Rinse a gold tone coffee filter under hot water after every brew, once you've knocked the grounds into the trash. Once a week, wash it on the top rack of the dishwasher, or scrub it with a drop of dish soap and a soft brush if you don't have a dishwasher. The acids and oils in coffee build up in the mesh, so washing it every time you use it keeps it from clogging and from making your coffee taste stale.
Updated October 2026. This answer first ran in our FAQ. We've added how to unclog a slow filter, when to replace one, and the reusable filters we make.
A gold tone coffee filter is a washable, reusable metal mesh filter that takes the place of paper filters. The gold color is a coating over the mesh. On ours it's titanium over stainless steel. Coffee's natural acids and oils settle into that mesh over time, which is why it needs washing every time you use it, not just when it looks dirty.
After every brew
Hold the filter over the trash or compost bin and knock out as many grounds as you can. Then run it under hot water, inside and out, until every last ground is gone. Hold it up to a light when you're done. You should be able to see through the mesh evenly, with no dark patches. Let it air dry before the next pot.
Once a week: a proper wash
To stop blockages and mold from building up, give the filter a real wash once a week.
If you have a dishwasher, put the filter on the top rack and wash it with the rest of your dishes. Keep it off the bottom rack, because the heat down there can melt the plastic rim or handle.
No dishwasher? Squirt a little dish soap into the filter and gently scrub the inside and outside of the mesh with a soft brush. An old toothbrush works well. Rinse until there's no soap left at all, since leftover soap will show up in your next cup.
If it drains slowly or the coffee tastes bitter
That's usually old coffee oil clogging the mesh. Soak the filter for 15 to 30 minutes in hot water with a spoonful of baking soda stirred in, give it a gentle scrub with the soft brush, and rinse it well.
If the filter looks clean and the brew is still slow, the problem may be the coffee maker. Hard water leaves scale inside the machine that slows the flow and drops the brew temperature. Our guide on how to descale a coffee maker walks through it, and our universal coffee machine descaler is made in the USA, with 8 to 12 descales per bottle.
When to replace a gold tone filter
Check the filter now and then for damage. Replace it if the mesh has a tear or hole (you'll find grounds in your cup), if the basket or rim is cracked, if the coating has worn through to spots of rust, or if it still drains slowly after a baking soda soak. A cracked basket or torn mesh can let grounds into your coffee maker, and it won't make a good cup either.
Reusable coffee filters we make
We make gold, titanium-coated stainless steel disc filters for the AeroPress Original, Clear, Go, Go Plus and Premium and for the AeroPress XL. Both rinse clean under warm water and can go in the dishwasher.
For cold brew, we make a stainless steel and rubber disk filter for the Toddy T2N that only needs a quick rinse, and washable strainer bags for Toddy 5-gallon commercial brewers. They're aftermarket parts made by Think Crucial, with free U.S. shipping, and orders placed by 2pm ET ship the same business day.
Frequently asked questions
Can a gold tone coffee filter go in the dishwasher?
Most can, on the top rack, away from the heating element that can melt plastic rims. Our AeroPress disc filters are dishwasher safe. If yours came with care instructions, follow those.
How often should I clean a gold tone coffee filter?
Rinse it after every use and give it a full wash once a week. Coffee acids and oils build up quickly in fine mesh.
Why does my reusable filter make bitter coffee?
Old coffee oil trapped in the mesh goes stale and comes through in the cup. Soak the filter in hot water with a spoonful of baking soda, scrub it with a soft brush and rinse it well.