Do Amana Dishwashers Have Filters? [And How To Clean Them]

Just like any other appliance, your Amana dishwasher will require some routine maintenance, especially when it comes to the filters. Performing this simple task can lengthen the life of your dishwasher and will ensure your dishes come out of the dishwasher sparkly clean. We've researched Amana dishwashers and have found the best way to remove and clean the filters.

Amana dishwashers come with a triple filter system, consisting of an upper filter assembly and a lower filter. The filters will require cleaning and routine maintenance to sustain the dishwasher's maximum cleaning power.

How often you clean the filter will depend on how often the dishwasher is used. Clean the filters by soaking them in a solution of hot water and dish soap and rinse thoroughly. 

Continue reading to find out more about keeping your Amana dishwasher clean. Knowing how often to clean the filters can sustain your dishwasher's peak cleaning performance. We will provide some tips on how to clean the inside of your dishwasher as well. After all, you do eat and drink off those dishes. Don't you want to make sure they are as clean as they can be?

Where is the Filter Located on an Amana Dishwasher?

The first step in cleaning the filters in your dishwasher is locating and removing them. Amana dishwasher filters are found in the bottom center of your dishwasher. As mentioned earlier, there is an upper filter assembly and a lower filter. Each filter serves a different purpose.

The upper filter assembly keeps foreign objects from entering the pump, such as broken glass, wrappers, or fine food particles. To prevent food from being recirculated onto your dishes, the lower filter is used. Look at the following picture to notice the differences in the upper and lower filters.

The upper filter is circular shaped, while the lower filter looks sort of u-shaped.

How to Remove the Dishwasher Filters

Your Amana dishwasher may look similar to the below picture. Follow the steps below to remove your Amana dishwasher filter.

1. Remove the bottom dishwasher rack to reach the filtration system better.
2. Take out any large food particles, foreign objects, glass, toothpicks, or anything else you see at the bottom of the dishwasher. If these items fall into your dishwasher after removing the filters, further problems could arise.
3. Turn the circular upper filter assembly ¼ counterclockwise and lift it out. If the spray arm is in your way, consider removing it to reach the filters more easily.
4. Separate the upper filter from the lower filter by gently pulling them apart.

Now that you have removed the filters, it is time to get them cleaned.

How to Clean Amana Dishwasher Filters

No fancy cleaning solution is required when cleaning dishwasher filters. You probably have everything you need right under your kitchen sink. Make a solution using dish soap and hot water. Run the filters under some hot water to remove any built-up soil.

Soaking the filters in hot soapy water for a few minutes may also help remove stuck-on particles or any calcium deposits that may have formed.

If you find any build-up or particles remaining after soaking your filters, use a soft brush to gently scrub off those hard to remove particles. A small toothbrush would be a great option. Do not use any scouring pads or wire brushes to clean your filters as damage may occur.

How to Reinstall Amana Dishwasher Filters

Now that your dishwasher filters are spic and span, it's time to put them back into the dishwasher. Use these step-by-step directions to reinstall your filters.

1. Find the locating tabs at the bottom of the dishwasher. Place the lower filter under the locating tabs. The round opening in the bottom of the tub should evenly line up with the round opening for the upper filter assembly.
2. Install the upper filter into the circular opening in the lower filter.
3. Slowly rotate the upper filter in a clockwise motion until you feel it drop into place.
4. Continue turning the filter until it locks completely into place.

The upper and lower filter arrows do not have to line up evenly. What matters is that the filter is locked securely in place.  To prevent dishwasher damage, do not run the dishwasher if the filter is not correctly installed. If the upper filter assembly can rotate and turn freely, it is not locked into place and not properly installed.

How Often Do You Have to Clean the Filters in a Dishwasher?

Over time, the filters in a dishwasher can become covered in gunk and grime. According to Amana, several factors should be considered when deciding how often to clean your dishwasher filters.

The number of loads per week, if you only scrape before loading, if you scrape and rinse before loading, or if you wash before loading are all circumstances that can affect how often you clean your dishwasher filters. Here are recommended time intervals and factors to follow when deciding how often to clean your dishwasher filters.

Every 2 Months

• 8-12 loads per week and only scraping dishes before loading

Every 4 Months

• 8-12 loads per week and scraping and rinsing before loading
• 4-7 loads per week and scraping only before loading

Twice Per Year

• 1-3 loads per week and scraping only before loading

Once a Year

• 1-7 loads per week and scraping and rinsing before loading
• 1-12 loads per week and washing your dishes before loading

The cleaner your dishes are before going into the dishwasher, the less often your filters need to be washed. Washing your dishes before loading them in the dishwasher defeats the purpose of having a dishwasher.

Manufacturer recommendations, according to Amana, are to scrape your dishes before loading. Washing and rinsing them before loading is not necessary.

What Happens if You Don't Clean Your Dishwasher Filter?

Not cleaning your dishwasher filter regularly can lead to grease, grime, and food build-up. All of this debris can cause your dishwasher not to work as efficiently as it is meant. Your family or guests may notice tiny food particles stuck on their plates, and who wants to eat off a dirty plate?

Clogged or dirty filters can also reduce the life span of the filter. You don't want to spend any extra money. You don't have to.

Why Does My Amana Dishwasher Stink?

Several situations could be contributing to the stench in your dishwasher. Food build-up is often the leading cause of this funky smell. The food can be trapped in the filter, spray arms, drain, or any other tiny space. Standing water can also lead to a moldy or mildew smell. Here are some things you can try to rid your dishwasher of that foul smell.

Clean the Spray Arms

Remove the spray arms from your dishwasher and rinse them under warm water. Tiny pieces of food can become lodged in the holes on the spray arm. This will cause a sickening smell and will also prevent water from being sprayed through the holes. Use a toothpick to clean out any gunk that has accumulated in the holes.

Clean the Inside of the Dishwasher

This should be done about once a month and is such an easy process. A bucket of hot soapy water will do the trick. Scrub the walls and bottom of your dishwasher, and you can even wash the racks to prevent mold or mildew growth.

Vinegar and baking soda also work wonders on the inside of your dishwasher. Place a bowl of white vinegar in the top rack of your empty dishwasher and run a normal cycle. Following that cycle, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda on the floor of your empty dishwasher and run another normal cycle. Any lingering odor should be thoroughly washed away.

There are also many products available on the market that aid in cleaning your dishwasher.  Special dishwasher cleaning tablets can be purchased. These work the same way as dish cleaning tablets. However, these are specially formulated to remove limescale and mineral build-up in your dishwasher.

These dishwasher cleaner tablets can be found on Amazon.

Summary

By simply cleaning the filters on your Amana dishwasher, you can extend the life of your dishwasher and ensure that your dishes aren't being washed in dirty water. Keeping the interior of your dishwasher clean can also prevent those unpleasant smells from developing. No repairman is necessary. This easy chore can be done in only a few minutes but can save you from more problems down the road.

Click on the following links to discover more information on dishwashers:

How Long Does An Amana Dishwasher Run?

Do Dishwashers Waste Or Save Water And Electricity?