Do you know what’s a common household problem? Putting your dishes inside the dishwasher expecting them to come out clean but they have food stuck to them. Once in life, everyone has had this problem. A lot of homeowners actually blame this issue on their dishwasher or detergent. But that’s not the reason. The real culprit is actually sitting at the bottom of your appliance and is called a dirty dishwasher filter. You can easily solve this problem if you just clean the filter and keep a check on it based on how you use it. To answer all your questions about ‘what, how and why’, this blog will talk about everything you should know about a clean dishwasher filter.
Get to Know Your Dishwasher Filter
The filters are actually the actual heroes that clean your dishes to perfection. This small yet important part is located at the bottom of every dishwasher tub. It mainly catches all the remaining food particles, debris, and any other material that can make your dishes dirty again during the wash cycle. If this filter is maintained properly, these trapped particles can end up giving you and your appliance a lot of issues in terms of the cleanliness of dishes and the dishwasher’s performance.
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If Your Dishwasher Filter is Dirty
Before diving into how and when you should clean the filter, you must know how to recognise that your filter needs a little bit of your attention. It starts to give some warning signs when it is time for maintenance:
- Dishes feel gritty or have visible food particles after washing.
- Strange odors coming from the dishwasher.
- Water drains slowly during or after cycles.
- Visibly, debris is at the bottom of the dishwasher.
- Weird sounds when working.
- Poor cleaning performance, especially on the bottom rack.
How Often Should You Clean the Filter?
The frequency of filter cleaning depends on a lot of factors:
For Regular Household Use
With normal use and proper pre-rinsing habits, cleaning the filter in 3 to 6 months is more than enough maintenance. But, this schedule depends on how you use it.
Factors That Require More Regular Cleaning
If you are a homeowner who runs your dishwasher daily, then you would need to clean monthly. But even in this, there are a few factors that might require more frequent maintenance.
- Heavy cooking habits with lots of starchy or greasy foods.
- Skipping the pre-rinse before loading dishes.
- Hard water in your area.
- Multiple daily dishwasher cycles.
- Large household size with a lot of dishwasher usage.
For Light Users
People who use their dishwasher rarely like once or twice a week can clean in regular intervals in 6 months. This is okay if you maintain good pre-rinsing habits and don’t notice any performance issues.
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The Impact of a Dirty Filter
Do you know what happens if you forget to clean the filter?
Poor Cleaning Ability
A dirty dishwasher filter will stop the water flow, and prevent proper circulation during the cycles. This can end up in your dishes needing rewashing, wasting time, water and energy.
Potential Appliance Damage
When a lot of waste gets collected, it strains the dishwasher’s pump and motor. If you don’t clean the filter, this might lead to costly repairs or even complete system failure.
Higher Energy Costs
A dishwasher with a dirty filter works harder to clean which in turn uses more energy. This means you would have to pay higher utility bills.
Health Problems
The trapped food can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and mould. This will be very unhygienic and spread a bad smell in your kitchen.
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Simple Steps for a Clean Filter
Step 1: Location and Removal
Dishwasher filters are always at the bottom of the dishwasher tub, and mostly in the back corner. To be sure of it, check your appliance manual once for a very specific location. Once you spot it, just twist the filter counterclockwise to remove it.
Step 2: Cleaning Process
- Clean it under running water.
- Soak the filter in warm, soapy water for 10-15 minutes.
- Gently scrub it with a soft brush to remove any stubborn stains or particles.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Also, check for damage or wear when you are cleaning.
Step 3: Putting it Back
- Make sure that the filter is totally dry.
- Align it properly and then twist it clockwise until it locks.
- Run an empty cycle to check if it is installed properly.
Preventive Measures
These practices will help you keep your filter clean which will also help you increase the time between cleanings.
Pre-Rinsing
Modern dishwashers can easily handle some food particles. Nut, scraping off your plates and rinsing them reduces filter strain by a whole lot. FYI, this doesn’t mean pre-washing, it is just removing big food.
Loading Techniques
Proper loading also decreases stress on the filter. Remember to keep heavy items at the bottom rack, angled downward, where the spray arm’s force is strongest. This helps the dishwasher clean everything in a better way.
Water Temperature
Using hot water helps break down food and grease even before they reach the filter. Before you start to use your dishwasher, you should run hot water in your sink to make sure the cycle uses hot water.
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When to Call a Professional
You can easily clean the dishwasher filter all by yourself, but some situations need expert help like:
- There is damage to the filter
- Constant poor performance even after regular cleaning
- Weird noises and other operation issues
- Difficulty in removing or putting the filter back
Conclusion
To have a good dishwasher that works perfectly, you need to focus on its filter maintenance. It is the main part that keeps your dishes clean and protects your appliance. The trick behind knowing when to clean the dishwasher filter is to notice and understand how you use it in the first place. Know what are the signs of a dirty filter and clean it properly. Regular filter maintenance helps you avoid costly repairs, reduces energy consumption and increases your dishwasher’s life. So, make sure to include cleaning in your routine household maintenance. The effort you put into learning how to clean dishwasher filters pays off when it becomes better in everything – performance, energy efficiency, and clean dishes. But if you come across any problem, simply call Barton Appliance Repair technicians to solve them quickly!
