How to Clean a Whirlpool Dishwasher Filter

The filter in your Whirlpool dishwasher can get clogged or built up with food grime every now and then, and when it does, you have to clean it. Easy signs that your filter is clogged up is if you've noticed dishes coming out dirty, standing water, slow draining times, or abnormal smells coming from your dishwasher. Cleaning a dishwasher filter is easy and doable in only a few minutes, and this guide is going to explain what your filter does, how to clean it, and how to keep it cleaner for longer!

What Does a Dishwasher Filter Do?

Whenever you run a washing cycle on your dishwasher, all of the water that eventually makes its way into the drain pump and hose has to pass through a filter. Every dishwasher has a filter, some even have two, but their location and type will depend on your specific model. A lot of filters in newer models are designed to be removed for easier cleaning, and quickly checking your appliance should make the filter easy to find. The filter is an essential part of your dishwasher and single-handedly stops any food particles, food debris, or other objects from entering and damaging the pump.

This is why cleaning and maintaining the filter in your dishwasher is so important, it can save you from costly repairs and even extend the life of your dishwasher. If the filter in your dishwasher is working effectively it is preventing clogs, leaks, and damage to the drain hose and drain pump. The filter works to protect more vital and expensive parts in your dishwasher, and it means you don't need to worry about pre-rinsing and cleaning your dishes before you load them into the dishwasher. This is why we highly recommend you make cleaning and inspecting the filter in your Whirlpool dishwasher a priority; it is a simple task, and taking care of this part pays off.

What Materials You'll Need to Clean Your Dishwasher's Filter

No matter what, cleaning the filters inside your dishwasher will require a few items to complete the job. Some of these are these are tools, while others are more supplies-oriented.

How to Clean Your Whirlpool Dishwasher’s Filter

Cleaning your Whirlpool dishwasher's filter is relatively simple, depending on which model of dishwasher you own. Some have easily removable filters that require no tools, while some need a screwdriver to access, and others simply don't remove at all. Knowing which model you own is important to this process, so it's important that you check your dishwasher's user manual.

Cleaning a Removable Whirlpool Dishwasher Filter With No Tools

For this process, you do not need any tools at all (except your hands, of course!). Note: If you need a brush to clean any part of the filter, only use a small, soft bristle brush. Do not use a wire brush or scouring pad (also known as a hard sponge), because they may damage the filter.

1. Open the dishwasher door and remove the lower dish rack.
2. Locate the filters at the bottom of the dishwasher. Some models may only have one, but many have two; an upper filter and a lower one.
3. Rotate the upper filter assembly a quarter-turn counterclockwise, and lift it out to remove it.
4. With the upper filter out, pull on the lower filter where the upper filter was, then lift it up and pull it out.
5. Run both filters under warm water until all food particles are gone. Any harder to remove particles or calcium deposits may require the use of a small bristle brush to clean off.
6. Once both filters are cleaned, put the lower filter in first by placing each side under their respective locating tabs, and ensure the circular hole in the filter is lined up with the round opening underneath.
7. Insert the upper filter in the opening of the lower filter, and slowly rotate it clockwise until it drops.
8. Once it drops, rotate it clockwise again until it locks in place. If you notice an arrow on the filter, it does not need to be lined up with anything, Just make sure the filter is locked in place and cannot freely rotate.

Cleaning a Removable Whirlpool Dishwasher Filter With Tools

For this process, you will need a screwdriver at the very least, although other tools like a socket wrench may be required if your model requires them.

1. Open the dishwasher door and remove the lower dish rack.
2. Slide the top dish rack out, and remove the retaining clips on each side by lifting them up and then towards you.
3. Remove the top rack.
4. Using a Phillips-head screwdriver, unthread and remove the screws at the back and top of the dishwasher.
5. Unscrew the lower spray arm by hand.
6. Use a T15 (or whichever is applicable) screwdriver bit to unthread and remove the 3 visible screws securing the filter assembly.
7. Rotate the spray arm that extends to the top of your dishwasher approximately 45 degrees to the right (or clockwise) and lift it up to remove. Note: Inside the spray arm is a small plastic ring that will be important during reassembly.
8. With the spray arm out, unthread and remove the 4th screw, and lift the filter assembly out.
9. Pop the filter out of its assembly for cleaning.
10. Reassemble the filter assembly, and secure the first screw (last removed).
11. Place the spray arm back in, and rotate it 45 degrees left (counterclockwise).
12. Thread the 3 screws back in, then connect and secure the lower spray arm by hand.
13. Screw in the final 2 screws securing the upper spray arm, then reinsert the top and lower dish racks.

How to Clean a Whirlpool Dishwasher without a Removable Filter

Whirlpool dishwashers that don't feature a removable filter only have two options for cleaning; use a store bought or homemade cleaning solution, or contact a repair person to disassemble your dishwasher. Ultimately the former option is the cheaper and easier method to try first, which is why we have a quick guide to explain how to get your Whirlpool dishwasher filter clean with household items.

1. Fill a medium-large sized bowl 2/3 full with vinegar, and place on the top dish rack inside your empty dishwasher.
2. Close the dishwasher door and run a normal cycle, with the hot setting if possible.
3. Once your dishwasher is done, open the door and remove any loose food particles.
4. Remove the bowl and spread a light amount of baking soda on the filter and bottom of the dishwasher.
5. Close the dishwasher door again, and run another normal cycle with the hot setting.
6. Repeat this process every few weeks to allow the grime and mildew on the filter to loosen and drain properly, for a squeaky-clean and great smelling Whirlpool dishwasher!

How to Keep Your Whirlpool Dishwasher Filter Clean

Ultimately keeping your Whirlpool dishwasher and its filter as clean as possible is easy and simple if you're able to routinely clean it. The frequency will depend on how often you run the dishwasher and how much you pre-rinse dishes before loading them into the appliance. For most, tackling this task every few months should be more than enough to keep things running well. To top off this guide, we have a few small things you can do every so often to keep your dishwasher filter in great shape for longer!

Regular Cleaning

Simply removing trapped or loose food in your dishwasher every so often goes a long way to keeping it out of the filter. And doing a quick vinegar hot wash cycle keeps the dishwasher interior nice and clean as well!

Clean Small Crevices

Make sure to check your dishwasher's spray arms for clogs and food particles, because those will eventually end up in your filter. You can use a toothpick or small brush to clean out those tiny holes in the spray arms, or wherever else your dishwasher has hard to reach areas.

Use a Dishwasher Filter Cleaning Solution

If manual cleaning really isn't your thing, you can purchase cleaning tablets and solutions from your local grocery store to break down tough residue and grime within your dishwasher and its filter. These tablets usually come in multi-packs, so you have a few for future uses too.

Replace Your Whirlpool Dishwasher Filter

If you've disassembled your Whirlpool dishwasher's filter and it's damaged or beyond cleaning, it's time to replace it. Ensuring food particles and any other foreign objects cannot enter your drain system is important to your dishwasher's overall health and avoiding having to replace an expensive part like the pump. So if your Whirlpool dishwasher's filter is in bad shape, it's best to replace it now, rather than risking damaging your dishwasher even further.

With your Whirlpool dishwasher's filter completely cleaned or replaced at this point, you can sit back and relax knowing that your dishes are getting clean, and that you have the tools and the know-how to clean it in the future! And if you're interested in our other guides, for the appliances you own and are having trouble with, or if you're just browsing for cool DIY things to fill up your free time with, look no further than our other PartSelect blog articles!