My experience!

Cleaning your KitchenAid dishwasher filter at least once a month ensures optimum level performance. Remember that the filter traps the large food particles and debris that come off the utensils during the cleaning cycle. If the filter becomes clogged, your KitchenAid dishwasher may not be able to perform at its best.

It will only take a few minutes a month to clean your KitchenAid dishwasher. Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (and will save you $1000 for a new dishwasher).

• Locate the filter. It’s usually at the bottom rack of the dishwasher (or try consulting the manual to be sure).
• Clean the outside area of the filter with a sponge or tissue soaked in soap and water. Then unscrew the filter housing to clean the debris inside the filter area. Wash with soap and water and reassemble back in. If your dishwasher doesn’t have removable filter areas, leave it. Never try to pry it open.
• Pour two gallons of hot water and a cup of vinegar at the bottom of the dishwasher and turn to a wash cycle, allowing the vinegar and water mix to clean the interior and the filter area. (You can also try Lime Away instead of vinegar)

Be careful when you’re using vinegar or Lime Away when washing you KitchenAid Dishwasher. Although it is highly recommended to remove the residue, soils and stains in your dishwasher’s interior, it can also cause corrosion of the interior’s surface since they are both very strong and acidic. It is advisable to always add a gallon or two of water with one cup of vinegar or Lime Away.