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Sump Cleaning for a GE Dishwasher Filter

Jon Stefansson

The sump filter, located in the bottom of your General Electric dishwasher, catches scraps of food, pieces of fallen cutlery and other objects before they can pass into the drain system. Keeping the sump filter clean improves the flow of water out of the dishwasher and reduces the chance of flooding. Inspect the filter at the end of each wash and perform cleaning when it is is necessary.

Wipe the Filter (As Necessary)

A clean dishwasher produces better results.

Use a damp dishcloth or a piece of kitchen towel to wipe up any food scraps in the bottom of the dishwasher on top of the sump filter. Leaving bits of food on your dishes, cutlery or cookware increases the likelihood of material ending up in the filter; always scrape food into the garbage or disposal before starting a wash.

Clean the Filter (Every Few Months)

Open the dishwasher, slide out the bottom rack and wash the filter with warm water, cleaning away any tough scraps with a soft cloth. Avoid scourers or other harsh cleaning supplies. Rinse off any remaining detergent and slide the lower rack back into position.

Remove the Filter (Once A Year)

Remove the screws and lift out the filter every year to check for debris trapped in the macerator. Clean out any fine debris that has passed through the filter screen with a gentle cloth and replace the filter cover. Check beneath the filter screen if the dishwasher produces a pump-out error code.

Other Blockages

Have a plumber inspect the dishwasher's standpipe or drain if the filter and sump are clear of debris but flooding still occurs. It's possible an object from another source, such as the kitchen sink or washing machine, has blocked the piping and caused the drain problems.