Keeping your dishwasher clean is essential for ensuring spotless dishes and extending the life of your appliance. With regular use, dishwashers can accumulate dirt, food debris, soap scum, mold, and hard water stains. Properly cleaning your dishwasher removes these buildups and helps your appliance function at peak performance.
Follow this comprehensive guide for tips and step-by-step instructions on how to deeply clean both the interior and exterior of your dishwasher. With some basic supplies and a little time invested, you can have your dishwasher looking and working like new again.
Why it’s Important to Clean Your Dishwasher Regularly
Cleaning your dishwasher regularly, such as every few months provides several key benefits:
- Removes grease, food particles, and limescale – These buildups can lead to dirty dishes and foul odors if allowed to accumulate. Regular cleaning keeps your dishwasher fresh.
- Disinfects – Washing away bacteria that can thrive in moist environments helps sanitize your dishwasher.
- Unclogs – Clearing debris from the filter, drain, and spray arms optimizes water flow.
- Improves performance – Your dishwasher will function better when free of grease and buildup. Dishes come out cleaner.
- Extends dishwasher’s lifespan – Regular upkeep and maintenance prevent costly repairs down the road.
- Saves energy – A clean dishwasher requires less energy to run properly. Removing limescale on heating elements increases efficiency.
Supplies You’ll Need
Gather the following supplies before cleaning your dishwasher:
- White vinegar or dishwasher cleaning solution
- Baking soda
- Non-sudsing dish soap (optional)
- An old toothbrush or dish brush
- Small buckets or cups
- Microfiber cloths
- Rubber gloves (optional)
- Eye protection (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Dishwasher
With your supplies ready, follow these steps for a complete dishwasher cleaning from top to bottom:
1. Remove Debris from the Bottom
- Start by removing the bottom rack first to access the bottom of your dishwasher.
- Use a cup or small bucket to scoop out any water or debris.
- Wipe the bottom surface with a microfiber cloth or sponge. Pay special attention to the drain area.
2. Clean and Inspect the Spray Arms
- Check that the spray arms spin freely. If not, gently bend them to loosen.
- Use an old toothbrush and warm soapy water to scrub away any dirt, food, or hard water deposits.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove any lingering debris.
3. Clean the Door
- Spray vinegar onto the rubber door seal and let sit for 5 minutes. This helps remove mold and mildew.
- Use a toothbrush or dishbrush to scrub the door seal.
- For the exterior door surface, use a microfiber cloth and warm soapy water to wipe away food splatters or grime.
4. Clean the Filters
- Remove the filter assembly located on the bottom of your dishwasher.
- Rinse under warm water and use a toothbrush to clear away debris trapped in the tiny openings.
- Leave out the filter to fully air dry before reattaching.
5. Degrease the Interior Tub
- Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the bottom of the empty dishwasher tub.
- Fill a measuring cup with white vinegar and place it on the bottom rack, facing up.
- Run a hot wash cycle with the dishwasher empty. This allows the vinegar and baking soda to bubble and lift away grease.
6. Freshen with Vinegar Rinse
- Fill a cup with plain white vinegar and place on the top rack of your empty dishwasher.
- Run the dishwasher on the heaviest cycle with no detergent.
- The vinegar will act as a natural rinse to eliminate odors and remove soap scum.
7. Clean Exterior Surfaces
- With a damp microfiber cloth, wipe down the outside surfaces of your dishwasher. Pay attention to the handle and control panel.
- Be careful not to let any moisture drip into door crevices or controls.
- Dry surfaces thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.
And that’s it! With these thorough cleaning tips, your dishwasher will look, smell, and work like new. Be sure to repeat this deep cleaning every few months for optimal results.
5 Dishwasher Cleaning FAQs
Still, have questions about getting your dishwasher sparkling clean? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What is the best way to clean the dishwasher drain?
Use a small brush or flexible cleaning wand to remove food debris from the drain opening. For deeper cleaning, remove the drain filter and thoroughly rinse under warm water.
How do I remove hard water stains from my dishwasher?
Fill a dishwasher-safe cup with white vinegar and run a hot cycle to dissolve mineral deposits. For stubborn stains, try a dishwasher cleaner made specifically for limescale removal.
What is the white film inside my dishwasher?
White residue is typically hard water scale or mineral deposits from your water supply. Clean with vinegar or a descaling solution made for dishwashers.
How do I eliminate odors inside my dishwasher?
Run a vinegar rinse cycle with a cup of vinegar placed on the top rack. Baking soda on an empty wash cycle can also help remove grease and odors.
How often should I clean my dishwasher filter?
Check and clean your dishwasher filter every 2-3 months. Remove and rinse under warm water. Ensure it is fully dry before placing it back in the machine.
Conclusion
Keeping your dishwasher clean doesn’t need to be a daunting task. With regular light wipe-downs after use and periodic deep cleaning every few months, you can keep your dishwasher looking and smelling fresh. Refer to this guide for handy tips and step-by-step instructions to thoroughly clean both the interior and exterior of your dishwasher. Making dishwasher cleaning a part of your regular household routine pays off with optimized performance and sparkling clean dishes every time.
