Why Cleaning Your Dishwasher Filter Is Essential
One of the most overlooked but crucial chores in British kitchens is cleaning the dishwasher filter. This little hero sits at the bottom of your machine, quietly protecting the pump from bits of spud peelings and last night’s bolognese. A clean filter means sparkling glasses, fewer smells, and a machine less likely to throw a tantrum just when the in-laws are due.
Quick Info: Most modern dishwashers have either a manual or self-cleaning filter. If yours is manual, it’s your job to keep it gunk-free!
Warning: Run your dishwasher without the filter in place at your own peril – you risk food scraps clogging the pump. Nobody wants an emergency plumber at midnight!
How Often Should You Clean the Dishwasher Filter?
Recommended Frequency: For most British households, cleaning the filter once a month is spot on. If you use your dishwasher daily, have extra mucky plates, or live in a hard water area, a fortnightly clean is wise. Power users (that’s you, rapid-fire dish loaders) might need to check it every couple of weeks.
- Light usage (1–3 loads/week): every couple of months
- Typical usage (4–7 loads/week): monthly
- Heavy usage or no scraping: every 1–2 weeks
Signs Your Dishwasher Filter Needs Cleaning
- Your glasses come out cloudy or streaky
- Dishes have bits of food stuck to them
- Strange smells linger after a cycle
- Water continues to pool at the base
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your Dishwasher Filter
- Switch off and cool down. If you’ve just run a cycle, let things settle before you dive in.
- Remove the bottom rack. The filter is usually at the base, under the spray arm.
- Unlock and lift out the filter. Most rotate to unlock, but check your manual if in doubt.
- Rinse under warm tap water. Use a soft brush (an old toothbrush is perfect) and mild washing-up liquid if needed. Avoid wire brushes or anything that might damage the mesh.
- Check the filter housing. Mop up any stray bits while you’re down there.
- Pop the filter back in. Make sure it’s locked securely. Twiddling it a few extra times doesn’t hurt!
Top Tips for Hassle-Free Filter Cleaning
- Always scrape off large bits of food before loading, especially Yorkshire pudding – it’s a filter’s nemesis.
- Regular deep cleans (empty machine, hot cycle, dishwasher cleaner) keep the whole system working well.
- Don’t forget the spray arms – check they’re spinning freely and have no bits wedged in the holes.
What Happens If You Ignore Dishwasher Filter Cleaning?
Leaving your filter to gather grime can lead to less effective cleaning, greasy plates, a persistent pong, or worse – a machine breakdown just when you need it most. Regular cleaning avoids these mishaps and means your dishwasher can actually live up to its promise: doing the dirty work for you!
The Bottom Line: A month (or fortnightly) filter spruce-up is the simplest, most cost-effective way to keep your dishwasher and dishes gleaming. Add a reminder to your calendar, enjoy the improved performance, and treat yourself to fewer post-dinner dramas. Your dishwasher, and your nose, will thank you.