How to Clean a Whirlpool Dishwasher: Filter, Cleaning Cycle and Smells

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How to clean a Whirlpool dishwasher, step by step

1. Empty the dishwasher and roll the lower rack all the way out.
2. Remove the two filters: the round upper filter turns a quarter turn counterclockwise and lifts out; the flat lower filter comes out after it.
3. Wash them by hand in warm water with dish soap. Whirlpool rules out wire brushes and scouring pads, which tear the mesh.
4. Wipe the sump where the filters sit, picking out seeds, glass or labels.
5. Reinstall: lower filter first, then the upper filter, turned clockwise until it locks.
6. Clean the inside with a cleaner in an empty normal cycle (below), then wipe the door edges and gasket.

The Whirlpool dishwasher filter

Whirlpool dishwashers with a removable filter use a two-piece system in the floor of the tub: an upper cylinder and a lower flat filter. Whirlpool's product help says to clean them once a month, and every two weeks for large families or heavy use. A sour smell, gritty dishes or water left in the bottom are the signs it's overdue.

Some older or Maytag-built models with a hard food disposer have no filter to remove. If there's no handle in the floor of the tub, skip this step and rely on a monthly cleaning cycle.

Does a Whirlpool dishwasher have a cleaning cycle?

You don't need a special cycle: a normal cycle does the job, with the dishwasher empty and a cleaner in the detergent cup. Run it the same day you clean the filter so the grease loosened in the sump goes down the drain.

Whirlpool cautions that frequent vinegar can damage parts inside the machine, and vinegar must never meet a bleach product. A citric acid tablet made for dishwashers is the simpler route for grease and scale.

Cleaning the inside of a Whirlpool dishwasher with BLITZ

The filter stops new food from going around; the grease and scale already on the walls, racks and spray arms need a cleaning cycle. BLITZ Dishwasher Cleaner removes grease, grime and limescale buildup and helps get rid of the smell at the source:

1. Clean the filter first.
2. Put one tablet in the detergent compartment of the empty dishwasher.
3. Run a normal cycle.

It works in every household dishwasher, stainless steel or plastic inside, and it's septic-safe, like every BLITZ product. A box of 24 is $24.95, about $1.04 a clean, a year at one tablet every two weeks.

24 tablets for $24.95

More help: Whirlpool dishwasher not draining, how to clean a dishwasher filter, every brand, dishwasher not cleaning dishes, dishwasher smells bad, how to clean a Bosch dishwasher, and the whole routine on our dishwasher care page.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the filter on a Whirlpool dishwasher?

In the floor of the tub, under the lower spray arm. The round upper filter twists out a quarter turn counterclockwise; the flat lower filter lifts out after it.

How often should I clean my Whirlpool dishwasher filter?

Whirlpool says monthly, and every two weeks for large families. Clean it sooner if dishes come out gritty or the tub smells sour.

Can I clean my Whirlpool dishwasher with vinegar?

Whirlpool warns that frequent vinegar can damage parts. Use a dishwasher cleaner such as a BLITZ tablet in an empty normal cycle instead.

Why does my Whirlpool dishwasher smell?

Usually food trapped in the filter or grease in the sump and gasket. Clean the filter, wipe the gasket, then run a BLITZ tablet empty.

Sources

Whirlpool product help, How to clean the dishwasher filters (monthly, every two weeks for large families, no wire brushes); Whirlpool dishwasher care guidance on vinegar; BLITZ Dishwasher Cleaner product page and directions. Checked October 2026.

Whirlpool is a trademark of its owner. BLITZ is not affiliated with Whirlpool.