How to Clean Your Dishwasher

Blue House Chicago
Dec 15, 2024
5 min read

Updated: Aug 22

The Importance of Regular Cleaning:

Longevity: Food residue, mineral buildup, and soap scum can clog essential components like the filter and spray arms. Regular cleaning prevents these issues, extending your dishwasher's lifespan and saving you money on repairs or replacements down the road.
Effectiveness: A clean dishwasher works harder, not smarter. When grime isn't hindering performance, your dishwasher can use water and energy more efficiently, ensuring sparkling clean dishes every cycle.
Hygiene: A clean dishwasher means a healthier kitchen. Food particles trapped inside can harbor bacteria and mold growth. Regular cleaning promotes a hygienic environment for your dishes.

Dishwasher Touchpoints Needing Extra Attention:

Filter: A clogged filter reduces water flow and cleaning power.
Spray Arms: Food particles and mineral buildup can impact their cleaning performance.
Door Seals: Over time, food debris and grime accumulate, potentially leading to seal leaks and odors.

Step-by-Step

Dishwasher Cleaning Guides

Keeping your dishwasher clean doesn't have to be a chore. Here's a breakdown of how often to tackle different cleaning tasks, along with the supplies you'll need:

Supplies:

Rubber gloves (optional)
Dish soap
Sponge or microfiber cloth
Baking soda
White vinegar (distilled vinegar)
Dishwasher cleaner (optional)
Toothbrush (optional)

Time Commitment:

Daily: 1-2 minutes
Weekly: 5 minutes
Monthly: 20-30 minutes

a. Daily Maintenance Tips (1-2 minutes)

These quick habits will keep your dishwasher functioning optimally on a daily basis:

Scrape Dishes: Before loading your dishwasher, take a minute to scrape any leftover food scraps or debris into the trash. You don't need to rinse dishes beforehand, as modern dishwashers and detergents are designed to handle light food residue.
Wipe Down the Door Gasket: Before you start your dishwashing cycle, give the door gasket a quick wipe with a damp cloth to remove any food particles that might cause odors or mold growth.

b. Weekly Cleaning Steps (5 minutes)

Keeping up weekly will go a long way in allowing your appliance to perform at its best.

Clean the Filter: Consult your dishwasher's manual for specific instructions on removing the filter. Rinse it thoroughly under running water to remove any trapped food particles.
Check Spray Arms: Occasionally, food particles can get lodged in the spray arm holes. Rotate the spray arms by hand and inspect for clogs. You can use a toothpick to carefully clear any blockages.
Wipe Down the Door and Control Panel: Use a damp microfiber cloth with a few drops of dish soap to wipe down the exterior door and control panel. This keeps your dishwasher looking clean and prevents grime buildup.

c. Monthly Thorough Clean Procedures (20-30 minutes)

Once a month, give your dishwasher a thorough clean to remove built-up grime and odors. Take a two-part approach using natural solutions or commercial cleaners:

Method 1:

Natural Cleaning with Vinegar and Baking Soda

Empty Dishwasher: Remove any dishes from the dishwasher.
Vinegar Rinse: Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe container and place it on the top rack. Run a hot water cycle without heat drying. The vinegar will help break down mineral deposits and deodorize the dishwasher.
Baking Soda Freshener: After the vinegar cycle, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda across the dishwasher bottom. Run a short hot water cycle (without heat drying) to help remove any remaining residue and freshen the interior.

Method 2:

Commercial Dishwasher Cleaner

Follow Product Instructions: Choose a reputable dishwasher cleaner and follow the manufacturer's instructions for dosage and placement within the dishwasher.
Run Hot Water Cycle: Most instructions will include running a hot water cycle with the dishwasher cleaner to remove built-up grease and grime.

Tip: For stubborn grime in the spray arms or around the door seal, you can use a toothbrush dipped in the vinegar or baking soda solution and scrub gently.

Cleaning Individual Parts

While regular maintenance keeps your dishwasher functioning smoothly, individual parts might require occasional focused cleaning.

The Filter:

Consult Your Manual: Every dishwasher model has a slightly different filter removal process. Refer to your dishwasher's manual for specific instructions on locating and removing the filter.

Remove the Filter: Locate the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher tub, typically near the spray arms. Most filters lift out or twist to detach.
Rinse Thoroughly: Hold the filter under running water and rinse away any trapped food scraps or debris. You can use a soft brush to gently remove stubborn grime.
Clean the Filter Housing: If you notice food particles around the filter housing in the dishwasher tub, you can wipe it down with a damp cloth or a toothbrush dipped in vinegar solution.
Reinstall the Filter: Once clean and rinsed, put the filter back in its designated place, ensuring it's securely locked in position (refer to your manual for proper placement).

The Drain:

While you shouldn't need to clean the drain itself frequently, you can check for clogs occasionally.

Locate the Drain Access: Consult your dishwasher's manual to locate the drain access point. It might be a small panel at the bottom of the dishwasher or a screw-on cap.
Remove Debris: Carefully unscrew the cap or remove the panel. Use a flashlight to peek inside and check for any large food scraps or debris that might be causing a clog. You can remove them by hand or with tongs.
Pro Tip: Line the floor with a rag or paper towels to quickly wipe up any mess.
Hot Water Flush (Optional): Once you've removed any debris, pour a pot of hot (not boiling) water down the drain to clear any remaining clogs.
Replace the Drain Access: Securely screw the cap back on or replace the access panel.

Utensil Holders and Racks:

Utensil holders and racks can accumulate food residue and grime over time. To keep them clean:

Remove the Racks and Holders: Most dishwasher racks and utensil holders can be easily detached by pulling them out or flipping a latch.
Soak in Hot, Soapy Water: For heavily soiled racks or holders, fill your sink with hot, soapy water and let them soak for 30 minutes to loosen grime.
Scrub with Brush: Use a sponge or scrub brush to clean the racks and holders, paying attention to areas where food particles tend to accumulate.
Baking Soda Paste: For stubborn grime, apply a 2:1 ratio (2 parts baking soda to 1 part water) paste to the soiled areas and let it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
Rinse and Dry: Rinse the racks and holders thoroughly with clean water and let them air dry completely before placing them back in the dishwasher.

Door Gasket:

The door gasket can trap food particles and moisture, potentially leading to mold growth and odors.

Wipe Regularly: Wipe down the door gasket with a damp cloth before running each dishwasher cycle to remove any food debris.
Clean with Vinegar (Monthly): Once a month, dip a toothbrush in white vinegar and scrub the gasket to remove any built-up grime or mold. Use a cup or spray bottle to rinse the area with clean water and dry thoroughly with a paper towel.

Exterior Cleaning

A clean and shiny dishwasher exterior elevates the look of your kitchen. Following a few simple steps, allows your appliance to shine.