How to Clean Water Filter in Fridge (And What to Replace)

Quick answer: How to clean water filter in fridge, honestly: you don’t clean the cartridge. Refrigerator filter cartridges are sealed, wear out with use, and are meant to be replaced, usually about every 6 months. What you can clean is everything around it: the housing area, the dispenser and its tray. Then flush the new cartridge before you drink from it.

I get why people ask. A cartridge looks like a sturdy plastic tube, and throwing one out twice a year feels wasteful.

But the filtering happens inside, in material you can’t reach or restore. The EPA’s guidance on home filters says cartridges “wear out and become less effective with use,” and tells you to change them on time. No manufacturer page I read for this guide (LG, Samsung, Whirlpool) gives a method for washing one.

So here’s the job I’d actually do instead. Most of it is just letting water run.

What You’ll Need

• A replacement cartridge with the same model number as the old one
• A towel and a cup or small bowl for drips
• Disposable gloves
• Mild dish soap, warm water and a microfiber or soft cloth
• A pitcher or large container for flushing

Why gloves? The CDC says to wear gloves when you change filters and wash your hands afterward, since a used filter holds what it caught. The CDC also says people with weakened immune systems should avoid changing water filters themselves. If that’s you, ask someone else to do it.

How to Clean Water Filter in Fridge: Step by Step

1. Read the model number on the old cartridge. Samsung tells owners to check the model printed on the existing filter, and LG offers a filter finder that works from your fridge’s model number.
2. Shut off the water if your manual says to. LG says to close the supply valve on most models, then press the dispenser paddle to drain the line. Some models don’t need this step.
3. Lay a towel under the housing. When you twist the old one out, a little water always escapes.
4. Remove the old cartridge. Most twist counterclockwise to unlock. Pull it straight out and bag it.
5. Wipe the housing area dry. Use a clean cloth on the cap, the opening and any drip tray around it. Don’t spray cleaner into the filter head.
6. Take the protective cap off the new cartridge. Don’t forget this one. A capped filter won’t seat.
7. Push it in and turn it clockwise until it locks. On LG and Samsung models, the lock mark lines up with an indicator line.
8. Turn the water back on and check for drips around the housing.
9. Flush the new cartridge. LG says to dispense about 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters). Samsung’s Canadian guide says to run water for about 7 minutes, roughly 10 to 12 large glasses, and pour it out.
10. Reset the filter light. See our guides for LG and Whirlpool fridges, or browse all water filter guides.
11. Clean the dispenser. Whirlpool recommends warm water with mild soap or detergent, then drying with a microfiber or soft cloth. It warns that paper towels may scratch or dull the finish.

Why Flushing Matters After a Swap

The first water through a fresh cartridge isn’t the water you want to drink.

LG says black specks right after a change are carbon fines from the filter, and they clear with flushing. Samsung notes a new filter can spit or spray at first because air got into the line. In practice, I’d keep dispensing until the flow runs smooth and steady, even past the official amount.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Rinsing and reinstalling the old cartridge. It won’t restore what the filter media has used up. The CDC says regular changes on the maker’s schedule are part of keeping germs from growing in a filter.
• Waiting for the light alone. LG says to replace the filter sooner if water comes out slowly, and Samsung says a noticeable drop in flow means it’s time, light or not.
• Skipping the flush. You’ll get carbon specks and sputtering.
• Harsh cleaners on the dispenser. Whirlpool says finish damage from non-recommended cleaners isn’t covered by warranty.
• Forcing a cartridge that won’t turn. LG’s advice is to pull it out, realign it, and push it straight in again.

One more option I think is worth knowing about. If a Whirlpool filter clogs and you can’t replace it right away, Whirlpool says you can remove it and the system runs in bypass mode. You won’t get filtered water until a new one goes in, and not every brand works this way, so check your manual first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you clean a refrigerator water filter and reuse it?

No. Fridge filter cartridges are sealed and wear out with use, and the EPA says to change them on schedule. Manufacturers like LG and Samsung give replacement intervals, not cleaning steps.

How often should a fridge water filter be replaced?

LG and Samsung both say about every 6 months. Whirlpool says every 6 months, or every 6 to 9 months on fridges with no indicator light. Replace it sooner if the flow slows down.

How do you flush a new fridge water filter?

Dispense water and throw it away. LG says about 2.5 gallons. Samsung’s Canadian guide says about 7 minutes, or 10 to 12 large glasses.

What happens if you never change your fridge water filter?

Water flow can slow, and Whirlpool says a clogged filter can mean smaller ice cubes and less ice. The CDC says filters need regular maintenance, including on-time changes, to keep germs from growing in them.

Last updated: November 10, 2026. Sources: EPA: learn how to maintain your water filter (PDF), CDC: choosing home water filters, LG: replacing your refrigerator water filter and Whirlpool: cleaning the dispenser.