How to Clean a Dishwasher | And How Often???

Wondering how to clean a dishwasher? This is your stop! This simple 3 step method will have your dishwasher working and smelling fresh as new! This post contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to make a purchase using my links, I receive a small commission at no cost to you.

If you are renter, you should be cleaning your dishwasher before you put a dish in it! You have no clue the last time it has been cleaned. And to be honest, most people, renter or home owner, have no idea that you should be cleaning your dishwasher. They wait until there is a smell looming around the kitchen to even start worrying about cleaning it.

In this post, I will share with you how often you should be cleaning your dishwasher, why you should be cleaning your dishwasher, and how to do so. It is very simple and only takes a few minutes a month!

This post is all about how to clean a dishwasher.

How often should you clean your dishwasher???

The short answer is once a month.

Why you should clean your dishwasher

Your dishwasher is a kitchen work horse. It cleans the dishes you eat on. It can only get the dishes as clean as it is itself, if that makes any sense. If you struggle with a grimy or gritty film on your dishes, small food particles stuck on them, or a rancid smell in the dishwasher or on your dishes, then you need to clean it. Keeping up with a monthly cleaning routine will prevent these things from happening. It also preserves the life of your dishwasher.

Step one: Cleaning the dishwasher filter

Once a month, you need to pull the dishwasher filter out and give it a good scrub. If this has never been done, I recommend filling the sink with water and some dish soap and letting the filter soak for a bit. But for monthly maintenance, scrubbing it with soapy water is fine.

TIP: IF YOU HAVE AN OLDER MODEL DISHWASHER, THEY HAVE SELF CLEANING FILTERS THAT WORK SIMILAR TO GARBAGE DISPOSALS. SO YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REMOVE IT TO CLEAN IT. JUST MOVE TO STEP TWO IF THIS IS THE CASE. NEWER MODELS SWITCHED TO MANUAL CLEANING FILTERS BECAUSE THEY CUT DOWN ON HOW LOUD THE DISHWASHERS ARE WHEN THEY RUN.

Where is the filter located you ask??? The filter can be found on the dishwasher floor. Pull out the bottom rack for easier access. It is usually under the sprayer blade. You can turn it a bit and it will un click so you can pull it out. Likely, there will be some sludge on it, GROSS! There may be another piece inside the filter that says to twist it to unlock that. It will pop out.

how to clean a dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda

tip: You’ll notice some sitting water in the filter area when you remove the filter. This is normal. It Prevents the seals from drying up. Don’t worry: This water drains when the cycle starts and gets replaced with fresh water at the end of each cycle.

Now you can clean both pieces. Using a washcloth or sponge is fine. If you need to get in there with more detail to get it clean, a cleaning toothbrush works great. Once you’re done scrubbing, put them back together and replace them in the dishwasher making sure to lock the filter back in place.

I bummed my sister’s dishwasher to pull a filter out for you. Her dishwasher is new (4 months old) and even her’s had sludge to clean (yes, developing sludge is normal). It just goes to show, this needs to be done monthly, even on new appliances, if you want to keep them performing well.

Step two: How to clean a dishwasher inside

Now you need to clean the inside of the dishwasher. This is VERY simple to do. There are two options here: Buy a dishwasher cleaner, which is my preferred method. Or you can use vinegar if you prefer not use chemicals or purchase anything else. This is not my preferred method because vinegar is an acid and with time it can damage your dishwasher, especially the gaskets and hoses.

Method one: Buy a dishwasher cleaner:

The dishwasher cleaner I used for a few years is Finish Dual Action Dishwasher Cleaner. (See a link below to my new favorite dishwasher cleaner.) It is very effective and I like the smell, personally. But it is a bit chemically smelling. If you have an older model this cleans the filter for you as well. On my dishwasher, there is a sticker even recommending this specific cleaner. I have also tried Lemi Shine dishwasher cleaner and I wasn’t a fan. It didn’t have a smell to me at all. I prefer to have a scent so I know it is clean. All you do to use the Finish cleaner is:

start with an empty dishwasher
remove the seal on the cleaner, you’ll see a wax plug there.
place the cleaner upside down on the bottom rack
run the dishwasher on a high temperate setting

Below is my updated favorite dishwasher cleaner. It smells less like chemicals and more like clean. Plus I use Cascade dishwasher pods as well, so I figured I would give their cleaner a try. It is easy to use, just pop the cleaner pod in like any pod and run the dishwasher empty once a month:

Method two: Vinegar

Disclaimer: As stated above, I do not recommend this method as vinegar is an acid and with time this can damage your dishwasher, especially the gaskets and hoses. But if you still prefer to use a non chemical method follow the steps below:

start with an empty dishwasher
fill a dishwasher safe bowl with white vinegar and place it on the top rack of the dishwasher
run the dishwasher on a high temperature setting

This is sufficient for cleaning the build up and grime from the inside of the dishwasher. If you wish to freshen the smell as well, add on the following step:

Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and run it on another high temperature wash. This will freshen the dishwasher getting rid of any unpleasant smells.

Step three: Clean the outside of the dishwasher

I like to wipe down the outside of the dishwasher as needed as well as the edges of the door and the seal. But once a month, shining up the outside with a stainless steel cleaner will give it a good facelift. I like to use the E-Cloth Stainless Steel Cloths. Then you don’t need another product and it’s a one time cost. I will link to the cloths below. Also, I will link to a good stainless steel cleaner if you prefer to use that.

tip: Use a pot and pan brush to clean in the little CREVICES of your dishwasher.

This was my 3 step method on how to clean a dishwasher

I hope you found this to be informative. I know there are numerous people who never realized you need to clean your dishwasher. Follow this 3 step method to prevent repairs and keep your dishwasher functioning at it’s full potential. Happy cleaning!