How to Clean a Dishwasher

How to Clean a Dishwasher Monthly

Following this simple procedure on a monthly basis should keep your dishwasher functioning effectively and might eliminate the need for more aggressive cleaning.

1. Remove Rack and Clean Strainer

   Pull out the bottom rack, and examine the drainage strainer on the bottom of the dishwasher's interior. Remove any food, paper labels, or small items that might be clogging the holes. Use a soft-bristle brush dipped in vinegar to scrub away anything that is really stuck. Replace the bottom rack.

2. Run Cycle With Vinegar

   Fill a glass or plastic container with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, and place the open container on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run a regular wash cycle. You can skip the drying cycle to save energy costs.

3. Rinse With Baking Soda

   When the first cycle is finished, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda on the inside floor of the dishwasher. Run a short hot water rinse cycle (skip the drying cycle), and then open the dishwasher door to allow the interior to air dry. The vinegar will strip away any grease buildup, and the baking soda will remove lingering odors.
   

   Warning

   Never mix the vinegar and baking soda in the same cleaning cycle. They'll start to foam, and you'll have quite a mess to clean up.

How to Thoroughly Clean a Dishwasher

It is particularly important to do a thorough cleaning if you begin to notice problems with dirty dishes or spotted glassware after running a cycle. You might need to do a thorough cleaning more often if you live in an area with excessively hard water.

1. Clean Spray Arms

   Start with an empty dishwasher. If possible, remove both the upper and lower racks to have better access to the water spray arms.

   Each spray arm has small holes that distribute water throughout the dishwasher, and these holes can become clogged with minerals from hard water or even bits of food. If the holes are clogged, the water might not be reaching the surfaces of your dishes and leaving them soiled.

   Take your flexible wire, and insert its tip into each hole to remove any debris.

2. Remove and Clean the Strainer

   Inspect the strainer on the drain at the bottom of the dishwasher. If possible, remove the strainer. (You might be shocked at the gunk that is trapped underneath.)

   Dip an old toothbrush in some vinegar, and give every nook and cranny a good scrub.

3. Scrub the Utensil Holder and Detergent Dispenser

   Use your old toothbrush to remove any debris that might be caught in the grid of the utensil holder. Also, scrub any buildup in the detergent dispenser.

4. Clean the Rubber Seals

   Dip a clean sponge in white vinegar, and wipe down the rubber seals around the interior opening and the edges of the door.

5. Run a Cycle With Vinegar

   Replace the racks, and put 2 cups of distilled white vinegar in an open container on the top rack. Run a regular hot water wash cycle to complete the cleaning. 

How to Clean the Outside of a Dishwasher

How you clean the outside of your dishwasher depends on its style and finish, but there are general steps that almost everyone can do.

1. Clean the Control Buttons

   If the dishwasher has buttons or dials on the front or top of the door, take time to clean around them. Use an old toothbrush dipped in water and a bit of dish soap to remove any buildup.

2. Clean and Rinse the Door

   If the exterior of the dishwasher door is made of plastic or painted metal, use mild dish soap and a microfiber cloth or sponge to remove any splatters on the face and handle. Finish by rinsing with a cloth dipped in plain water, and buff dry with a dry cloth.

3. Variation for Stainless Steel

   For a stainless steel door, it is best to use a stainless steel cleaning product and a microfiber cloth. Follow the product instructions, and always wipe in one direction—in the same direction as the grain of the metal.

   Another option is to wipe the front of the dishwasher with a solution of mild dish soap mixed with water, followed by a drop of olive oil or baby oil on a microfiber cloth to remove any streaks.

Tips to Keep a Dishwasher Clean Longer

• Stick to a regular dishwasher cleaning schedule. Or at the very least, do a cleaning as soon as you notice debris in the dishwasher and/or that your dishes aren't getting clean.
• Rinse food waste off dishes prior to loading them in the dishwasher.
• Make sure no food stickers or other materials that won't easily dissolve go into the dishwasher.
• Avoid overloading a dishwasher, so the water can easily circulate.