Do you ever load your dishwasher, run it with your favorite, reliable detergent, and then find that your glasses are cloudy? If that scenario sounds familiar, it’s time to clean your dishwasher.
While you may keep your windows shiny, your floors spic and span, and your heirloom family silver looking like it’s brand new, it may not occur to you to wash the machine that washes your dishes. Dishwashers really do need the occasional cleaning, though, because over time grease, soap scum, and food debris can build up—reducing efficiency and providing a breeding ground for germs.
### My Dishwasher Cleaning Confession
I have a confession to make: I’ve never once cleaned my dishwasher. In fact, I didn’t even know that you’re supposed to clean your dishwasher frequently until I interviewed Amanda Poole, merchant of dishwashers and disposers at The Home Depot, for this story.
Below, I’ve covered everything you need to know about how often and how to clean your dishwasher with baking soda, vinegar, or bleach for sparkling dishware after every cycle.
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## How Often To Clean Your Dishwasher
According to Amanda Poole, you should be thoroughly cleaning your dishwasher every month, including the entire interior, door, gasket, and filter.
> “If you only use your dishwasher occasionally or prewash your dishes, you might not need to clean it that often,” she says. “But don’t let it go without a cleaning for longer than six months.”
Cleaning a dishwasher is a key preventative step in home maintenance.
> “If you habitually put this chore off, unwanted residue like minerals, grease, grime, and limescale will build up inside your unit,” she explains. “Over time, it will become less effective, compromising its performance.”
Not only that, but poor performance might lead to costly repairs that could be avoided by cleaning your appliance regularly.
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## What You Need
– White vinegar, baking soda, or bleach
– Dishwasher-safe bowl
– Hot water
– Soft-bristle brush
– Toothpicks
– Toothbrush
– Clean cloth
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## How To Clean Your Dishwasher With Vinegar
Vinegar is natural and safe to use in your dishwasher and works well as a DIY dishwasher cleaner.
1. First, empty the dishwasher.
2. Put 1 cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl and place it on the top rack of the dishwasher.
3. Run the hottest cycle on the dishwasher. Skip the drying cycle and open the dishwasher door to let it air-dry.
Make sure to **skip the detergent** during this cycle.
To clean removable dishwasher parts with vinegar, fill your sink half-full of warm water and add two cups of white vinegar. Place the parts in the sink and let them soak for 20 minutes. Then rinse them and put them back in place.
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## How To Clean With Baking Soda
You can also sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda on the floor of an empty dishwasher and run a short cycle on the hottest setting without detergent to clean the interior and kill odors.
As with cleaning a dishwasher with vinegar, skip the drying cycle and let the dishwasher air dry.
> “Using vinegar and baking soda are easy, effective ways to clean inside a dishwasher, but **do not use them together at the same time**—clean with the vinegar first and then with the baking soda,” says Poole.
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## How To Clean With Bleach
Cleaning a dishwasher with bleach can deep clean the interior and remove tough stains, mold, and mildew.
1. Pour one cup of bleach into a dishwasher-safe, bleach-safe bowl and place it on the top rack of your dishwasher.
2. Run a full cycle but skip the drying cycle. No detergent needed for this cleaning cycle.
**Important:** Do not use bleach in a stainless-steel dishwasher or one that contains stainless-steel parts, as bleach will damage it.
Also, avoid using bleach at the same time you clean with baking soda or vinegar.
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## How To Clean The Dishwasher Drain With Vinegar
Cleaning your dishwasher drain trap requires a bit more care.
1. Put 1 cup of white vinegar in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds so it is slightly warm.
2. Take the bowl out and stir in two tablespoons of baking soda.
3. Pour the mixture into the drain at the bottom of the dishwasher and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
In the meantime, boil a kettle of water.
4. Once boiling, carefully pour the water down the dishwasher drain to help clear out any debris or clogs. Do this slowly to avoid splashes.
If you have a garbage disposal, ensure that it’s also clean and running well, as dishwasher clogs and drainage problems can sometimes be traced to a clogged or dirty garbage disposal.
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## Tips To Keep Your Dishwasher Clean Longer
### Clean the Filter Often
To keep your dishwasher cleaner longer, clean the dishwasher filter frequently.
> “Cleaning your dishwasher’s filter after each use is a simple and quick step that will keep your dishwasher cleaner longer,” explains Poole.
Wash the filter by hand in warm, soapy water, then gently scrub with a small, soft-bristle brush if there are stuck-on food particles. Rinse thoroughly under warm running water and replace it.
### Pre-Rinsing
Another helpful tip to prolong cleanliness is to prewash your dishes and remove food residue before running the dishwasher.
However, some higher-end dishwasher models have built-in food-waste disposals, so pre-rinsing is less necessary than simply scraping off the food.
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## How To Get Rid Of And Prevent Smells In The Dishwasher
If you’ve neglected cleaning your appliance, dishwashers can develop unpleasant odors from trapped food particles, bacterial growth, and mildew.
Here’s what to do:
1. Start by cleaning the drain trap and clearing any clogs from the spray arms with a toothpick.
2. Run the dishwasher according to the directions above—first with vinegar to cut through grease and soap scum, then with baking soda to neutralize smells.
3. After each cycle, open the dishwasher door to air-dry the interior.
Following these steps will help keep your dishwasher fresh and your dishes sparkling clean every time.
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Regular dishwasher maintenance not only prolongs the life of your appliance but also ensures your dishes come out spotless. Make dishwasher cleaning a monthly habit—you’ll be glad you did!
https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-dishwasher-11858841