Having a dishwasher in good condition is very important for the maintenance of dishes. Dishwashers are appliances that are always exposed to the elements of hard water, food particles, etc. This causes the filter of your dishwasher to get dirty.
Many people do not have the idea of how to clean old whirlpool dishwasher filter. When the filter and other parts of your dishwasher (not parts washer) are dirty, your dishes may not be as clean. Cleaning your old filter is very important to keep it in good working order.
The dishwasher filter is responsible for:
- Clean and rinse the dishwasher.
- Protect the pump from clogging by food debris or large foreign objects.
- Prevents food scraps from sticking back to your plates.
When should you clean your dishwasher filter?
If you notice that your dishwasher has the following problems, you should clean it:
- You notice dirt or food particles or food
- Performance is already deteriorating, and you notice food particles on the dishes
- Dishes are gritty or dirty to the touch after a cycle
To avoid these problems, it is best to clean the filter more regularly. You should check if your filter can be removed before removing the debris. If the filter is clogged, you will have a good water drain, and your dishes will not be clean.
If the pump filter or drain basket is clogged with glass or broken dishes, it can prevent the water from running properly. That is why you should be very careful when cleaning the filter because it can be cut.
The Whirlpool dishwasher filtration system is innovative and works properly for the best performance. Dishwasher filter always requires good maintenance for efficient performance.
Steps to clean your dishwasher filter
How to clean the old Whirlpool dishwasher filter? Follow the steps below:
- Remove the filter from your Whirlpool dishwasher.
To gain access to the filter, you must eliminate the inferior dish rack. This will allow you to reach the bottom of your dishwasher. The filter can be seen in the back corner of your dishwasher tub; it can also be found around the bottom of the lower spray arm.
Many filters are made up of 2 parts: a lower filter assembly and an upper filter assembly. If the whirlpool dishwasher not draining, you must turn the upper filter clockwise a quarter turn and then remove it. Softly lift and pull the inferior filter to remove it.
- Clean the filter
You must run a lot of water in the dishwasher filter to eliminate a large amount of dirt stored. You must be very careful you can have pieces of glass. For calcium deposits you can use a soft brush and other debris that are difficult to remove.
You should be careful not to use a hard or wire brush as it may damage the filter. You can use lukewarm water with vinegar. If the filter cannot be removed, you will need to scrape off the dirt by leaning into the dishwasher. If you notice that the filter is damaged, you should immediately replace it with a filter equal to Whirlpool dishwashers’ original design.
Although there are tablets designed to clean and remove dirt from your dishwasher, you can use a homemade solution of warm water and vinegar. You should let the vinegar do its wash cycle, and you should not use the dry heat cycle. You should let it air dry.
You can also use baking soda; when you’ve done the vinegar cycle. Pour a cup of baking soda on the floor of your dishwasher evenly. You should run the dishwasher with hot water and without the dry heat cycle.
You will find that your dishwasher will run better after these baking soda and vinegar cycles. It will become clean and will smell pleasant. You must repeat these steps as necessary.
- Replace the dishwasher filter
If the filter is not removed, skip this step. When you have finished cleaning and scraping dirt from the filter, you should return the filter and insert it correctly. The top filter should line up with the round opening in the bottom of the tub.
Place the upper filter in the upper opening of the lower filter. Then you need to turn the filter in a clockwise direction. You must do this until it locks. If you notice that the filter is still rotating, it is because it is not seated correctly. It would help if you kept turning it until you feel that it is locked.
Remember to make sure that the filter is in place before using your dishwasher. If the filter is loose, your dishwasher may be damaged.
If you notice that your filter is damaged or already very worn, it should be replaced immediately for your dishwasher to function properly. Check the manual or instructions so you know the part you need and how to install it.
How often should your dishwasher filter be cleaned?
How to clean the old Whirlpool dishwasher filter? Cleaning the filter regularly is very important for it to function optimally. The frequency will depend on how dirty the dishes are in the dishwasher.
If you wash or rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, you can clean your filter once or twice a year.
If you wash before loading: up to 14 loads per week, you can clean your dishwasher once a year. If you scrape before loading: 1 to 7 loads per week clean two times a year. 8 to 14 loads per week: You should clean the filter every three months.
Final Words
As you can see, it all depends on how dirty the dishes are and the loads you use per week. There is no specific time to clean the filter. Whirlpool dishwasher not draining is very important that you have a clean filter. Otherwise, your dishes will be rough and dirty.
You can also read the manual with the owner’s recommendations. With these steps, you can have your old filter in perfect condition so that your dishwasher can function as new. Remember to clean the filter with soft brushes such as a toothbrush to avoid damaging it.
