Is the filter your problem?
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sour or rotten smell when you open the door | Food trapped in the filter | Clean the filter, then run an empty hot cycle |
| Gritty film or bits of food on “clean” dishes | Clogged filter recirculating dirty water | Clean the filter |
| Water left in the bottom after a cycle | Filter or drain blocked | Clean the filter and the opening under it; check the drain hose for kinks |
| White cloudy film on glasses | Hard water, not the filter | Use rinse aid; run an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack |
| Dishes still dirty after a clean filter | Spray arm holes blocked | Pull the spray arms, poke out the holes with a toothpick, rinse |
Step-by-step
1. Find it
Pull the bottom rack all the way out. Look at the floor of the tub, usually at the back center: you will see a round cylinder (often with a handle or arrows) sitting in a flat mesh plate.
2. Twist and lift
Turn the cylinder a quarter turn counterclockwise and lift it out. On many models the flat mesh lifts out next. Check your manual if yours is different: a few brands use a single flat filter or a removable cover held by a screw.
3. Wash
Rinse both parts under hot tap water. Then scrub gently with a soft brush and a drop of dish soap until the mesh looks see-through again. Do not use wire brushes or scouring pads: a torn mesh lets food reach the pump.
4. Wipe the hole
With a paper towel, wipe out anything sitting in the opening. Look for broken glass, olive pits, bones and labels.
5. Put it back
Set the flat mesh in place, drop in the cylinder and twist it clockwise until it locks. A filter that is not locked can let debris into the pump.
The monthly routine (10 minutes total)
- Clean the filter (2 minutes).
- Wipe the door gasket and the bottom edge of the door, where drips collect.
- Run an empty hot cycle with either a dishwasher cleaner or a cup of white vinegar upright on the top rack. Not both, and never with bleach.
Habits that keep it clean
- Scrape, do not rinse. Scrape plates into the trash; modern detergents need some food to work on, and pre-rinsing wastes water.
- Run the disposal first if your dishwasher drains through it.
- Load properly so water reaches everything; ENERGY STAR recommends running full loads.
More “hidden parts” that make a kitchen smell: the microwave, the range hood filter and the kitchen sponge.
Sources
Always follow the label on your product. Labels are the legal use instructions in the US.
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