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While the exact appearance of the filter will depend on your dishwasher brand, it often consists of a cylindrical or rectangular mesh or plastic component. The filter is located at the bottom of the dishwasher beneath the lower spray arm. It includes a combination of a coarse filter, which traps larger food particles, and a finer filter, which captures smaller debris. The filter assembly may be a single unit or a multi-part system that can be twisted or snapped out for cleaning.

You can repair minor damage to a dishwasher drain hose with tape designed to handle moisture but it’s probably better to simply replace it. Dishwasher hoses are inexpensive items that, although they require some muscle to change, are best swapped out. You don’t want to find your kitchen has flooded because of a faulty part that usually costs between $10 and $30.

A clogged air gap can cause a dishwasher not to drain. There are, however, other potential issues that can lead to improper drainage. For example, if you have attached the air gap to a garbage disposal and forgotten to remove the knockout plug, wastewater may backflow into the dishwasher. Check that the air gap is installed properly, and then look for clogs in the air gap and dishwasher filters. 

Your first instinct might be to grab the bleach to clean a moldy dishwasher, but it’s not the best product for the job. You don’t want to use bleach to clean stainless steel components if your dishwasher has them, as it can cause significant damage. In addition, the scent of bleach can linger if not rinsed well, causing your dishes to retain a smell (and even taste) of bleach.