A dishwasher cleans your dishes every day, but that doesn’t mean the appliance cleans itself. Food particles can collect in the filter, mineral deposits can build up, and residue around the door seal can eventually cause unpleasant smells or leave dishes looking less than spotless.
The good news? Cleaning a dishwasher doesn’t require a complicated routine. With a few basic supplies and about 20–30 minutes of hands-on work, you can give the machine a much-needed refresh.
This guide focuses on what actually matters: the filter, spray arms, door and gasket, drain area, and an occasional deep-cleaning cycle.
Quick answer: Empty the dishwasher, remove and clean the filter, check the spray arms and drain area, wipe the door and gasket, then run an empty cleaning cycle. For vinegar-and-baking-soda cleaning, use them in separate cycles, not together. Always check your dishwasher’s manual first because cleaning instructions vary by model.
What You’ll Need
You probably already have most of these at home:
- Warm water
- Mild dish soap
- A soft sponge or microfiber cloth
- An old toothbrush or other soft-bristled brush
- A clean towel
- Distilled white vinegar, if your manufacturer’s instructions allow it
- Baking soda for an optional deodorizing cycle
Avoid wire brushes, abrasive scouring pads, or anything that could scratch the filter or dishwasher surfaces.
How to Clean a Dishwasher Step by Step
1. Empty the Dishwasher
Remove all dishes, utensils and racks that can be easily taken out.
Pull out the bottom rack so you can reach the floor of the dishwasher. Look for obvious food scraps, labels, broken glass or other debris around the drain and filter.
If you find anything sharp, remove it carefully.
2. Clean the Dishwasher Filter
This is the step people most often overlook—and one of the most important.
The filter is generally located at the bottom of the dishwasher, either around the base of the lower spray arm or toward the back of the tub. The exact removal method varies by model, so check your owner’s manual before twisting or pulling anything.
Once you’ve removed the filter:
- Rinse it under warm running water.
- Use a soft brush to loosen stuck-on food and mineral deposits.
- Pay attention to the small openings in the mesh.
- Rinse away the remaining residue.
- Reinstall the filter and make sure it is securely locked.
Don’t run the dishwasher with a removable filter incorrectly installed or left out. A loose filter can affect cleaning performance and potentially cause problems.
If your filter is particularly greasy or grimy, soaking it in warm, soapy water can help. For stubborn mineral buildup, some manufacturers recommend an occasional vinegar-and-water soak, but check your manual first.
3. Check and Clean the Spray Arms
The spray arms are responsible for distributing water throughout the dishwasher. Small food particles or mineral deposits can block their holes.
Inspect the holes for visible debris. If they’re clogged, gently clear the openings and rinse the spray arm.
Don’t force anything into the holes that could damage the arm. If your spray arms are removable, consult your manual for the correct removal method.
4. Clean the Door, Gasket and Edges
Open the dishwasher door and look closely around the edges.
This is where grease, food residue and grime can hide because the area isn’t necessarily reached by the main spray pattern.
Use a damp microfiber cloth or soft sponge with a little mild dish soap to wipe:
- The rubber door gasket
- The inside edge of the door
- The corners around the tub
- The detergent dispenser
- The bottom edge of the door
For stubborn grime, use a soft toothbrush rather than an abrasive scrubber.
5. Inspect the Drain Area
Look at the bottom of the dishwasher around the filter and drain.
Remove visible food particles and debris, but don’t dismantle components unless your manufacturer’s instructions specifically tell you to.
A dirty filter or obstructed drain area can contribute to odors and poor cleaning performance.
6. Run an Empty Cleaning Cycle
Once you’ve removed the physical buildup, it’s time to clean the dishwasher’s interior.
One commonly recommended method is to put 2 cups (500 mL) of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the lower rack and run a normal cycle without detergent, with heated dry turned off.
However, vinegar isn’t appropriate for every dishwasher and using an acidic cleaner too frequently may damage some components. Your owner’s manual should take priority.
7. Use Baking Soda for Odor Control
If your manufacturer permits it, you can follow the vinegar cycle with a separate baking soda cycle.
Sprinkle about 1 cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher, then run a hot-water cycle.
The important part is not to mix vinegar and baking soda together in the dishwasher at the same time. Use them in separate cycles.
If your dishwasher has significant limescale or mineral buildup, a dishwasher cleaner specifically designed for the appliance may be a better choice than relying on household ingredients.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher?
You don’t necessarily need to deep-clean the entire appliance every week.
A practical routine looks like this:
- After each load: Remove obvious food debris when you notice it.
- About once a month: Inspect and clean the filter, particularly if you use the dishwasher frequently.
- Every few months: Give the interior, door seal, spray arms and drain area a more thorough inspection.
- As needed: Deep-clean the appliance when you notice odors, residue, gritty dishes or declining cleaning performance.
Whirlpool recommends monthly deep cleaning in its general dishwasher-cleaning guide, while its maintenance checklist gives a quarterly cleaning frequency—so the right schedule depends on the appliance, usage and manufacturer’s recommendations.
How to Tell Your Dishwasher Needs Cleaning
Your dishwasher is giving you clues when it needs attention.
Watch for:
- A bad or musty smell when you open the door
- Food particles left on dishes
- Cloudy or gritty glassware
- Visible debris around the filter
- Water draining slowly
- Mineral or brown stains inside the tub
- Detergent or greasy residue
- A noticeable decline in cleaning performance
These symptoms can have causes other than a dirty dishwasher, but cleaning the filter and inspecting the spray arms and drain is a sensible first step.
What Not to Do When Cleaning a Dishwasher
A few common cleaning shortcuts can do more harm than good.
Don’t mix cleaning chemicals. In particular, never combine vinegar with bleach.
Don’t use abrasive tools. Wire brushes and harsh scouring pads can damage filters and surfaces. Product Help | Whirlpool
Don’t use vinegar constantly. It’s acidic, and manufacturers caution that excessive use may damage some dishwasher components.
Don’t assume every dishwasher is identical. Filter designs, spray-arm removal and approved cleaning products vary by model.
Don’t ignore a damaged filter. If the filter is cracked or worn, cleaning it won’t solve the problem; it may need replacement.
A Simple Dishwasher-Cleaning Routine
If you want to keep things easy, remember FILTER → SPRAY ARMS → GASKET → DRAIN → CLEANING CYCLE.
Start with the parts that collect physical debris. Then clean the areas that trap grease and grime. Finally, use an appropriate dishwasher cleaner or manufacturer-approved cleaning method to freshen the interior.
The biggest practical lesson is simple: don’t wait until your dishwasher smells bad to clean the filter. Regular filter cleaning takes only a few minutes and can help prevent debris buildup and maintain cleaning performance.
Final Takeaway
A dishwasher may do the washing, but it still needs occasional maintenance. Clean the filter regularly, inspect the spray arms, wipe the gasket and door edges, keep the drain area clear, and deep-clean the interior periodically.
And before trying vinegar, bleach, commercial cleaners or any other cleaning method, check your specific dishwasher’s owner’s manual. That’s the safest way to make sure your cleaning routine works with your particular appliance.