Cleaning a Dishwasher Filter, Sump, & Chopper

Cleaning a dishwasher filter, sump, and chopper. Our Whirlpool dishwasher hasn't been cleaning as well lately and it's overdue for some maintenance. The chopper screen wasn't too bad but the sump was abnormally greasy for some reason. If your dishes aren't getting as clean as they used to, your dishwasher isn't draining well, or it's making a grinding noise, this video is for you! See links below for the parts and tools I used:
DeWalt Screwdriver Bit Set:
amzn.to/49Gk29F (affiliate*)
*Purchasing from these Amazon affiliate links earns my channel a small commission. Think of it as a tip that doesn't cost you anything. Thanks for the support!

[@Mikeattempts]

Dewalt Screwdriver Bit Set: amzn.to/49Gk29F (affiliate*) *Purchasing from these Amazon affiliate links earns my channel a small commission. Think of it as a tip that doesn't cost you anything. Thanks for the support!

[@AlexWinemiller]

Perfect video, exactly what I needed. Good detail, and clear shots of everything. Thanks so much

[@Mikeattempts]

I appreciate the feedback, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! :)

[@CRyan-d6f]

Thank you so much for this video, very helpful!

[@Mikeattempts]

Glad to hear it, thanks for watching!

[@brainiac_brian]

Thanks! I never knew, and always wondered what happened to the little bits of stuff left on a plate. Great job of teaching!

[@Mikeattempts]

Thanks for the feedback, I'm glad the video was helpful!

[@tomtxtx9617]

Thanks! Good video. Would be helpful if you mentioned details like the size of the Torx bit.

[@Mikeattempts]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind for next time!

[@tomtxtx9617]

@@Mikeattempts Sure thing! My dishwasher is a slightly different model and requires 2 different sizes of Torx plus a Phillips. For 7 screws.

[@tomtxtx9617]

Since you seem to like the feedback - at 1:19, you probably don't actually have to remove that screw which mounts the tube against the top of the washer. At least for me, getting that screw back into place is a real PITA (contributing factor: It's a semi-stripped Phillips...) Instead, after removing the screw to the back of the washer you can start the rotation of the tube assembly to get some play, then separate the bottom horizontal portion. Continue rotation of the ~8" disconnected portion.

[@Mikeattempts]

@@tomtxtx9617 Yeah, I think mine used Torx and a square bit for one screw.

[@Mikeattempts]

@@tomtxtx9617 Ah, that's a good tip, thank you!

[@Ertiyed]

A tip is to buy finish dishwasher cleaner and run the machine with it. its works wonders. Also dont forget to add salt for dishwashers.

[@Mikeattempts]

I've never used any dishwasher cleaner, I'll hafta try it out.

[@tomtxtx9617]

@@Mikeattempts I have tried several different dishwasher cleaners (Multiple kinds of tablets, vinegar, citric acid) - I have settled on the Active brand, which is also on Amazon (and you could link).

[@Mikeattempts]

@@tomtxtx9617 Thanks, I'll check it out!

[@Jirekianu]

Man that's some gnarly hard water build up. Have you guys ever tested to see what the mineral content of your tap water is?

[@Mikeattempts]

We're on well water but when I did this job a few years ago, there was no buildup. That leads me to believe that it's either iron bacteria (harmless but can create a "slimy" texture on surfaces) or possibly dissolved plastic buildup from those dishwasher pods. I'm planning to shock the well to see if that help.

[@gaspuu]

@@Mikeattempts Just a guess, looks like a combination of iron oxide and hard water. Have you tried to keep some sample piece in vinegar bath for a day? If that helps the answer is clear.

[@Mikeattempts]

@@gaspuu The buildup was soft and slimy or greasy so that's why I thought it might be iron bacteria. I haven't tried putting any in vinegar but there are no hard pieces. Hopefully shocking the well will resolve the issue but I'll report back.

[@heyallenify]

So, how did it work after all the tear down and cleaning?

[@Mikeattempts]

My wife says the dishes are noticeably cleaner! :)

[@rbtgmnstcs]

I use oven cleaner for a lot. It's really aggressive on grime, old burnt in grease and dirt in general. It has saved many hours for me, especially when cleaning old machinery. However, if most of the plastic and rubber materials use to cope with the cleaner, it's good practice to rinse it off pretty quickly, and be careful using it on aluminium parts, as it gets corroded and the shine alters. Although it's altering the aluminium surfaces, it can also clean up already oxidized surfaces, making them look way better than before. Maybe it's not the best for dishwashers, but it's just a tip of advice in general. Conclusion, try using oven cleaner and discover its benefits, but be cautious, some things may suffer, and especially yourself if you get it on your skin and breathe in too much of it. When I first realized its power, I sprayed it on an old tractor that must have been showered in hydraulic oil during hot summers for half a century.. it got rid of everything after just one spray and pressure washing. It came with a surprise as well, when it also got rid of the crappy secondary paint job that had been done, leaving the original paint untouched. You should make a video trying that on something :)

[@Mikeattempts]

That's cool, I've never thought of using it as a cleaner outside of the oven but it makes sense.