A dishwasher can look clean while quietly collecting grease, food scraps, and mineral scale where you can’t easily see them. If your glasses smell odd, dishes come out cloudy, or water pools at the bottom, a careful clean may be all it needs. The good news: you usually don’t need special tools or a complicated routine. A few simple steps can freshen the machine and help it wash well again.
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Why You Should Clean Your Dishwasher
Your dishwasher cleans dishes, but it doesn’t clean itself completely. Tiny food particles can get caught in the filter, grease can cling to the walls, and soap residue can build up around the door and dispenser. In areas with hard water, minerals may also leave a chalky film on the interior or spray arms.
These deposits can block water flow or stop detergent from dissolving properly. That can leave food on plates, cloudy marks on glasses, or a musty smell inside the tub. Regular cleaning helps prevent those problems and gives you a chance to spot small issues—such as a clogged filter—before they affect every load.
Cleaning won’t fix every dishwasher problem. If water won’t drain, the machine leaks, or dishes stay dirty after you’ve checked the filter and spray arms, the issue may need troubleshooting or a repair. But for everyday buildup, a basic clean is a good place to start.
What You’ll Need
Gather a few supplies before you begin. Check your owner’s manual, too, because some manufacturers give specific cleaning instructions or warn against certain products.
- A soft cloth or sponge
- A small, soft brush or an old toothbrush
- Warm water and mild dish soap for hand-cleaning removable parts
- A dishwasher-safe bowl, if using a machine-cleaning product that calls for one
- A dishwasher cleaner or descaler approved for your model, if needed
Avoid abrasive scouring pads, harsh household cleaners, and regular dish soap inside the machine. Dish soap makes a lot of foam and can spill suds onto your floor. Also, never mix cleaning products. In particular, bleach must never be mixed with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaners, because dangerous gases can form.
How to Clean a Dishwasher Step by Step
1. Empty the dishwasher and check the bottom
Take out the dishes and look across the tub floor. Remove any visible scraps, labels, bits of glass, or other debris you can safely reach. Wear gloves if you suspect there may be sharp pieces, and don’t put your hand into an area you can’t see clearly.
Some water in the sump—the low area beneath the filter—can be normal. A large pool of standing water may point to a drainage problem rather than a cleaning issue. Don’t try to scoop around blindly; check your manual for access instructions.
2. Remove and wash the filter
The filter catches food particles so they don’t keep circulating through the machine. On many dishwashers, it sits at the bottom of the tub and twists or lifts out, but designs vary. Follow the manual rather than forcing it, since a filter can break if it’s turned the wrong way.
Rinse the filter under warm running water. Use a soft brush to loosen greasy residue from the mesh and crevices, then rinse it again. If the manual allows it, you can use a little mild dish soap. Avoid wire brushes or rough pads, which may damage the filter surface.
Check the opening beneath the filter for loose debris you can see and reach safely. Then reinstall the filter exactly as directed. A filter that isn’t locked in place may let food particles recirculate or interfere with the wash system.
3. Clean the spray arms
Spray arms send water around the dishwasher through small holes called jets. If food or mineral deposits block those holes, water may not reach dishes evenly. That’s one reason a plate on the top rack can come out dirty even when the rest of the load looks fine.
Look for visible debris in the spray-arm openings. Wipe the arms with a damp cloth, and use a soft brush to clean around the jets. If the manual says the arms are removable, take them off carefully and rinse them. Don’t poke metal tools deep into the holes; they can damage the jets or push debris farther inside.
Before running the next load, spin each arm by hand. It should move freely and shouldn’t hit a tall plate, pan, or utensil. Rearranging a crowded load can sometimes solve a washing problem that looks like a machine fault.
4. Wipe the door, edges, and seals
The door seal and the narrow edges around the tub don’t always get rinsed by the spray arms. Grease, crumbs, and soap film can collect there, especially near the bottom corners. Wipe these areas with a soft, damp cloth.
For stubborn grime, use a soft brush with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap. Wipe away the soap afterward with a clean, damp cloth. Don’t pull or stretch the gasket, and avoid soaking it with a strong cleaner. A damaged or poorly seated seal can lead to leaks.
5. Clean the detergent dispenser and interior surfaces
Check the detergent cup for caked powder or sticky residue. Wipe it with a damp cloth so the lid can open and close freely. If detergent has hardened inside the cup, soften it with warm water rather than scraping with a sharp tool.
Wipe the inside walls and the underside of the door with a soft cloth. Pay attention to corners and the area around the detergent dispenser. If you see a small stain, clean that spot gently first; there’s no need to scrub the whole tub with a rough pad.
6. Run an empty cleaning cycle when needed
For grease, odor, or mineral buildup, run an empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaner made for the purpose. Follow the product label and your dishwasher manual, since the right cycle and placement can vary. Some products sit in the detergent cup; others go in a container on the rack.
If your machine has a self-clean or machine-care cycle, use it as directed. Otherwise, choose a suitable hot cycle if the cleaner’s instructions recommend one. Don’t add detergent unless the product directions say to do so.
People sometimes use vinegar as a home remedy, but it isn’t right for every dishwasher or every routine. Its acidity may affect some rubber parts or finishes over time, and manufacturers may advise against it. Check your manual first. A dishwasher-safe cleaner or descaler is the more reliable choice when you’re dealing with scale or persistent odor.
7. Clean the exterior
Wipe the control panel and handle with a soft cloth. For a stainless-steel front, use a product approved for that finish and wipe in the direction of the grain. Don’t spray cleaner directly onto buttons, screens, or openings; spray it onto the cloth instead.
Use only products suitable for your dishwasher’s exterior. A cleaner that’s safe for the tub may not be safe for stainless steel, painted surfaces, or plastic trim.
How Often Should You Clean a Dishwasher?
The right schedule depends on how often you run the machine, what you wash, and how hard your water is. A family running a dishwasher every day may need to check the filter more often than someone who uses it a few times a week.
| Part or task | Helpful starting schedule | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Check and rinse the filter | About once a month, or more often if you see food buildup | Keeps trapped scraps from causing odors or returning to dishes |
| Wipe the door seal and edges | About once a month | Removes grime from areas that may not get rinsed well |
| Inspect spray-arm openings | Every month or when washing performance drops | Helps water reach dishes evenly |
| Run a machine-cleaning cycle | Every month or as the cleaner and manual recommend | Targets residue and scale inside the tub and water system |
Use this as a starting point, not a strict rule. If you scrape plates well and your water is soft, the machine may need less attention. If you often wash greasy cookware or live with hard water, you may need to clean the filter and address mineral buildup more frequently.
How to Keep Your Dishwasher Cleaner Between Deep Cleans
- Scrape off large food scraps. You don’t usually need to pre-rinse every plate, but big pieces can fill the filter quickly.
- Load dishes so water can move. Don’t block the spray arms or crowd items together. Water needs a clear path around each dish.
- Use the right detergent amount. More detergent isn’t always better. Too much can leave residue, while too little may not clean well. Follow the package and manual.
- Use rinse aid if your manual recommends it. Rinse aid helps water drain off dishes, which can reduce spots and improve drying.
- Leave the door slightly open after a cycle if practical. Letting moisture escape can help the tub dry and discourage musty smells. Follow any safety guidance for your household, especially if children or pets are around.
- Use a water-softening setting if your model has one. Hard water can leave mineral deposits. The manual can explain whether your dishwasher needs dishwasher salt or a particular setting.
Common Dishwasher-Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use bleach without checking the manual. Bleach can damage stainless-steel interiors and some components, and it must never be mixed with other cleaners. If mold or a persistent smell is the concern, follow the manufacturer’s guidance instead of pouring bleach into the machine.
Don’t put regular dish soap in the detergent dispenser. It can create an excessive amount of foam. If that happens, stop the cycle if it’s safe to do so and follow your manual’s instructions for clearing the suds.
Don’t force removable parts. Filters and spray arms can have model-specific locks. If a part doesn’t move easily, check the instructions before applying force.
Don’t ignore recurring problems. If the dishwasher smells bad again right after cleaning, water remains at the bottom, or dishes repeatedly come out dirty, check the manual’s troubleshooting section. A blocked drain hose, faulty component, or plumbing issue may need attention.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I clean my dishwasher with vinegar?
Some people use vinegar, but it isn’t suitable for every model or every part. Check your owner’s manual before using it; a dishwasher cleaner approved for your machine is a safer choice when the manufacturer recommends one.
How do I get rid of a bad smell in my dishwasher?
Start by cleaning the filter, wiping the door seal and edges, and removing visible food scraps. If the smell remains, run an empty machine-cleaning cycle as directed. A smell that quickly returns may signal a drainage or plumbing problem.
Should I clean the dishwasher filter after every load?
Usually, no. Check it regularly and clean it when you see food or grease buildup. If you wash heavily soiled dishes often, inspect it more frequently so debris doesn’t collect unnoticed.
Can I run the dishwasher empty to clean it?
Yes, if you’re running a cleaning cycle or using a dishwasher cleaner according to its directions. An empty hot cycle by itself may rinse away some loose residue, but it may not remove grease or mineral scale as effectively as a suitable cleaner.
Conclusion
A clean dishwasher starts with the parts that catch or direct water: the filter, spray arms, seals, and detergent dispenser. Rinse the filter, clear visible buildup gently, and use a machine cleaner only when it’s suitable for your model. A little regular care can reduce odors, improve washing, and help you spot problems before they become bigger repairs.
