How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher Filter?

Dishwashers are finally getting the recognition they deserve as a major household appliance that plays a huge role in keeping your home clean. They’re one of the most common appliances in the United States and are used by over half of households. They’re also an essential part of any home and are often responsible for saving a lot of time and energy when it comes to doing dishes. But many people don’t realize that dishwashers can save a lot of money compared to washing dishes by hand.

In a world where people now prioritize comfort and convenience, having home appliances that make life easier is no longer a surprise. The latest advancements in technology have given us the ability to have our homes run by artificial intelligence to complete tasks for us. Users can ask their smart devices various questions, such as the score of a sports game or the weather for the next day, and they will respond with the information. These devices can also be programmed to perform certain tasks, such as turning off the lights in a room or turning on the heat when the temperature falls below a certain threshold.

Appliances like the refrigerator, washing machine, cooking range, dishwasher, and blender are some of the most popular appliances, and, over the years, they’ve become so important that they can be found in almost every household across the United States. In most cases, these appliances have long since become a permanent fixture in the home and are used almost daily. But even though these appliances have become such an integral part of our modern society, they weren’t always so well-known or widely used. In fact, many of the earliest appliances were considered nothing more than novelties at first.

The refrigeration industry alone is worth millions of dollars, and the consumer appliance industry is worth over $400 billion, according to Statista. Over the years, these appliances have become so important that they’ve been included in the US federal government’s energy conservation standards for federal buildings and are now required in new homes by the federal government’s energy conservation standards for new homes. However, these energy standards have also had an impact on the refrigeration industry and the consumer appliance industry. One of the main impacts has been that the refrigeration and consumer appliance industries now have to meet the same federal energy standards.

Lately, however, refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances have become more energy-efficient and even more durable, making them even more popular. Refrigerators and freezers today are much more energy-efficient than what was available just a few decades ago. The energy efficiency of refrigerators and freezers has also increased dramatically over the years, with the most energy-efficient models available today consuming little energy per year.

The dishwasher may not have achieved the cult-hero status compared to how respected and popular the refrigerator is, but it doesn’t hide the fact that a dishwasher is also an important appliance. It’s an appliance that will help you clean your dishes and keep your kitchen clean. It can also help you save money by reducing the time it takes to do all the dishes in your sink. The biggest benefit of owning a dishwasher is that it helps you maintain a clean kitchen so that you can eat healthier and feel better when you’re in your home. There are several types of dishwashers to choose from, including front-loading, top-loading, and stack-and-wash dishwashers.

When you have a dishwasher, you can’t imagine your life without it. It does the dirty job of washing your dishes for you, so it’s not only the perfect appliance for the person who wants a clean home but also for the person who doesn’t have much time to spend cleaning. You can’t even imagine how much time you’ll save having a dishwasher in your home. However, if your dishwasher isn’t working properly, then it won’t do its job properly, and you’ll have to spend more time cleaning.

Just like a refrigerator, a dishwasher needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. The best method to clean your dishwasher involves using a dishwasher cleaner. Various dishwasher cleaners are available in the market, but not all are good for your dishwasher. Some may not be good for your dishwasher’s interior, and some may not be safe for its exterior.

Cleaning your dishwasher regularly is one of the best ways to keep it functioning at the highest level, but not too many people realize this as they continue to use their dishwashers without ever thinking of cleaning them. The problem is that over time, the inside of your dishwasher becomes filled with dirt, food particles, and other gunk that is hard to get out and can cause your dishwasher not to function as well as it could. Always clean your dishwasher regularly to keep it running optimally and avoid any potential issues with your appliance.

When you don’t clean your dishwasher, the build-up of dirt and food eventually leads to leaks, which can be costly to fix. It’s important to clean your dishwasher on a regular basis, especially if it’s not working properly. This can be as simple as running the dishwasher without any dishes in it and then taking a damp cloth and wiping down the interior. But if your dishwasher isn’t cleaning as well as it should, you’ll need to clean it a little bit differently.

Every dishwasher comes with a filter that collects dirt and debris. This filter needs to be cleaned regularly to keep the machine running smoothly. It’s important to check the filter periodically for clogged or obstructed areas. This helps avoid the buildup of dirt that can cause the machine to jam or not work properly.

Inspect the area around the filter to ensure there aren’t any obstructions preventing the flow of water. Remove any debris that may be clogging the unit. If the area around the filter is clogged, try blowing out the filter with air from a can or a vacuum cleaner. Knowing when to clean the dishwasher filter and knowing how to clean the dishwasher filter is a good way to ensure your machine continues working efficiently.

We’ll get into the process to adopt when cleaning a dishwasher filter in a minute, but before then, let’s quickly look at some of the things you can do to prolong your dishwasher’s lifespan so it can continue working efficiently for a long time.

Prolong Your Dishwasher’s Life With These Simple Tips

Considering the amount of money an average dishwasher costs, it’s only smart that you want to do what you can to make yours last for a long period. A good dishwasher is built to last for many years, but without the right maintenance, you’ll replace it sooner than you’d like. One of the best ways to ensure the longevity and performance of your dishwasher is by keeping up with the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.  Regular dishwasher maintenance can extend the lifespan of your machine, improve its efficiency, and avoid costly repairs.

With some simple tricks, you can make your dishwasher last even longer than the estimated time the manufacturer has given. It’s always good to be well informed about these things as you’ll be saving yourself a lot of money on unnecessary repairs, replacements, and others. Check out some of these tips below and add some good years to your dishwasher’s life!

Always Check the Spray Arms For Clogs

One big mistake people often make with their dishwashers is they always don’t check the spray arms for clogs. A clogged spray arm can cause water to come out as a spray rather than a drip, forcing it to hit the sides of the machine. This can lead to water damage and dripping, which in turn can lead to ruined dishes. Not only could this cause a huge mess, but it could put your food health at risk by spraying dishes with dirty water, which can lead to bacterial growth.

According to a post on Good Housekeeping, if you use your dishwasher very often, you should always remove the spray arms regularly for cleaning, mostly in a mixture of water and liquid soap. While you’re doing this, perform a simple trick of running water through each spray arm; if it comes out fine without any disturbance, it means the arms are not clogged. Otherwise, you should know the arms are blocked and must be cleared as soon as possible. Small food particles are usually the common culprits, so always ensure to look out for them when cleaning the spray arms.

Deep Clean Regularly

If you’re going to be honest with yourself, of all the appliances you have in your space, the dishwasher has to be the one that is least cleaned, and that’s because people don’t pay enough attention to it. According to a survey conducted by Appliances Direct, most dishwasher users only clean their machines thrice a year, which is not ideal. If you want your dishwasher to last as long as you want, you must deep clean it regularly. Doing this will significantly extend its life and prevent the buildup of soap scum, which can cause smells, stains, and soap scum buildup that damage the finish. Not only can this damage the appearance of your dishes, but it can also damage the performance of your dishwasher.

The best way to clean your dishwasher is to use a soapy solution and the hot cycle. This will help remove all the gunk built up over time. If you are looking for an inexpensive and easy way to deep clean your dishwasher, do not use a chemical-based cleaner. They are harsh on the dishwasher and can damage it. You can opt for commercial cleaners, but you have to ensure that they don’t have chemicals that can harm your dishwasher.

Clean the Filter Regularly

Another thing you can do to prolong your dishwasher’s life is to clean the filter regularly. The filter captures grease and soap, which can build up and negatively affect your dishwasher’s performance. The best way to clean the filter is with a special brush that’s designed to remove stubborn stains. You can also use a small amount of dishwashing soap and a soft cloth to clean it. Over time, the build-up of soap, food particles, and other debris can cause your dishwasher to malfunction and not clean your dishes as well.

The filter is where the dirt and grime are accumulated. Over time, this dirt and grime can cause your dishwasher to use more water and energy, leading to expensive repairs. The best way to clean the filter is to run the dishwasher with no dishes, then run it with a full load of dirty dishes. This will help your filter to stay clean.

Get Rid of Food Residue

Maybe you don’t have to work as hard to clean the filter if you get rid of the food residue after every use of the dishwasher. Before putting your dishes in the dishwasher to be cleaned, try as much as possible to trash food residue from them because there’s a place these residues are going, and that’s the filter. Some food are sticky, so you may have to go the extra mile to get rid of them, but as soon as you do, you’ll realize you don’t have to do much work cleaning the dishwasher filter. To make it easier, put these dishes under running water, and the force from the water will help wash off the food residue in the dishes.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher Filter?

The dishwasher filter is an important part of every dishwasher, but sadly, some folks don’t know it’s something they have to clean regularly to keep these machines functioning at the highest level. Once you notice there is stuck-on food on your dishes even after they’ve been washed in the dishwasher, you should know it’s probably a problem with the dishwasher filter, and there’s not a lot the dishwasher can do about it. The most careful person will run their dishes under the tap before loading them into the dishwasher. However, this doesn’t mean they still won’t have some bits of greasy residue in these dishes.

Where do these food residues go to? The dishwasher filter. The filter is where the loose particles go, and when not cleaned, these particles can clog the filter, especially larger residues. According to The Spruce, older models of dishwashers had self-cleaning filters that automatically ground the food particles in them. However, this action caused too much noise, making manufacturers reconsider filters requiring manual cleaning.

This brings us to the big question – how often should you clean your dishwasher filter? This depends on how often you use your dishwasher. If you use the machine every day and wash many dishes, you should clean the filter after every use. This may not be convenient, but it is necessary if you want to prolong your dishwasher’s life.

How To Clean Your Dishwasher Filter

Things You’ll Need

• White vinegar
• Degreaser
• Large bowl
• Nylon brush
• Clean dishcloth

Step 1

The first thing you need to do is to locate the dishwasher filter, which is usually on the interior floor of the machine. Thankfully, it is very easy to locate, and taking it out is not hard as well. In this case, you don’t need any tools, so you should not be worried about anything even if you don’t have a tool for this purpose.

Step 2

As soon as you locate the filter, you’ll see some guideline arrows that show you where to push the filter to unlock it. If you’re not sure about how to remove the filter, refer to the manual that comes with the machine or go online to watch a video about the particular model of dishwasher you’re using.

Step 3

Put enough water in the bowl you’ve prepared for this purpose. Add a few drops of degreaser (dishwasher liquid that can also degrease) to the bowl. You can also add some distilled dishwasher vinegar for a good smell and sparkling action.

Step 4

Gently put the filter in the solution you’ve prepared and let it soak for about 10 minutes so the food particles element in it can loosen up. Get a soft dishcloth to scrub the debris in the filter away.

Step 5

Pour the soapy water in the big bowl away and fill it with warm water. Rinse the filter properly in the bowl and ensure there’s no residue left in it before you put it away to dry.

Step 6

While you wait for the filter to dry, use a dishcloth dipped in soapy water and use it to clean the filter housing because it’ll also definitely have some food particles.

Step 7

Lastly, put the filter back in its place and lock it in.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How often should the dishwasher filter be cleaned?

If you use your dishwasher regularly, you should clean your dishwasher filter every other week. The filter collects debris and must be cleaned regularly; otherwise, it’ll clog.

• Should I clean the dishwasher filter?

Yes, you should clean your dishwasher filter. It is one of the most important components in your dishwasher that collects food residues. If you don’t clean it regularly, it’s only a matter of time before you start seeing grease buildup in your dishes, even after you’ve just washed them in your dishwasher.

Final Thoughts

Your dishwasher’s filter is important and must be cleaned if you want to prolong the machine’s life. If you clean it regularly and keep it in proper working order, your dishwasher will continue to function properly and efficiently. This saves you time, money, and the hassle of having to hand-wash your dishes. The lifespan of your dishwasher also increases when you clean and maintain your filter, so don’t ignore it! Most people don’t take the time to clean their dishwasher’s filter, but it is an important part of your dishwasher’s inner workings and should be maintained.

Also, when your dishwasher is broken, you should call a professional to fix it. This will prevent it from worsening and help you avoid much of the frustration of having a broken dishwasher.