Is your KitchenAid dishwasher not cleaning as well as it used to? Do you find bits of food stuck to plates, or notice a strange smell when you open the door? If so, it’s time to know how to clean KitchenAid dishwasher filter — a quick task that most people overlook but makes a huge difference.

The filter inside your dishwasher operates quietly during every wash, trapping food debris, grease, and grime so that it doesn’t redeposit onto your clean dishes. However, over time, it becomes clogged, and when this happens, your dishwasher struggles to function correctly.

The good news? Cleaning the KitchenAid dishwasher filter is a simple process that requires no special tools and takes less than 10 minutes. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps how to clean KitchenAid dishwasher filter, explain why it matters, and give you tips to keep your dishwasher running like new. Let’s get into it.

What Is a KitchenAid Dishwasher Filter and Why Does It Matter?

Every modern KitchenAid dishwasher has a removable filter system located at the bottom of the tub, just under the lower spray arm. It usually consists of two parts:

• A coarse filter that traps large debris (like pasta or vegetable skins)
• A fine filter that catches smaller particles and grease

These filters do more than block food — they:

• Keep the wash water clean
• Protect the dishwasher pump from damage
• Prevent food bits from redepositing on dishes
• Help your dishwasher last longer

When your filter gets clogged, water can’t circulate properly, and your dishwasher starts to struggle. That’s when you begin to see greasy residue, cloudy glasses, and foul smells.

Signs You Need to Clean the KitchenAid Dishwasher Filter

• Dishes come out dirty or gritty
• There’s a bad smell inside the dishwasher
• Water pools at the bottom
• The dishwasher is louder than usual

What You’ll Need

Before we start, grab these simple household items:

• A gentle cleaning brush or a used toothbrush.  
• Dish soap (any brand is okay),
• Hot water and a gentle towel or sponge.  
• A towel to dry off.

No special tools, no fancy cleaners — just basic items you already have at home.

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How to Clean KitchenAid Dishwasher Filter (Step-by-Step Instructions)

Step 1: Turn Off and Cool Down the Dishwasher

Make sure the dishwasher is completely turned off and hasn’t run recently. You don’t need to unplug it — confirm it’s not in use and the bottom isn’t hot.

Step 2: Remove the Bottom Rack

Pull out the bottom dish rack and set it aside. This provides you with complete access to the filter located at the bottom of the tub.

Step 3: Locate and Remove the Filter

Look at the bottom center of the dishwasher floor. You’ll find a round, mesh-like filter.

• Twist it counterclockwise (to the left) to unlock it
• Pull it up gently — it should come out easily
• If there’s a flat mesh screen around it, lift that out too

Pro Tip: If it feels stuck, twist gently back and forth — don’t force it.

Step 4: Rinse and Clean the Filter

Take the filter(s) to your sink.

• Rinse under warm water
• Use your brush or toothbrush with a bit of dish soap
• Gently scrub away food bits, grease, and grime
• Avoid using steel wool or harsh pads — they can damage the mesh

This step usually takes just a few minutes, but it makes a massive difference.

Step 5: Clean Inside the Filter Area

Gently clean the area where the filter is located using a wet cloth or sponge. Remove any leftover food or mess that might be stuck there. This simple step helps keep bad smells away and stops clogs from happening later.

Step 6: Reinstall the Filter

Now that everything’s nice and clean, it’s time to put the filter back in place:

• If your dishwasher has a flat filter, slide that in first
• Then insert the round filter and twist it clockwise until it locks in
• Double-check that it’s snug and doesn’t move around — it should feel secure

And that’s it — you’re all set!

Step 7 (Optional): Freshen with Vinegar

Want your dishwasher to smell fresh and look sparkling clean?

• Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into a bowl and put it on the top shelf.
• Run a complete cycle on hot with no dishes inside.

This simple trick helps break down leftover grease and eliminates any lingering odors, leaving your dishwasher fresh and ready to use.

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How Often Should You Clean the KitchenAid Dishwasher Filter?

Clean your KitchenAid dishwasher filter every 1 to 2 months. How often you need to do this depends on how often you use your dishwasher and how you place your dishes in it.  

Here’s a more straightforward explanation: .

• Every 1–2 months for average households that run a few loads per week.
• Every 2–3 weeks, if you rarely pre-rinse dishes or cook frequently with greasy food.
• Once a month, at a minimum, if you notice cloudy dishes, bad smells, or water at the bottom.
• Immediately, if your dishwasher isn’t draining properly or smells unpleasant.

Even if your dishwasher seems to be working fine, a clean filter helps keep it that way — it enables the pump, spray arms, and drainage system to function efficiently.

Pro Tip: Set a reminder on your mobile device or calendar to avoid forgetting. This tiny habit can prevent big, expensive problems down the road.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t use harsh tools that can tear the mesh
• Don’t forget to clean under the filter, too — food gets trapped there
• Don’t ignore smells — it’s usually the filter
• Don’t run the dishwasher without checking if the filter is locked back in place

Why Cleaning Your KitchenAid Filter Matters

You might believe your dishwasher can run on its own, but like any busy machine, it needs some help now and then. One of the most important things you can do is to clean the filter often. It may seem like a minor detail, but that filter is crucial to the performance of your KitchenAid dishwasher. Here’s why it’s essential to keep the KitchenAid dishwasher filter clean:

1. Cleaner Dishes Every Time

When the filter is clogged, dirty water continues to circulate, preventing your dishes from getting clean. A clean filter ensures the water stays fresh throughout the cycle, so your plates, glasses, and utensils come out spotless.

2. No More Funky Smells

Have you ever opened your dishwasher and gotten hit with a nasty odor? That’s usually food particles rotting in a dirty filter. Regular cleaning removes trapped debris before it causes lingering smells.

3. Prevents Drain and Pump Problems

Your filter helps protect the dishwasher’s drain and pump from being blocked by food bits and grease. A blocked pump is one of the most common reasons dishwashers stop working — and it’s an expensive repair to fix. Cleaning the filter is a simple way to avoid that.

4. Keeps Your Dishwasher Running Efficiently

A clean filter helps your dishwasher run more easily. This makes it work more efficiently, uses less energy, and completes tasks more quickly.

5. Extends the Life of the Appliance

KitchenAid dishwashers are built to last, but only if they are correctly maintained. Cleaning the filter reduces wear and tear on the motor and internal components, extending the life of your machine and keeping it healthier.

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The Bottom Line

Learning how to clean KitchenAid dishwasher filter is one of the simplest things you can do to improve your dishwasher’s performance. It takes less than 10 minutes, requires no fancy tools, and prevents many common problems, such as dirty dishes, foul odors, drainage issues, and costly repairs.

Just like changing your car’s oil or cleaning out your vacuum, this small bit of care keeps your appliance running smoothly. Whether you’re cooking every day or just using the dishwasher a few times a week, keeping that filter clean helps everything work like new.

Frequently Asked Questions