How do you clean a dishwasher? Since it’s constantly running with soap and hot water, it’s easy to assume that it cleans itself. But over time, food, grease, soap scum, and hard water minerals all cause buildup. This prevents your dishwasher from doing its job…and it’s not a pleasant odor, either. 

But where do you start? Let’s look at a step-by-step guide to cleaning your dishwasher.

Step 1: Clear the drain and filter

  1. Remove the bottom rack to access the floor of the dishwasher.
  2. Check the drain area. Remove any trapped food debris, bones, or large pieces.
  3. Find the filter (usually found under the bottom spray arm). Most twist out.
  4. Take the filter to the sink and rinse it thoroughly under warm running water. Use an old toothbrush or scrub brush to gently clean out any trapped grease or stubborn particles, then lock it back into place.

Step 2: Run a vinegar cycle

  1. Keep the dishwasher completely empty.
  2. Place a bowl filled with one cup of white vinegar on the top rack.
  3. Run a normal cycle using the hottest water setting. Do not add dishwasher detergent. The vinegar will naturally break down built-up grease, soap scum, and odors.

Step 3: Run a baking soda cycle 

  1. Once the vinegar cycle finishes, open the dishwasher.
  2. Sprinkle one cup of baking soda directly across the bottom floor of the machine.
  3. Run a short hot water cycle. The baking soda acts as a mild abrasive to get rid of any  remaining stains while neutralizing any leftover odors.

Step 4: Clean the edges and door seals

  1. Open the door and check the rubber gasket seals. This damp area is a prime spot for mold and mildew growth.
  2. Dip an old toothbrush or a microfiber cloth into a mixture of warm water and vinegar.
  3. Gently wash the rubber seals and crevices along the outer edges of the door that the water cycle can’t reach. Wipe clean with a dry cloth.

Taking just a little time to clear out the filter and run these two short cycles will immediately improve your dishwasher's performance. A clean kitchen starts with clean tools, and a dishwasher refresh is one of the easiest ways to help keep your kitchen in working order. After all…once you have a dishwasher it’s hard to go back to handwashing.

Invite Merry Maids into your home

Keeping up with things like appliance maintenance and cleaning schedules can feel like a full-time job. Give us a call! While we don’t normally clean dishwashers, we offer cleaning of refrigerators and ovens as add-on services. Our experienced teams can also handle the deep cleaning of your kitchen, bathrooms, and living spaces. Merry Maids delivers a cleaning experience you can count on – for over 45 years.