The dishwasher filter traps food scraps and small particles before they reach the pump. When it becomes clogged with grease or debris, water doesn't circulate as well: dishes can come out dirty, odors can develop, and draining can become less effective.
For a beginner, the right approach is to follow a simple order: identify the filter, remove it without forcing it, clean each part with water and a soft brush, then put it back exactly in place. Not all manufacturers use the same locking system or the same maintenance frequency. The owner's manual for your model is therefore the final reference.
Bosch describes a filter located at the bottom of the tub, under the lower spray arm, and recommends removing the assembly, cleaning it with hot water and a brush, then reassembling it correctly. Siemens gives a very similar procedure and advises against abrasive materials. You can consult the official guides Bosch – cleaning the dishwasher filter and Siemens – dishwasher maintenance.
In many dishwashers, the filter system is an assembly of several parts: a cylindrical or coarse filter, a fine filter, and sometimes a flat screen. Their shared purpose is to keep residue from circulating toward the pump.
Don't confuse the tub filter with the water inlet filter. The first is generally located inside, at the bottom of the dishwasher. The second, found on some appliances or AquaStop connections, is located on the water supply and follows a different procedure.
An old toothbrush or a small soft brush is often enough. Bosch recommends hot water, soap, and a brush; Siemens states that rinsing with tap water and a small brush is suitable and specifies not to use abrasive materials.
So avoid the abrasive side of a sponge, metal scouring pads, and sharp objects. If there's a risk of glass shards or other sharp debris, wear protective gloves.
Wait until the dishwasher has finished its cycle and the interior is no longer scalding. Open the door and gently pull out the lower rack. On most models described by Bosch and Siemens, the filter is then clearly visible near the center, under or near the lower spray arm.
If your appliance's layout is different, don't take anything apart at random: check the manual using the exact model number.
On many dishwashers, the cylindrical filter unlocks by rotating. The exact direction and angle can vary. Bosch says to unscrew the filter and remove it; Siemens says to unlock the assembly and then carefully take out the filter system.
If the filter resists strongly, stop. Forcing it can break a tab, a ring, or the locking mechanism. Unusual resistance is a good reason to consult the manual before continuing.
Filters are often made up of a cylinder and a fine or flat section. Bosch recommends disassembling the assembly using the intended notches, while Siemens refers to separating the filters by gently unscrewing the cylindrical filter.
Remove large debris by hand and throw it in the trash. If you find a piece of glass, a metal shard, or a broken bone, don't run your fingers directly over the mesh.
A soft brush lets you reach the mesh without deforming it. Focus on greasy areas and small deposits stuck in the corners, but without scrubbing aggressively.
If you use a small amount of mild dish soap because the manual allows it, rinse very thoroughly afterward. No foam or soapy film should remain before reassembly.
Rinsing should remove food, loosened grease, and any soap used during cleaning. Check both sides of the filter. Mesh that's still clogged is a sign that cleaning isn't finished.
Don't try to "sterilize" the filter with bleach, a stripping agent, or a very harsh product, unless the manufacturer explicitly instructs it. The goal is to make the water passages clean and clear without damaging the plastic or the mesh.
Before reassembling the system, look at the filter housing. You can remove easily accessible debris with a cloth or suitable tweezers, but don't take apart the pump if your manual doesn't call for it.
If water remains in the tub, if draining doesn't happen, or if an object seems stuck further down, the problem may go beyond the filter itself. Bosch and Siemens indicate that a clogged pump or drain hose can also cause poor draining. See for example Bosch – dishwasher not draining water.
Reassembly is just as important as cleaning. A poorly installed filter can let debris through or disrupt water circulation.
On the Bosch and Siemens systems concerned, the arrows or markings must line up when the filter is correctly locked. Don't use a tool to tighten: locking should be done by hand, without forcing.
After reassembly, put the rack back. You don't necessarily need to run a special cycle right away just to check the filter. The next normal wash will already give you several clues: better draining, less residue on the dishes, and fewer odors.
A clean filter should let water circulate freely. The expected result isn't simply a "visually shiny" filter, but an appliance that works normally. Useful signs include:
If dishes remain dirty despite a clean filter, also check the spray arms, loading, detergent dosage, and the program used. Bosch notes that poor loading can prevent water from reaching certain dishes.
Recommendations vary by brand and usage. Bosch France recommends checking very frequently and states a minimum of weekly cleaning on its support page, while Siemens advises regularly checking for residue and mentions a thorough cleaning every two months or when washing results are no longer satisfactory.
So there's no single frequency that works for every household. If you often wash very dirty dishes, if you rarely remove large food scraps before loading, or if you notice odors, check the filter more often. If your appliance displays a reminder, follow that reminder; Miele, for example, states that some models display a filter check after a set number of cycles, with an interval adjustable by model. See Miele – filter check.
| Mistake | Why It's a Problem | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Forcing the filter to remove it | The tabs or ring can break | Check the unlocking direction in the manual |
| Using an abrasive pad | The mesh or plastic can be damaged | Use a small soft brush |
| Reassembling the filter without locking it | Debris can pass through to the pump | Align the markings intended by the manufacturer |
| Ignoring pieces of glass | Risk of cuts | Wear gloves and remove sharp objects carefully |
| Believing a clean filter solves every breakdown | The pump or drain hose can also be clogged | Continue diagnosing according to the manual |
If the filter is clean and correctly installed but water still pools, the dishwasher displays an error code, makes an unusual noise, or continues to wash poorly, don't simply repeat the filter cleaning. Check the spray arms, the pump, and the drain hose according to the manufacturer's official instructions.
A broken, deformed, or impossible-to-lock filter should also be replaced with a part suited to the model. Running the appliance with an incomplete filter system can let debris reach the pump.
For hassle-free maintenance: remove large food scraps before loading dishes, check the filter regularly, rinse it as soon as it becomes clogged with grease or debris, use only a soft brush, then put it back in its correct locked position. This routine takes little time and, above all, helps you quickly identify when the problem really comes from the filter — and when you need to look elsewhere.
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