Dishwasher Cleaning Tips

Washing your dishwasher? Doesn't that sound kind of like overkill? After all, doesn't the dishwasher wash itself every time you run a load of dirty dishes?

As the old song says, "It ain't necessarily so!" Dishwashers need regular routine cleaning just like every large, frequently used appliance in your home.

We don't always take the time to scrape and rinse food from plates and bowls before putting them into the dishwasher. Tiny bits of food, grease and soap scum cling together and are deposited in corners of the dishwasher and in crevices around the door. After a time, they can accumulate significantly and become a problem with appearance and odor. This is really quite logical when you think about it. Notwithstanding the fact that dishwasher soaps have some germ killing properties along with degreasers, any environment which is frequently warm, moist and dark is a breeding ground for many forms of bacteria.

A routine dishwasher cleaning is a good habit and should be included with the routine deep cleaning of your home. After you get the hang of it, you can clean your dishwasher quickly and easily.

To keep the appliance working well and odor-free, clean it every 1 to 2 months.

NOTE: Do not use bleach in a dishwasher with a stainless steel interior or stainless steel parts.

How Cleaning a Dishwasher With Vinegar and Baking Soda Works

A natural cleaner with many talents, white vinegar takes care of two big problems that often plague dishwashers: clogs and smells. Count on it to cut through grease lining the walls of the dishwasher after endless loads of dirty dishes, clear away old detergent buildup, and even dissolve mineral deposits—all of which could one day clog the plumbing and cause your appliance to underperform. The fact that white vinegar neutralizes food odors so your dishwasher won’t smell is a bonus.

Like vinegar, baking soda is great at tackling odors, but it also has stain-fighting abilities. Because it’s lightly abrasive, baking soda is effective at loosening stains and built-up grime. When you clean your dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda, you’re aiming a powerful one-two punch at the food deposits, grease, and odors that accumulate in your dishwasher over time.

How to Clean Your Dishwasher And Remove Odor

STEP 1: Access and clear the dishwasher drain.

  1. Pull out and remove the bottom rack. Wearing rubber gloves, thoroughly examine the area around the drain, and remove any gunk or chunks you find. (This debris not only impedes drainage, it also can damage the appliance.) While you’re at it, if your dishwasher has a removable filter, take it out and clean it. Run it under warm soapy water, and if necessary scrub lightly with a sponge or an old toothbrush. Clean the area around the filter before you replace it.

STEP 2: Clean the rubber seals and in cracks and crevices

  1. Using a small brush (old toothbrushes work well) dipped in hot soapy water, go around the door of the dishwasher taking care to get into the grooves and crevices of the rubber seal. Most likely, you'll be surprised at the debris that has built up, especially at the bottom of the door and around the hinges on the side.
  2. Scrub well. You may need to use a soft abrasive cleanser, such as Soft Scrub® to remove the dried and baked on grime.
  3. Using a household sponge dipped in hot soapy water, wipe off the dirt and grime that you stirred up with the brush. Go over the inside of the door and scrub any obvious areas inside the dishwasher that may have stuck-on food, such as out of reach corners.
  4. Using a clean wet sponge or dishrag, wipe the cleaning solution from the gasket and the door.

STEP 3: Run a cycle with a cup of vinegar

  1. Place a dishwasher-safe cup filled with plain white vinegar on the top rack of the otherwise empty dishwasher.
  2. Using the hottest water available - use the "sanitize" setting if you have it - and run the dishwasher through a cycle. Except for the cup of vinegar, the dishwasher needs to be empty.
  3. The vinegar will help to wash away the loose, greasy grime, sanitizes, and helps remove the musty odor.
  4. If you don't have any white vinegar, you may substitute a packet of unsweetened lemonade mix in the soap cup. Don't experiment with other flavors as they may stain the inside of your dishwasher.

STEP 4: Complete a short rinse cycle with baking soda.

Don’t try to skip a step and place the baking soda and vinegar in your dishwasher together; you might end up with a mess.

  1. Sprinkle a cupful of baking soda across the bottom of the appliance, then run it on a short hot-water cycle. Whatever food smells weren’t wiped out with vinegar will be absorbed by the baking soda, the same way they are when you place a box of Arm & Hammer in the fridge.
  2. Baking soda is also helpful in removing stains.