How to Clean a Dishwasher Thoroughly and Keep It Running

It might seem odd to clean your dishwasher—after all, it fills with soapy suds nearly every day, so you’d think any lingering messes would wash away as it drains. However, just as you’d clean your cleaning tools like your vacuum, cleaning your dishwasher is also important to fit into your schedule. Here’s how to clean your dishwasher to keep it working efficiently, load after load. 

Why It’s Important to Regularly Clean Your Dishwasher

Without regular cleaning, your dishwasher can become clogged with bits of food and mineral deposits, leaving it looking grimy, smelling bad, and performing slowly. By deep cleaning your dishwasher every few weeks, you can avoid common problems, such as a dishwasher that won't drain. Plus, allowing the residue to build up too much could result in extra dishwasher repair costs that far outweigh the supplies it takes to clean it.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher?

Cleaning your dishwasher once a month will help keep it running efficiently. You can minimize the need for cleanup by rinsing off leftover food remnants on your dishes before you load them in. While you don’t need to completely clean every item before you place it in the dishwasher, scraping off any stuck-on bits of cheese or rinsing off the last of the hummus on your plate is a good idea.

How to Clean a Dishwasher

To clean your dishwasher, all you need is a combination of vinegar and baking soda, as well as some soap. This combo will help descale hard water buildup in the dishwasher, blast through gunk, and deodorize any foul smells. It’s recommended that most of the below steps are done at least monthly as part of your regular kitchen cleaning process. Here’s how to clean dishwasher parts and get the interior fresh and spotless.

Clean Inside the Dishwasher 

1. Empty out the dishwasher’s contents.

2. Fill a dishwasher-safe bowl with 1 cup of vinegar.

3. Place the bowl on the bottom rack of the dishwasher.

4. Run a hot water cycle.

5. Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher.

6. Run a short rinse cycle.

Clean the Dishwasher Door 

1. Dip a clean cloth in warm, soapy water.

2. Wipe down the interior surface of the door.

3. Wipe the gaskets clean (if necessary, use vinegar for extra cleaning power).

4. Give it a good rinse or once over with a wet cloth to wipe any soap away.

Clean the Dishwasher Filter 

1. Put on rubber gloves.

2. Pull out the bottom rack and gently lift it to remove it.

3. Remove the filter.

4. Clean the dishwasher filter by running it under warm water to rinse away residue.

5. If necessary, use an old toothbrush to scrub out any leftover bits.

Clean the Drain 

1. Manually remove chunks of food or materials that could cause clogging. 

2. Microwave 1 cup of white vinegar for 10 to 20 seconds.

3. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda. 

4. Pour the mixture into the bottom of the dishwasher and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Run a short rinse cycle to clean and drain the dishwasher.

Clean Dishwasher Parts 

1. Place all parts in a sink filled with warm water and dish soap.

2. Let them soak for 15 to 30 minutes.

3. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the parts clean.

4. Rinse the parts well and place them back into the dishwasher.

Clean the Outside of the Dishwasher

Once the inside of your dishwasher is sparkling, clean the exterior using a cleaning solution and a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel. For plastic exteriors, hot water mixed with soap works perfectly. For stainless steel, a solution of one part vinegar and three parts water usually works best. You can also use shaving cream to get your stainless steel clean and polished, but a store-bought stainless steel cleaner works well, too.

Tips for Keeping Your Dishwasher Clean Longer 

• Rinse dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.

• Avoid overfilling the dishwasher.

• Consider investing in a water softener to reduce limescale buildup.

• Run your garbage disposal to clear the drain before starting a dishwasher cycle.

• Add cleaning the dishwasher to your monthly household cleaning checklist to keep gunk and mineral deposits at bay.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Clean Your Dishwasher

If you have trouble keeping up with cleaning your dishwasher, you can also hire a professional cleaning service to tackle this task for you. Most house cleaning pros charge $30 to $50 per hour, and you can also add other cleaning services to their list while you’re at it.