If your dishes come out with bits of food still stuck to them, or if there is a persistent bad smell after a cycle, the filter is almost certainly to blame. It does a lot of quiet work--trapping food particles to stop the drain blocking--but gets very little attention until something goes wrong.
Cleaning the dishwasher filter is one of the quickest, highest-impact maintenance tasks you can do. Takes about five minutes once you know how. No tools. No special products. And it makes a noticeable difference to both how clean your dishes come out and how the machine smells.
Here at National Appliance Repairs, we service dishwashers across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. A blocked or neglected filter is one of the most common reasons customers call us. Before you reach for the phone, check whether a simple filter clean solves the problem.
What Does a Dishwasher Filter Actually Do?
The filter sits at the base of the dishwasher tub, right under the lower spray arm. Its job is to catch food particles, grease, and debris during a wash cycle. That way they do not recirculate back onto your dishes or clog the drain pump.
Most modern Australian dishwashers--including popular brands like Bosch, Fisher & Paykel, Miele, Smeg, and Electrolux--use a manual filter system. That is a cylindrical mesh filter you have to clean by hand. Older dishwashers sometimes had self-cleaning filters built in, but you do not see those much anymore.
CHOICE Australia says grease and food scraps collecting in the filter cause most dishwasher odour and hygiene problems. A filter full of old, rotting food residue also makes the machine underperform. Your dishes come out less clean than they should be.
How Often Should You Clean the Dishwasher Filter?
For a typical Australian household using the dishwasher daily:
- Inspect: Once a week (just a visual check takes 30 seconds)
- Rinse under water: Every one to two weeks if used heavily
- Full clean (soak and scrub): Once a month
If you have a large household, frequently wash heavily soiled pots and pans, or run the dishwasher multiple times per day, increase the cleaning frequency. In a rental property context, filters often go uncleaned for months at a time -- getting into a monthly habit prevents the machine from deteriorating.
What You'll Need
- Hot water
- Dish soap (a few drops)
- A soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush
- White vinegar (optional, for stubborn build-up)
- A bowl or sink basin large enough to submerge the filter
- Rubber gloves (recommended -- it's not a glamorous job)
Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter
Step 1: Remove the Bottom Rack
Pull out the bottom dish rack. Set it aside. Now you can actually see the base of the dishwasher where the filter lives.
Step 2: Locate and Remove the Filter
Look for a round opening in the centre or rear of the dishwasher floor. That is where the filter assembly sits. It usually has two parts: a cylindrical upper filter and a flat mesh plate underneath (the lower filter). Together they trap particles of different sizes.
Here is how to remove them.
Twist the upper cylinder anticlockwise until it unlocks. That is usually about a quarter-turn. Lift it out. Then lift out the flat lower filter from the surrounding housing.
Not sure how your specific model comes apart? Check the user manual. Or search online for your dishwasher model. For dishwasher repairs or questions about a particular model, we are happy to help.
Step 3: Rinse Under Hot Water
Hold both filter pieces under the hot tap. Rinse away loose food particles. A lot of the debris will wash off right away. If you cleaned the filter recently, this might be all you need.
Still see grease, a slimy film, or food stuck in the mesh? Move to the next step.
Step 4: Soak in Soapy Water (or Vinegar)
Fill your sink or a large bowl with hot water. Add a few drops of dish soap. Drop both filter pieces in. Let them soak for five to ten minutes. This loosens grease and softens any dried-on food.
Has it been a while since the last clean? Significant build-up? Add half a cup of white vinegar to the soak water instead of--or in addition to--the dish soap. The acetic acid in vinegar breaks down grease and mineral deposits really well.
Step 5: Scrub the Mesh
After the soak, grab a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush. Gently scrub the mesh on both filters. Pay extra attention to the fine mesh screen on the flat lower filter. Food particles love getting lodged in that weave.
Do not use anything abrasive. No steel wool. No scouring pad. That damages the mesh and makes it worse at trapping particles.
Step 6: Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse both parts under hot running water. Keep going until the water runs clear and no soap or debris remains.
Hold each filter up to the light. Look at the mesh. Still looks clogged? Repeat the soak and scrub.
Step 7: Clean Around the Filter Housing
Before you put the filter back, take a damp cloth or your toothbrush and wipe around the filter housing in the base of the dishwasher. Food and grease collect there too. Leave it dirty and you are wasting half the benefit of a clean filter.
Step 8: Reinstall the Filter
Place the flat lower filter back into the housing. Insert the cylindrical upper filter. Twist it clockwise to lock it in place. It should sit flush and turn smoothly. If it feels stiff or will not lock, pull it out and check the seating. Then replace the bottom rack. Done.
Common Filter Problems and What They Mean
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Dishes have food bits after washing | Filter clogged | Clean filter; check spray arms |
| Dishwasher smells bad | Bacteria and mould in filter | Full filter soak and vinegar clean |
| Water pooling at bottom after cycle | Filter or drain blocked | Clean filter; inspect drain area |
| White film on dishes | Hard water scale in machine | Descale with vinegar; check salt level |
| Filter won't come out | Incorrect twist direction | Turn anticlockwise; check manual |
When the Filter Isn't the Problem
If you've cleaned the filter thoroughly and your dishwasher still:
- Isn't draining properly
- Leaves dishes dirty or wet
- Makes unusual grinding or rattling noises
- Shows an error code on the display
...then the issue has moved beyond simple maintenance and likely involves a component fault -- a blocked drain pump, a failing spray arm, a water inlet valve issue, or a sensor problem. These aren't DIY fixes.
We provide dishwasher repairs across all major Australian cities, with same-day service available for urgent faults. Our technicians carry parts for the most common brands and models, so many repairs can be completed in a single visit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I know if my dishwasher has a manual or self-cleaning filter?
Look at the bottom. See a mesh thing you can twist out by hand? That is manual. Clean it regularly. No removable filter? Check your manual. Some old models have self-cleaning filters. They are noisier but need less attention from you.
Can I put the filter in the dishwasher to clean it?
You can. But do not bother. The spray arms will not hit the fine mesh properly. And any gunk on the filter just ends up back on your dishes. Hand-clean with a brush. Takes a few minutes. Works better.
Filter looks clean but dishwasher still smells. Now what?
Check the door seal. Mould hides there. Wipe with a vinegar-dampened cloth. Check the spray arm holes too. Still stinky? Run a hot cycle with a cup of vinegar in the top rack--empty dishwasher. Then a baking soda cycle.
Is there a special product for cleaning filters?
No. Dish soap and hot water. That is it. White vinegar for grease and scale. Commercial cleaners are fine for the machine itself. But they do not clean your filter for you.
How long does a filter last?
The life of the machine. If you are gentle with it. No steel wool. No hard scrubbing. If the mesh is torn or warped, get a new one. A technician can supply the right filter for your model.
Conclusion
Here is the truth. Cleaning the dishwasher filter is the most effective maintenance task you will ever do for this machine. Five minutes a month. That is all it takes. No smells. No pump failures. Just properly clean dishes, cycle after cycle.
If filter cleaning doesn't solve your dishwasher's issues, or if you'd like a professional to run a full service on the machine, National Appliance Repairs is here to help. We service all major dishwasher brands across Australia -- call 1300 434 380 for a free phone consultation.
