How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter and Spray Arms — Step-by-Step Instructions
None. This is the single highest-value 20 minutes you can spend on any kitchen appliance.
Tools
- Old toothbrush
- Toothpick or wooden skewer
- Sink with hot water
Parts
- None — monthly maintenance
Step by step
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1 Pull the bottom rack and find the filter
The cylindrical mesh filter sits in the tub floor, usually with a quarter-turn arrow marking. Twist counterclockwise and lift out — many have a flat coarse filter beneath that lifts out too.
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2 Rinse and scrub
Hot water and a toothbrush on the mesh until water runs through freely. The grime you’re removing is what’s been re-spraying onto your glasses.
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3 Check the sump while it’s open
Feel the exposed sump area for glass shards, fruit stickers, and pit fragments — remove anything that isn’t machine.
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4 Pop off the spray arms
The lower arm usually lifts or unscrews; the upper arm unclips from the rack. Poke every jet clear with a toothpick and rinse the arms through.
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5 Reassemble and run a cleaner cycle
Filter locked back in (it must click — a loose filter lets debris reach the pump), arms clicked on, then run the hottest cycle empty with dishwasher cleaner or citric acid. Repeat monthly — non-negotiable in Arizona hard water.
If cleaning doesn’t restore wash quality, water temperature or the circulation pump is next in line — a quick professional diagnosis beats replacing parts on a hunch. If you'd rather skip it entirely, find a dishwasher repair pro near you →
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