How often to clean a washing machine and dishwasher filter

The short answer

There is no single number, and the brands we read do not agree with each other. For a washing machine, Beko's pump-filter page says every month, more often with pets or heavily soiled laundry, although the same page's introduction says about once every three months. For a dishwasher, Beko says to clean the filter once a week, while Bosch says every few months. Siemens asks for the washing machine's water inlet filter to be cleaned every 6 months in hard-water areas. Use the figure in your own manual, and clean sooner if the machine drains slowly or fills with little water.

Washing machine

• Pump (drain) filter, Beko: the page recommends cleaning it every month, and more

often if you have pets or often wash heavily soiled items. Its introduction says to check it about once every three months to make sure it is not blocked. Treat that difference as a range, not a rule. Beko also says the location varies by model.

• Water inlet filter, Siemens (BSH): if you live in a hard-water area, the page

recommends cleaning it every 6 months so the valve does not become blocked. It also says to clean it if little or no water is flowing in.

• Safety, Beko: switch the machine off and unplug it first, put a towel in front of

the filter and have a container ready for leaking water. If it drains poorly, makes noise while draining or runs longer than usual, stop the cycle before cleaning the filter.

Dishwasher

• Filter: Beko says the filter should be cleaned once a week, or whenever it becomes

clogged. Bosch recommends cleaning it every few months to remove food debris that may hinder performance. The two are far apart, so check which your manual names.

• Descaling: Beko recommends descaling on a monthly basis. Bosch says to use a

descaler a few times a year to remove hard-water residue and limescale.

• Deep clean: Beko suggests deep cleaning every few months, depending on how often you

use the machine.

• Softening salt: Bosch says to fill the salt container regularly, and gives no set

interval. Check whether your model uses salt at all.

• Door seals: Beko gives no interval, only to wipe the outer surface and door seals

gently with a slightly damp cloth.

Is it a legal requirement?

We did not search for any legal obligation to clean a household washing machine or dishwasher, and these are manufacturer recommendations only. Whether skipping cleaning affects a warranty claim depends on your warranty terms, which we did not check here.

Before you rely on this

These are general support pages from Beko, Bosch (Canada) and Siemens (South Africa), not the manual for your model, and we found no matching official interval from Electrolux or Whirlpool. Some pages contradict themselves, as noted above. Your manual has the final say.

Track it in Epimeleia

Add the washing machine and dishwasher as items, then set a recurring reminder for the filter at the interval your manual names, and a second one every 6 months for the washing machine inlet filter if you live in a hard-water area. Attach the manual so the interval is one tap away.