Did you know that there is a filter in your dishwasher that needs regular cleaning? The filter’s job is to capture loose food debris and grease residue and prevent them from settling on the dishes. If the filter is clogged, it cannot do its job resulting in your dishes not being cleaned completely. In today’s article, we will show you how to clean dishwasher filter effectively. Get started now!
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What is a Dishwasher Filter?
Your dishwasher’s filter, which is in charge of cleaning and eliminating all of the dishwater used during a wash cycle, is a crucial component of your appliance. To put it another way, it is a really helpful device that helps stop food particles from spreading and sticking to your clean plates. Additionally, your dishwasher filter prevents the pump from becoming clogged with large pieces of food or other foreign things. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a clean dishwasher filter.
You may keep the same filter in your dishwasher for years by avoiding buildup in and around the filter. What time of year should the dishwasher filter be cleaned? If you have any of the following issues, you need to clean your filter:
- You can see dirt or food particles left behind
- The cleaning performance of the machine has been poor
- Dishes are gritty or dirty to the touch after being cleaned
How to clean dishwasher filter?
Cleaning your dishwasher filter is an easy maintenance chore that boosts your appliance’s performance. Plus, it only takes a few minutes to complete without spending much of your time. Here are the basic steps you need to know how to clean dishwasher filter.
Locate the Dishwasher Filter
Since the filter is located on the inner floor of the dishwasher, it is easier to locate and remove if you take the bottom rack of the dishwasher. Most manual filters are round, have a twist lock that locks into place, and often have arrows showing how to rotate the cylinder to remove it. Some filters are a single cylindrical element, others have a lower secondary flat filter, located below the cylindrical filter. Most flat filters do not lock in place and can be easily lifted out using the hole in the center of the filter. The removal is quite easy without any tools.
Remove and Clean the filter
First, you’ll need to locate your dishwasher’s filter. The filter usually looks like a cylinder with a fine mesh around the sides. Removing the dishwasher filter is very simple. Following the guiding arrows, rotate the cylindrical filter to unlock – most unlock by turning counter-clockwise. Once unlocked, gently pull it up to remove it from the floor of the dishwasher. Then just lift out the bottom filter if present.
Start cleaning
If the filter is fairly clean, it may just require a quick spray with your kitchen faucet. If it has a lot of residue or food residue, soak it in warm soapy water. Pour hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid into the sink or large bowl. Use a good cleaner that contains a degreaser for easier cleaning.
Place the filter(s) in the cleaning solution and soak it for a few minutes to remove debris. Use a sponge, old toothbrush, or soft-bristled nylon brush to gently scrub the debris trapped in the filter from the inside out. Avoid using a wire brush or a rough brush that can damage the dishwasher’s delicate filter. After rinsing is complete, rinse the filter(s) in hot water.
Install the filter back
After everything has been thoroughly cleaned and dried, reassemble the filter in the reverse order of removal. If you have two filters, insert the lower one first, then insert the upper one once more and lock it. Your dishwasher, filter, and dishes could all be harmed by a loose filter. Ensure that the filter is placed in a secure area. That’s it, now your filter and dishwasher are like new again. Those are all the necessary steps for how to clean dishwasher filter.
Tips to keep your Dishwasher Filter clean longer
Spend a few minutes cleaning the inside of your dishwasher while it is empty. Your dishwasher’s interior edges, corners, and hinges undoubtedly have food splatters that need to be cleaned off. Check the cabinets next to the dishwasher as well. Any leftover stains can be gently scrubbed away with the same gentle brush before being removed with a cloth. To keep your dishwasher filter clean for longer, here are a few tips:
- Before putting dishes in the dishwasher, remove any leftovers.
- Run a cleaning cycle once a month when the dishwasher is empty to aid in clearing any grease accumulation both inside and in the filter. On the top shelf, put an open jar with two cups of distilled white vinegar. Regularly perform the hot water cycle to finish the cleaning.
- Make a note in your calendar to remind yourself to change the filter in your dishwasher once a month.
To sum up, this article has shown how to clean dishwasher filter is the most effective. The first time you clean your filter there may be a bad smell, but after a few repeated cleanings, you will find that cleaning the dishwasher filter is no big deal. Your dishes will look cleaner, and good dishwasher maintenance can also extend the life of your dishwasher and keep it in good working order throughout the average life of this critical home appliance.
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