The best way to clean dishwasher interiors involves a combination of manual scrubbing on key components and running cleaning cycles with common household products. Most people assume the dishwasher cleans itself since it runs soap and hot water every cycle, but food particles, grease, mineral deposits, and mold build up in the filter, spray arms, gaskets, and door edges over time. A dirty dishwasher leaves residue on your dishes, creates foul odors, and shortens the machine’s lifespan. Cleaning it properly takes about 20 to 30 minutes and should happen once a month.
What You Need
You probably already have everything required in your kitchen. No specialty products are necessary for a thorough cleaning.
- White distilled vinegar (one cup)
- Baking soda (one cup)
- A soft toothbrush or small cleaning brush
- Dish soap
- A microfiber cloth or sponge
- Toothpick or thin wire for spray arm holes
- Rubber gloves (optional but recommended)
Step 1: Clean the Filter
The filter is the single dirtiest component in most dishwashers and the main source of bad smells. On modern machines, the filter is located on the floor of the tub, usually near the center or back. Twist it counterclockwise and pull it out. Some models have a two-part filter with a coarse screen and a fine mesh cylinder.
Rinse the filter under hot running water. Use a soft toothbrush and a drop of dish soap to scrub away trapped food particles and grease. For heavy buildup, soak the filter in warm water with a tablespoon of vinegar for 10 minutes before scrubbing. Hold it up to the light to make sure all the mesh holes are clear before reinstalling.
Step 2: Clear the Spray Arms
The spray arms have small holes that shoot water during the wash cycle. Mineral deposits and food debris clog these holes over time, reducing water pressure and leaving spots on dishes. Remove the spray arms by unscrewing the center nut or pressing the release clip, depending on your model.
Hold each arm under running water and use a toothpick or thin wire to poke through each spray hole. You will often see small chunks of food or calcium buildup push out. For stubborn mineral deposits, soak the arms in a bowl of white vinegar for 15 to 20 minutes. Spin the arms by hand after reinstalling to make sure they rotate freely.
Step 3: Wipe Down the Door and Gaskets
The door edges, gasket seal, and the area around the door hinges collect food splatter and mold that the wash cycle never reaches. Dip a microfiber cloth in a mixture of warm water and a tablespoon of vinegar, then wipe down the entire door interior, paying close attention to the rubber gasket that seals the door. Fold the gasket back gently and clean inside the folds where black mold often hides.
The bottom edge of the door below the gasket is a notorious grime trap. Food particles and standing water collect here because it sits below the tub’s water line. Wipe it thoroughly with your cloth and use a toothbrush for stubborn buildup.
Step 4: Run a Vinegar Cycle
Place a dishwasher-safe cup or bowl filled with one cup of white distilled vinegar on the top rack. Run a complete hot water cycle with the dishwasher otherwise empty. The vinegar breaks down grease, dissolves mineral deposits, and sanitizes the interior. The water temperature should reach at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit for effective cleaning. If your dishwasher has a sanitize setting, use it.
This is the core of the best way to clean dishwasher interiors because the vinegar reaches every surface the spray arms touch, including the interior walls, racks, and drain lines that you cannot access manually.
Step 5: Run a Baking Soda Cycle
After the vinegar cycle finishes, sprinkle one cup of baking soda across the bottom of the empty dishwasher. Run a short hot water cycle. Baking soda deodorizes the tub, brightens stainless steel interiors, and removes any remaining stains or discoloration. When this cycle finishes, your dishwasher should smell completely neutral and the interior should look noticeably cleaner.
Do not combine vinegar and baking soda in the same cycle. They neutralize each other and produce mostly water and carbon dioxide, eliminating the cleaning benefits of both. Running them separately gives you the full effect of each.
Commercial Dishwasher Cleaners
If you prefer a premade product, several commercial cleaners work well. These are worth considering if you have hard water or significant mineral buildup that vinegar alone cannot handle.
- Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner: Slow-dissolving tablets that clean throughout the entire cycle. Around $5 for a 6-pack. Use one tablet per month.
- Finish Dishwasher Cleaner: A liquid cleaner in a bottle that you place upside down on the bottom rack. The cap melts during the wash cycle, releasing the cleaner. About $4 per bottle.
- Lemi Shine Dishwasher Cleaner: Citric acid-based, specifically designed for hard water buildup. Around $5 for a 2-pack. Effective on white mineral film.
- Glisten Dishwasher Magic: Targets grease, limescale, and rust simultaneously. About $4 per bottle. Good for dishwashers that have gone more than 3 months without cleaning.
Monthly Maintenance Schedule
Keeping a dishwasher clean is easier with a routine than with occasional deep cleans. Here is a practical schedule that prevents buildup before it becomes a problem.
- After every load: Wipe down the door edge and gasket with a dry cloth. Leave the door slightly ajar for 30 minutes to let moisture evaporate and prevent mold.
- Weekly: Remove and rinse the filter under hot water. Check the drain at the bottom of the tub for trapped food or debris.
- Monthly: Run a full vinegar cycle followed by a baking soda cycle. Clean the spray arms and wipe down all gaskets and edges.
- Every 6 months: Inspect the door gasket for wear or mold penetration. Check the drain hose connection under the sink for kinks or buildup.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even after a thorough cleaning, some problems may persist. Here are the most common dishwasher complaints and their solutions.
Dishes Still Smell After Washing
If dishes come out smelling musty, the drain line or garbage disposal connection likely has trapped food. Run the garbage disposal before starting the dishwasher, and flush the drain line by pouring a quart of hot water mixed with a half cup of vinegar down the drain.
White Film on Glasses
Hard water mineral deposits cause cloudy glassware. Use a rinse aid like Jet-Dry in the dispenser, and add a tablespoon of citric acid to the bottom of the tub before running a normal cycle. If your water hardness exceeds 12 grains per gallon, consider a whole-house water softener for a permanent fix.
Standing Water in the Bottom
A small amount of water in the sump area is normal. Standing water above the filter indicates a clogged drain or a kinked drain hose. Clean the filter first, then check the drain hose under the sink for blockages. If the problem persists, the drain pump may need professional service, which typically costs $150 to $250 for parts and labor.
