How to Clean and Maintain a Dishwasher

Most of us don't think about cleaning the dishwasher very often. After all, if the dishes are getting clean, shouldn't the dishwasher get cleaner, too? Unfortunately, food debris and deposits do build up over time, and it can reduce the performance of the dishwasher. This appliance is one of the most hard-working ones in your home, and you can assist it in its duties by giving it a daily, weekly, and monthly scrub down.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Cleaning Daily and Weekly

1
Wipe out little bits of food every day. Your dishwasher cleans a lot of food off your dishes, and those scraps can get stuck in the bottom of the dishwasher. After each cycle, pull out the bottom rack and wipe a rag along the bottom of the dishwasher to get rid of any food or grime that might be leftover. It might be gross, but it will free up the filter so your dishes can get much cleaner.^{[1]XResearch source}
- These food scraps can build up and clog the filter, making your dishwasher run less efficiently.
2
Clean the inside of the door and the handles every week. Dip a rag into hot, soapy water and use that to wipe off the door, the handles, and the seal around the door at least once a week. This will help avoid food scraps building up in the seal of the door so your dishwasher runs more efficiently, and you can wipe off any sticky fingerprints left by little ones in the home.^{[2]XResearch source}
- You can also wipe off the dishwasher control panel if it looks dirty or grimy.
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3
Rinse the filter off every week. The filter is a small part of the dishwasher, but it plays an important role! Pull the bottom rack out of the dishwasher and unscrew the center cylinder in the bottom of the dishwasher. Lift the filter out and take it apart, then rinse off each piece in the sink. Use a soft-bristled brush for any bits of food that are stuck, then replace the parts and put the filter back in your dishwasher.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceConsumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testingGo to source}
- The filter is what catches food scraps before they get sent down the drain. If too many food scraps build up over time, it can make your dishwasher stinky.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Doing a Deep Clean Once a Month

1
Run a cleaning cycle with 2 c (470 mL) of white vinegar. Clear out your dishwasher and put a bowl of white vinegar upright on the top rack. Run the dishwasher like normal on a hot water cycle without any dishes in it to freshen up your dishwasher and remove any odors.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceConsumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testingGo to source}
- White vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that removes germs and odors without any harsh chemicals, so you can use it to clean your dishwasher without worrying about harsh chemicals.
- You can do this vinegar cleaning cycle once a month, or whenever you notice a smell coming from your appliance.
This is going to be where your dishwasher parts are soaking while you clean up around the walls and base. If you don't have vinegar, you can use a dishwasher cleaning product, lemon juice, or dish soap instead.^{[5]XResearch source}
3
Remove the holders and racks. Take out the 2 shelves of your dishwasher and the utensil holder. If they're small, place them into your vinegar-water sink for cleaning. If they don't fit, wipe them down with a rag damp with the same vinegar solution.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Check for food bits! If any are stuck on, use a toothpick or similar small, sharp tool to pry away at what's been caked on.
4
Clear any debris out of the holes in spinning arms. Look to make sure all the holes are open so that water can run through them freely. If you have this problem, those holes will need to be cleaned in order for your dishwasher to run efficiently. Use fine pointed or needle-nose pliers if you have some; otherwise, try a toothpick. Take care not to scratch anything if you're using a tool with a metal point. Remember to take your time and be careful.^{[7]XResearch source}
- If these holes are very small, bend a fine wire with a tiny hook on one end, then thread the wire through the opening most distal from the center of the arm. Each time you do this, a small amount of debris will come out.
5
Wipe around the edges of the door and around the gasket. This space doesn't get washed during the dishwasher cycle, so food, soap, and water can build up there. Use a damp cloth and the vinegar solution (or a bit of mild spray cleaner). An old toothbrush or other soft, household brush can help get into corners and up under the gasket, too.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Don't forget under the bottom of the door! In some dishwashers, this is a dead spot where water doesn't go, so it can accumulate debris. Wipe this off with your vinegar rag. If anything is caked on, bust out your scrub brush to get the job done.
6
Tackle rust stains with a rust remover. If your water has a lot of iron or rust in it, rust in your dishwasher may be beyond your control. Use a dishwasher-safe rust remover on the stains themselves, but talk to a professional to ask about how they got there in the first place.^{[9]XResearch source}
- You may need to add a water softener to your water supply.
- If the finish is chipping or flaking off the wire baskets in your dishwasher, try a paint-on sealant made just for dishwasher racks. Pull out the racks and check the bottoms, too. If the damage is severe or widespread (not just a few tines but all of them), see if you can replace the entire rack. Online stores sell a wide variety of appliance parts, so your replacement part may be very easy to find.
7
Put all the parts back into your dishwasher. Once the grate, filter, arms, and all the insides have been given their thorough cleaning and the smaller parts have had a chance to soak, place them back in as normal. Make sure each piece is back in its correct position before you run your next load of dishes.^{[10]XResearch source}
- If your dishwasher is clogged, you may need to clean the dishwasher drain.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Cleaning the Exterior

1
Mix baking soda with hot water to make a cleaning solution. In a small bowl, pour 1/4 cup (32 g) with 4 cups (950 mL) of hot water, then stir them together to form a creamy paste. Baking soda is mildly abrasive, so it will help to clean off the door without scratching the exterior.^{[11]XResearch source}
- If you don’t have baking soda, you can also spray a mild surface cleaner directly onto the outside of the door.
2
Wipe the mixture onto the door of the dishwasher. Use a soft cloth to soak up some of the mixture and then wipe down the exterior of your dishwasher. Pay particular attention to the controls and the handle, and don't miss the little ledge between panels; they tend to collect dirt.^{[12]XResearch source}
- If you have a stainless steel dishwasher, use a microfiber towel to avoid scratching the surface as you clean.
3
Clean off the mixture with a soft cloth. Using a clean cloth, wipe off the rest of the mixture. If you need to, dip the cloth in clean water and wipe down your dishwasher again to remove any streaks or lines.^{[13]XResearch source}
- If you have a stainless steel dishwasher, wipe the towel in the direction of the grain.
- You can use deionized water to clean a stainless steel dishwasher. It does not leave streaks.
- Or a mixture of olive and lemon essential oil.
4
Polish the outside of your dishwasher whenever you need to. If your dishwasher is made of stainless steel, it may collect a lot of fingerprints and marks. To get rid of them, wipe some stainless steel polish onto a rag and use a circular motion to buff it into the surface of the dishwasher.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Depending on how often you use your dishwasher, you may have to do this once or twice a week.
- You can use ECOS Stainless Steel Polish.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Maintaining the Dishwasher

1
Run your dishwasher every other day. Running your dishwasher regularly will help to prevent food and other debris from building up, reducing the need to clean it. Occasionally run it empty, too—on the short, water-saving cycle, of course!^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceConsumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testingGo to source}
- Using your dishwasher is actually more water efficient than washing dishes by hand, so you don’t have to feel guilty about using it all the time.
2
Scrape your dishes before you load them. Most newer models of dishwashers don’t require you to pre-rinse your dishes, but you should still scrape off large bits of food scraps before you load them in. This will keep the filter clear and reduce the amount of work your dishwasher has to do to clean your dishes every cycle.^{[16]XTrustworthy SourceConsumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testingGo to source}
- Try scraping your food into a compost pile or your garbage disposal.
3
Run a bit of hot water in your sink before running the dishwasher. You will get cleaner dishes if the water starts out hot. Run the water until what comes out of the tap feels warm to the touch.^{[17]XResearch source}
- You can collect the water you run and use it for watering plants or other purposes.
- Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120ºF (49ºC). ^{[18]XTrustworthy SourceConsumer Products Safety CommissionIndependent U.S. government agency responsible for protecting consumers by developing safety standards and conducting product researchGo to source} Water cooler than this won't be very effective for cleaning, but water hotter than this may scald you.
4
Refill your dishwasher's rinse aid dispenser about once per month. Rinse aid helps to prevent spots on your dishes. Unscrew the round knob in the dishwasher door and pour in rinse aid according to package directions or your dishwasher's manual.^{[19]XTrustworthy SourceConsumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testingGo to source}
- Don't use rinse aid if you have a water softener.
- Solid rinse aids are available. If you forget to refill liquid rinse aid, the solid ones are more visible, so they may help you remember.
- If you prefer, some dishwasher detergents now have built-in rinse aid.
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Question
Can I turn on a dishwasher that hasn't been on in 10 years?
Community Answer
You can try, but it may not work very well.
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How do I clean underneath the dishwasher? Should I turn the electricity to the dishwasher off?
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Don't, it's not worth the potential problems you may cause, unless you have an unusual reason for needing to do so.
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I rarely use my dishwasher as I live alone and just hand wash them. Do I need to run it occasionally to prevent damage from occurring?
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It's probably a good idea, particularly to clean out the filters and any potential bacteria buildup.
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Tips

Wear gloves if you prefer not to touch the cleaner or the debris.
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Always promptly pick up any objects that fall to the bottom of the dishwasher.
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Warnings

Never mix household cleaners, especially bleach, with other cleaners or chemicals.
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If you're not comfortable doing some simple disassembly and reassembly, don't unscrew the stuff in the bottom of the dishwasher. It doesn't need frequent cleaning.
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