This Is the Best Way to Clean Your Dishwasher, According to Experts
Cleaning a dishwasher is an odd prospect, for sure. Given the nature of their job, shouldn’t dishwashers be inherently clean? You’d think so! But over time, dishwashers can collect food debris, soap residue, and inexplicable gunk that needs to be wiped away to ensure your dishes are getting a proper cleaning.
To keep your dishwasher in its best condition for as long as possible, it’s essential to clean it regularly. But how? Admittedly, it’s not the most intuitive process — but have no fear: I’ve consulted with a cleaning expert who provided step-by-step guidance on cleaning your dishwasher, including those small, obscure parts you probably didn’t even realize were in there! And don’t worry, it’s much easier than you might think.
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Why Should You Clean Your Dishwasher?
Since it’s your dishwasher’s job to clean your dishes, it’s understandable to assume that the machine itself would be clean. After all, it’s full of hot, soapy water, right? But in reality, the inside of your dishwasher is actually really filthy. “Over time, buildup will accumulate in your dishwasher from food particles, grease, and soap scum. This buildup can lead to unpleasant smells, reduced efficiency, and even potential damage,” says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid. “Cleaning your dishwasher regularly will increase longevity, prevent costly repairs, and ensure that your dishes come out sparkling every time.”
How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher?
The answer depends on how often you use it. A dishwasher that’s rarely used should be cleaned about every six months. But if you’re like most families and you run your dishwasher once or even twice daily, your dishwasher cleaning routine should be much more often. In this case, according to Mock, “cleaning your dishwasher about once a month will maintain its performance and prevent buildup of grime, lime scale, and odors.”
How to Clean a Dishwasher: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re wondering how to thoroughly clean your dishwasher, you’ve come to the right place. Below is an expert-approved, comprehensive step-by-step guide to ensuring you’ve cleaned all the pieces and parts to help your dishwasher function at top condition for years to come.
What You’ll Need
Distilled white vinegar
Baking soda
Sponge
Screwdriver, hex wrench, or other tool (check internal dishwasher screws before you start)
Toothpick (or other small pointy object to clean out spinning arm)
Dish soap
Microfiber cloths or soft rags
Toothbrush
Stainless steel or multipurpose cleaner
Empty the dishwasher: Wait until after you’ve run a cycle, then completely empty the dishwasher. Pull out the racks (sometimes, only the bottom one comes out, and that’s totally fine).
Remove any piece that seems removable: All dishwashers are different, but you’ll be able to tell what pieces can come out. At the very least, you should be able to remove the utensil basket, and unscrew the bottom spinning arm/disc so you can pull out the grate and filter.
Check the holes in the spinning arm/disc: Use needle nose pliers, a toothpick, or some other small pointy tool to remove any debris that has built up in the holes of the spinning arm. (It may be a disc — whatever shape it is, it’s where the water gets sprayed out.) Some new dishwashers have more than one spinning arm, so be sure to check each arm and all the holes.
Wash all the pieces: Bring everything you were able to remove from the dishwasher and give it a good cleaning with a soapy sponge and warm water. Don’t forget to clean the filter! (More on that below.)
Clean the inside of the dishwasher: Use a damp sponge to wipe down the bottom, sides, and the door of the dishwasher. Make sure to get the door seal (more on that below).
Run an empty cycle with vinegar: Return all the pieces. Then, to remove hard water deposits and catch anything you may have missed in your earlier cleaning, add two cups of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher and run the dishwasher on a “low” or “energy-saving” cycle. Stop the dishwasher halfway through the cycle, and let the vinegar stand on the bottom for about 20 minutes. Then, complete the cycle.
Clean and polish the exterior: If you have a stainless steel dishwasher, apply a stainless steel cleanser to the exterior of the dishwasher, and wipe with a soft or microfiber cloth. Rinse if necessary. For a streak-free finish, spray cleaner directly onto one towel. Dry with a second clean towel in the direction of the grain.
How to clean the door and gasket
There’s a rubber gasket that runs the entire length of the door of your dishwasher. The gasket is an often-overlooked but critically important part that helps keep water inside the dishwasher instead of all over your kitchen floor. An overly dirty gasket can prevent the door from sealing properly when the dishwasher is closed, and can even shorten the life of your dishwasher. So it’s important to keep it clean with the following steps:
Wipe the bottom of the door. In some dishwasher models, the bottom of the dishwasher door accumulates debris because water cannot reach there. Wipe this off with a soft cloth or paper towel.
Wipe the door seal. Soak the corner of a damp cloth in vinegar, then use it to wipe around the door seal. If need be, get into the tiny, tighter areas with a toothbrush or Q-tip, also soaked in vinegar.
How to clean the filter
The filter is the true workhorse of your dishwasher. Its job is to catch all those yucky, grimy bits of food and who-knows-what-else that’s sprayed off your dishes during the wash cycle. In most models, the filter is in the middle of the bottom of the dishwasher, and can be gently unscrewed for cleaning. For how to clean a dishwasher filter, follow these steps:
Screw the filter and pull it out.
Gently tap any excess food particles or buildup into a trash can.
Using a soft toothbrush, wash the filter screen with a baking soda paste or warm, soapy water.
With a clean cloth or paper towel, wipe the dishwasher around the rim of the filter before replacing it.
Replace the filter and gently screw it back into place.
How to clean the drain
For most routine dishwasher drain cleaning purposes, The Home Depot recommends using a solution of baking soda and vinegar. Simply sprinkle some baking soda directly into the drain, then pour about a cup of white vinegar into the drain. Let the solution bubble and fizz for about 15 minutes. Then, run your dishwasher on the hottest water setting to help clear debris from the drain.
How to clean the utensil tray
So much food and other debris can get stuck in the small spaces of your utensil tray, so it’s a good idea to remove it and thoroughly clean it any time you clean your dishwasher (or perhaps even more often!). Check the utensil rack for any stuck-on food pieces and give the whole thing a wash with a soapy toothbrush, dish brush, or sponge. Now that you know how to clean your dishwasher, it’s time to learn how to clean a refrigerator, and then move on to cleaning an oven.
Further Reading
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