How to Clean a Smelly Dishwasher Filter (Step-by-Step DIY Guide)⁠

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If you open your dishwasher expecting to smell clean, sparkling dishes, but instead get hit with a foul, swamp-like odor, you are not alone. A smelly dishwasher is a very common household nightmare. The good news is that you don’t need to call an expensive appliance repair technician or buy a brand-new machine to fix it.

90% of the time, that terrible smell comes from a clogged, dirty dishwasher filter trapped at the bottom of the tub. Over months of use, old food particles, grease, and soap scum build up inside the filter, creating a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

Let’s break down the step-by-step DIY process to locate, remove, and clean your dishwasher filter to get rid of that foul odor for good.

Step 1: Locate and Remove the Filter

First, make sure your dishwasher is completely empty. Pull out the bottom dish rack so you have full access to the floor of the machine.

  • Where to Look: Look at the very bottom of the dishwasher tub, usually underneath the rotating spray arm. You will see a round plastic cylinder.
  • How to Remove It: Most modern dishwashers (like Whirlpool, Bosch, or GE) have a simple twist-and-lock system. Turn the cylindrical filter a quarter-turn counterclockwise, and gently pull it straight up.

Step 2: Wash Away the Sludge and Grease

Take the filter assembly over to your kitchen sink. You will likely see a slimy layer of old food debris and white calcium deposits clogging the fine mesh mesh screen.

  • The Cleaning Method: Do not use wire brushes or harsh chemical cleaners, as they can tear the delicate mesh. Instead, use warm running water, a few drops of liquid dish soap, and an old toothbrush to gently scrub away the grease.
  • Rinse the filter thoroughly until the water runs completely clear through the mesh screen.

Step 3: Sanitize the Whole Machine with Vinegar

Now that the manual filter is clean and locked back into place (just turn it clockwise until it clicks), it’s time to deep-clean the internal plumbing lines and hidden spray arms where odors hide.

  1. Place a dishwasher-safe bowl filled with two cups of plain white distilled vinegar on the top rack of the empty dishwasher.
  2. Do not add any dishwasher detergent.
  3. Close the door and run a normal, hot water washing cycle. The vinegar will break down remaining grease buildup and eliminate stubborn odors instantly.

How Often Should You Clean Your Filter?

To prevent bad odors, cloudy glassware, and draining issues from coming back, you should aim to clean your filter **at least once a month**. If you don’t scrape your plates thoroughly before loading them, you might need to rinse it out every two weeks.

Summary

A smelly dishwasher doesn't mean your appliance is broken. By cleaning the bottom filter mesh and running a hot vinegar cycle once a month, you can keep your kitchen smelling fresh and your dishes perfectly sanitized for pennies!

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