenance-free filter systems on some machines. The safest first step is therefore identification, not twisting.
- Find the model number on the door edge, tub frame, or rating label.
- Open the official owner's manual or manufacturer support page.
- Look for 鈥渇ilter,鈥?鈥渇iltration system,鈥?or 鈥渃are and maintenance.鈥?/li>
- Confirm whether the filter is removable and note the unlocking direction.
If the manual does not show homeowner removal, leave the assembly in place. Do not copy the motion from a video for a different model.
Gather a small, safe cleaning kit
You usually need only a sink, warm running water, a soft-bristled brush or nonabrasive sponge, a microfiber cloth, and a towel for the floor. Wear cut-resistant or sturdy cleaning gloves if the filter has metal mesh or if broken glass could be present.
Do not start with steel wool, a wire brush, a knife, a pick, bleach, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, or a strong all-purpose chemical. Abrasive tools can distort fine mesh and damage tabs. Dishwasher residue can also contain glass shards, bones, labels, and other sharp debris, so empty the filter carefully rather than squeezing it in your hand.
Clean a removable dishwasher filter step by step
1. Turn the dishwasher off and empty the lower rack
Wait until the machine is cool. Remove dishes and slide the lower rack fully out so you can reach the tub floor without leaning on the open door. If the lower spray arm must move or come out, follow the manual instead of pulling upward by guesswork.
2. Photograph the filter position
Take a clear photo showing the handle, arrows, tabs, and spray-arm position. This gives you a reference for reassembly, especially when the system has a cylinder and a flat screen.
3. Unlock and lift the filter without force
Many removable filters turn counterclockwise before lifting, but use the direction marked on the part or stated in the manual. Keep the filter level so debris does not fall back into the sump. If it does not release with light pressure, stop and confirm the model instructions.
4. Empty debris, then rinse
Tip food scraps into the trash. Rinse the filter under warm running water. Use your fingers on sturdy plastic surfaces and a soft brush on residue that does not release. Bosch recommends mild soap and a soft brush for its removable filters; LG advises running water and nonabrasive cleaning.
Brush away from fragile seams and tabs. Do not enlarge mesh openings or scrape off a surface that may be part of the filter. If grease remains, follow the detergent guidance in the manual rather than soaking the part in an improvised chemical mixture.
5. Wipe the accessible filter well
With the filter out, use a damp cloth to pick up loose particles from the accessible rim. Do not reach into the pump, remove covers, or push a tool into a drain opening unless the manual provides a homeowner procedure. Standing water, broken glass, or a jammed pump can turn a simple cleaning job into a service issue.
6. Reassemble, lock, and check
Put every filter layer back in its original position. Turn or press the assembly until the manual's lock mark, arrow, or click confirms it is secure. LG warns that improper assembly can reduce cleaning performance. Rotate the spray arm by hand only if the manual allows it, checking that it moves freely and does not hit the filter.
Reinstall the rack, then run the short test or normal cycle recommended for the model. Never operate the dishwasher with a required filter missing.
Set the cleaning interval by use, not a universal rule
Manufacturers give different schedules because filter design, loading habits, water conditions, and wash frequency differ. Bosch recommends cleaning some removable filters every few months. LG's schedule ranges from frequent checks to much longer intervals depending on loads per week and how dishes are prepared, while its hard-water guidance can call for at least monthly cleaning on applicable models.
Use the owner's manual as the baseline, then check sooner when you notice:
- Food particles or gritty residue on otherwise clean dishes.
- Visible debris sitting on the filter screen.
- An odor that appears after the door has been closed.
- Water draining more slowly than normal.
- A filter-related message or model-specific error code.
Scrape large food pieces into the trash before loading, but do not assume every dishwasher requires pre-rinsing. Bosch, for example, recommends scraping rather than pre-rinsing for its machines. Follow the loading and detergent directions for your own model.
Avoid the mistakes that damage filters
- Forcing a part that does not turn. It may be locked differently, clipped in place, or not designed for routine removal.
- Using an abrasive brush. Steel wool and hard bristles can damage mesh, plastic tabs, and seals.
- Taking apart more than the manual shows. Filter cleaning is not permission to open the pump or remove an unfamiliar cover.
- Running the machine before the filter is locked. A loose assembly can allow debris to circulate and may interfere with a spray arm.
- Trying several chemicals at once. Never mix cleaning chemicals. A removable filter normally needs mechanical debris removal, water, and only the mild cleaner allowed by the manufacturer.
- Using a cleaning tablet instead of removing trapped food. A machine-cleaning cycle may address compatible internal residue, but it does not replace emptying a removable filter.
Know when the filter is not the whole problem
A clean filter does not fix every dirty-dish or drainage complaint. Check that the spray arms are not blocked by tall items, that dishes are loaded with space between them, that the correct automatic-dishwasher detergent is dosed as directed, and that the drain hose under the sink is not visibly kinked.
Stop and arrange service when standing water remains after the approved checks, a drainage error returns, the filter housing is cracked, the filter will not lock, glass is lodged below the accessible area, the pump makes an unusual sound, or water leaks from the appliance. Do not pour household drain opener into the dishwasher.
If the filter is clean but an odor remains, use the nine-place odor checklist to trace what remains. The source may be the door edge, disposal connection, sink drain, standing moisture, or food debris somewhere other than the filter.
Common questions
Where is the dishwasher filter?
A removable filter is usually on the tub floor beneath the lower rack, near the lower spray arm. Confirm the exact location in the owner's manual because layouts vary.
Can I clean the filter without removing it?
If the manual describes a removable filter, taking it out lets you rinse both sides and inspect the well. If the machine uses a self-cleaning or maintenance-free system, use the model-specific procedure and do not force removal.
How often should I clean a dishwasher filter?
Use the model's schedule. Frequency can change with filter design, loads per week, food left on dishes, and water conditions. Check sooner when debris, odor, grit, or slow drainage appears.
Can I use vinegar, bleach, or drain cleaner on the filter?
Use only the cleaner and method allowed by the dishwasher manufacturer. Never mix chemicals, never use drain cleaner in the dishwasher, and start with warm running water plus a soft nonabrasive brush for a removable filter.
Sources
- Bosch Home US: How to Properly Clean Your Dishwasher Filter
- LG USA Support: How to Clean Your Dishwasher Filter
- LG USA Support: Dishwasher Drainage and Filter Checks
- Maytag: How to Remove and Clean a Dishwasher Filter
- Whirlpool Product Help: Cleaning the Filter - Dishwasher
Reviewed for source accuracy by the Gohall Clean Team on August 16, 2026. Dishwasher designs vary; the owner's manual for your exact model controls.