Ah, the dishwasher, a gift sent from heaven, amirite? Dishwashers have been saving us time and effort for many years but did you know your dishwasher has a filter and yes, you need to clean it! If this is a new discovery for you, don’t feel alone we didn’t know either, and tons of TikTok users didn’t know either! With many people spending more time at home than ever, people are spending more of their time in the kitchen. This has struck many viral food trends but has also inspired people to go on a cleaning frenzy! Now there are tons of videos popping up on TikTok that show people discovering their dirty dishwasher filters covered in thick gunk. And let us prewarn you, it’s disgusting.
@inspectormurphAre you cleaning your dishwashers filter regularly? ##inspectormurph ##homeowner ##homeinspector ##realtor ##covid_19♬ original sound – inspectormurph
Okay so now that you’ve seen the disgusting filters, you probably will want to check yours, STAT. The internet recommends that you should actually clean your filter every six months at the bare minimum. How often you clean it should also be a reflection on how often you use it! If you know you use that wonderful appliance every day, or even multiple times a day, odds are you should be cleaning that filter more than once every six months. Some brands even recommend that you clean it once a week. Now’s the time to go check your owner’s manual that’s been collecting dust all this time, and find out exactly how often you should be cleaning it!
Now if you’re wondering what all that gunk actually is, it’s basically a buildup of food particles. If your filter has too much gunk on it your dishwasher will start to smell, it can reduce water flow, and can cause overflows. If you ever notice bits of food stuck to your dishware after the wash cycle that is a true sign that your filter seriously needs to be cleaned.
Okay now that we’ve discovered the filter, and no why it gets dirty, here’s how you can clean it! First, you’ll need to locate it. Often the filter is located on the bottom of the dishwasher but the location will vary depending on the brand so check your owner’s manual. Once it is located, give the nob a quarter turn clockwise to remove it. If your dishwasher has a lower filter you’ll want to remove that as well. To do that simply lift slightly then pull forward until it comes out.
To clean the filters start by rinsing with warm water. If you have stuck-on food particles it may be best to let the filter soak in warm water for a few minutes. Then using a soft brush, or a sponge gently scrub the debris until it falls off off. Make sure you don’t use a wire brush or a scouring pad because they may damage your filter!
Once it’s clean return the lower filter by placing it properly under the tabs so that your top filter will lineup with the opening. Next, place the upper filter back in and turn clockwise until you feel it lock into place. If the filter turns freely it has not been placed properly. You need to make sure the filter is locked into place before running the dishwasher. Failing to do so could damage your dishwasher! Remember, you can check your owner’s manual for more thorough instructions that are tailored to your model. Now that you’re aware of this amazing discovery you may want to set a reminder in your phone to clean your dishwasher more regularly!
Source: Shutterstock
