How to Clean a Dishwasher

Your dishwasher is probably one of the most worked appliances in your kitchen. It washes your glasses, plates, and cutlery to a dazzling high level with very little effort on your part. Grease, limescale, and foods can build up inside it over time, however, leaving dishes not as clean as they can be along with an unpleasant odour.


Dishwasher cleaning periodically ensures your dishwasher works efficiently, uses less power, and lasts longer. Below is a simple step-by-step guide on how to clean your dishwasher and keep it in perfect condition throughout the year.


Why Cleaning Your Dishwasher is Important

Even as a cleaning machine, your dishwasher doesn’t clean itself. Pieces of food, grease, and soap residue are accumulated in the filter, spray arms, and seals. This can cause problems over time:

• Unpleasant smells in the dishwasher
• Dirty or cloudy dishes after cleaning
• Poor draining or clogs
• Extra stress on the motor, reducing its life

By washing it every month, you will be preventing these issues and maintaining your dishwasher performing better — conserving energy and money.


What You’ll Need

You won’t need any special cleaners to wash your dishwasher. The chances are that everything you need is already in your kitchen.

You’ll require:

• White vinegar or dishwasher cleaner
• Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
• Soapy warm water
• A soft cloth or sponge
• An old toothbrush
• A small bowl

All these easy-to-use tools will remove grime, eliminate odours, and leave your dishwasher clean and sparkling.

Step 1: Empty the Dishwasher

Begin with a freshly empty dishwasher. Remove all trays, cutlery holders, and dishes. This provides the best access to inside and makes cleaning every section easier.

If your racks are removable, pull them out and put them aside. Clean them later using warm soapy water.


Step 2: Clean the Filter

The filter catches excess food and debris. It’s one of the first places that smell or low drainage if not cleaned regularly.


1. Find the filter at the bottom of your dishwasher.

2. Twist it off and remove it (most filters can be unscrewed relatively easily).

3. Rinse under warm water.

4. Brush with an old toothbrush to clean grease or small food particles.

5. Clean the area where the filter is before putting it back in place.


Regular cleaning of the filters facilitates proper draining of water and wash cycle with ease.


Step 3: Clean the Door Seal

The rubber door gasket retains moisture, grease, and food. It is prone to easily developing mould or odour if not cleaned.

Mix warm soapy water or water and diluted vinegar. Soak your cloth in the mixture and wipe carefully around the seal and edges. A toothbrush can be applied in blocked places or corners.

Dry the seal with a new towel afterwards. This stops the mould formation if left to dry in between cleaning.


Step 4: Clean the Spray Arms

1. Spray arms are the ones that distribute water around your dishwasher. If limescale or food particles clog holes, your plates will not be sparkling.

2. Remove the spray arms if your model has them (see your manual).

3. Soak in hot water.

4. Use a toothpick or cocktail stick to scrape out blocked-up holes.

5. Rinse and replace securely.

Free-flowing spray arms allow water to flow freely, leading to more effective cleaning and lower energy usage.


Step 5: Vinegar Cycle

1. Clean the interior of the machine. White vinegar is such a good grease and limescale breaker.

2. Place a cup of white vinegar in a saucer on the top shelf.

3. Run a hot cycle with nothing in and no detergent.

4. The vinegar will break down residue and neutralise odours. Leave it when it has completed and just leave the door open and let the interior dry out.


Step 6: Do a Bicarbonate of Soda Cycle

As an added freshness, repeat the vinegar cycle with bicarbonate of soda.

1. Sprinkle a cup of bicarbonate at the bottom of the dishwasher.

2. Quick hot cycle.

This step removes any remaining odours and whitens the interior of the machine, making it shiny, fresh and clean.


Step 7: Clean the Exterior

Your dishwasher exterior also requires some TLC. Water spots and fingerprints can make it lose its shine.

Clean the door and control panel with a warm, damp, soapy cloth. Don’t use strong cleaners and abrasives, which can ruin the finish.

In the event that your dishwasher comes with a stainless-steel finish, it is cleanable with a gentle stainless-steel cleaner or a solution of vinegar and water for a flawless shine.


Step 8: Keep It Fresh Between Cleans

A handful of small habits will make your dishwasher cleaner longer:

• Scrape off food from plates before loading.
• Weekly filter clean-up to avoid buildup of clutter.
• Leave the door slightly open after a cycle to dry out moisture and odours.


Do an occasional hot cycle even if you use warm temperatures on a daily basis.

Maintenance in regular intervals ensures your dishwasher is in prime working condition and avoids more significant problems in the long term.


Most Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with routine cleaning routine, there are certain common mistakes that could cause problems:

• Too much detergent: It leaves behind residue and water spots on the glass.
• Failure to clean around the filter: It is the greatest cause of drainage failure.
• Failure to clean the seal: Mould will develop very quickly if water is retained.
• Bleach or abrasives: They destroy interior parts.

Employ gentle, natural cleaning methods — they’re secure, effective, and endearing to your appliance.


When to Seek Assistance

If your dishwasher is performing below par, has a lingering smell, or water fails to drain even after a tune-up, professional service could be needed.

A professional engineer can inspect for hidden clogging, pump failure, or replaceable components. Routine cleaning reduces the risk, but wear and tear can still occur after some time.

Keep Your Dishwasher in Working Order with Hometree

A well-maintained dishwasher works better, saves you on utilities and lasts longer. Routine maintenance avoids costly breakdowns and keeps your kitchen running smoothly.

We make home maintenance easy at Hometree. Our appliance cover policies protect you against unexpected repair bills and give you peace of mind should something go amiss.

Learn how our appliance cover policies can keep your dishwasher and other appliances insured year-round — Get a quote now.