The invention relates to a method for cleaning a filter element (9) located in a filtering chamber (10, 11) and to a filter implementing the method. The filter includes an inlet (4) leading to the inlet side (10) of the filtering chamber, an outlet (6) starting from the outlet side (11) of the chamber, and a flow passage (13), which connects the chamber inlet side preferably to atmospheric pressure and by means of which a pressure difference can be generated between the different sides of the filter element in order to produce a flow impulse detaching solid matter accumulated on the element. In accordance with the invention, the inlet side (10) of the filtering chamber is connected in a first step to a confined buffer chamber (14) under lower pressure, the pressure equalisation between the chambers producing a flow impulse cleaning the filter element (9), after which the buffer chamber can be connected to atmospheric pressure. Such two-step pressure drop during cleaning of the filter element allows use of the elements in high-pressure hydraulic systems without exposing the element to risk of damage.