Sears Home Services
Sears Home Advantage
appointment lookup logoAppointment Lookup
telephone logo213-596-2538
RepairHome WarrantyClean & MaintainShop Parts
Resource
RepairHome WarrantyClean & MaintainShop PartsResource CenterGlossary
sears home advantageSears Home Advantageappointment lookup logoAppointment Lookup

Table of Contents

How to Remove and Clean the Dishwasher Filter

The Significance of Cleaning Your Kenmore Dishwasher Filter

Yearly Professional Maintenance

  1. Resource Center
  2. Maintain

How to Clean a Kenmore Dishwasher Filter

4 min readUpdated Sep. 10, 2024Lyle WeischwillDishwasher
How to Clean a Kenmore Dishwasher Filter

Cleaning out your Kenmore dishwasher filter is something you should be doing once a month. Spotless dishes and clean wash water are easy to accomplish if you just know how to keep your dishwasher clean and running as it should — and that means rinsing out the little component that filters food particles from wash water during the cycle. It’s easy to do. The hard part is to remember to do it each month.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Cleaning the filters in your Kenmore dishwasher will ensure that it runs smoothly and cleans well.
  • Most Kenmore dishwashers have 2 or 3 filters at the bottom of the dishwasher tub that need monthly cleaning.
  • Follow the steps shown below to remove, clean and replace the filters in your Kenmore dishwasher.

How to Remove and Clean the Dishwasher Filter

Most Kenmore dishwashers have at least one removable filter that needs regular cleaning – some models have several filters to clean. You’ll readily see the filter(s) in most models under the bottom rack and lower spray arm. If you don’t see the filter(s), check your Kenmore owner’s manual for the location.

Supplies Needed

To clean the filter(s), you’ll need paper towels and a small brush such as an old toothbrush. If you’re cleaning a large mesh filter screen, you may also need a larger scrub brush to clear debris and deposits from that screen.

Because broken glass can sometimes get trapped in a filter, we recommend that you wear protective gloves when removing glass or other sharp items from dishwasher filters.

Removing and Cleaning the Filters in the Newest 2024 Kenmore Dishwashers

The newest Kenmore dishwashers have 3 filters that you’ll need to remove and clean monthly.

Pull out the bottom dishwasher rack and follow the steps in this illustration from the owner’s manual to remove the 3 dishwasher filters:

Removing the filters from a 2024 Kenmore dishwasher

Follow these steps to clean the filters:

  1. Carefully remove foreign objects like broken glass or paper labels from the coarse filter. You may be able to just dump the items out of the coarse filter.
  2. Clean all the filters using paper towels and brushes. Remove all debris and deposits from the filters.
  3. Rinse the filters under running water in your kitchen sink.

Reinstall the filters in the dishwasher and slide the bottom dishrack back into place.

To keep your Kenmore dishwasher clean and fresh, run an empty cycle with an Affresh dishwasher cleaning tablet added to the bottom of the tub.

Cleaning Ultra Wash Filters on Kenmore HE Dishwashers

Kenmore HE dishwashers use less water to clean dishes so it’s extremely important to clean the 2 filters in these models monthly. The wash water will stay clean and flow properly through the spray arms when the filters are clean.

Follow the steps shown in the illustration below to remove, clean and reinstall the filters on a Kenmore HE dishwasher.

Removing and cleaning Kenmore HE Ultra Wash dishwasherWash

If you have a different type of Kenmore dishwasher than the ones shown above, follow the instructions in the owner’s manual to clean the dishwasher filter(s).

The Significance of Cleaning Your Kenmore Dishwasher Filter

The Kenmore dishwasher filter plays a pivotal role in trapping food particles and other residues from the wash cycle. Regular cleaning of the dishwasher filter ensures your appliance performs properly by:

  • Effectively removing food particles and impurities from the water, resulting in cleaner dishes.
  • Preventing clogs and blockages, thereby maintaining smooth water flow and reducing the risk of drainage issues.
  • Enhancing the overall performance of your dishwasher by preventing undue strain on the appliance.

Cleaning your Kenmore dishwasher filters monthly will also extend the life of your appliance.

Yearly Professional Maintenance

Annual professional maintenance by a Sears Home Services technician will help keep your Kenmore dishwasher in top shape and lasting longer. Our technicians know Kenmore dishwashers inside and out. We can spot small issues during annual maintenance checks and take corrective action to prevent big problems. Yearly maintenance will help prevent unexpected failures throughout the year and your dishwasher will run more efficiently when regularly maintained.

Schedule your annual dishwasher maintenance check now to get and keep your Kenmore dishwasher in prime condition and running smoothly.

Schedule your dishwasher maintenance now!

Regular dishwasher maintenance can help prevent costly breakdowns, reduce energy costs and extend the life of your appliance.

Call (213) 596-2538 or schedule online now.

Was this information helpful?

Schedule your dishwasher maintenance now!

Maintain Dishwasher Resources

How to Clean a Frigidaire Dishwasher Drain

Learn how to clean a Frigidaire dishwasher drain for optimal performance.

9 min readOct. 07Dishwasher
How to Clean a KitchenAid Dishwasher Filter: A Comprehensive Guide

Learn how to clean a KitchenAid dishwasher filter and keep your dishes spotless. Get step-by-step instructions from Sears Home Services.

4 min readOct. 07Dishwasher
A mother and her child, working together in a warm, cozy kitchen, loading dishes into their dishwasher.

Learn how to clean your LG dishwasher filter and keep your appliance running efficiently with our expert tips and maintenance advice.

5 min readSep. 16Dishwasher
A homeowner about to perform easy DIY dishwasher maintenance.

Discover how to clean a dishwasher effectively with simple DIY tips and professional maintenance advice to keep your dishwasher running smoothly and extend its lifespan.

4 min readSep. 06Dishwasher

Glossary Terms

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.

A garbage disposal is a device installed under a kitchen sink that shreds food waste into small enough pieces to pass through plumbing, facilitating an easier and more hygienic kitchen waste management process.

A washing machine pedestal is a platform that raises the washer off the ground, providing easier access to the appliances and often includes additional storage space such as drawers.

A microwave cover is a kitchen accessory designed to fit over dishes being heated or cooked in a microwave oven, preventing splatters inside the microwave and helping to evenly distribute heat.

Common Repair Dishwasher Symptoms

The most common reasons your Whirlpool dishwasher won't wash are a faulty pump and motor assembly, defective electronic control board or a clogged spray arm.

The most common reasons your Whirlpool dishwasher won't start cycle are a defective electronic control board, damaged power supply board or a failed door switch.

The most common reasons your Whirlpool dishwasher won't drain are a failed drain pump, faulty pump and motor assembly or a cracked drain hose.

The most common reasons your Whirlpool dishwasher will not spray water are a faulty circulation pump, a clogged spray arm, or a defective electronic control board.

The most common reasons your Whirlpool dishwasher is not working are a defective electronic control board, damaged user interface control or a stripped wire connector.

The most common reasons your Whirlpool dishwasher is not washing are a faulty pump and motor assembly, defective electronic control board or a clogged spray arm.