At a Glance
Just because doing dishes in a dishwasher is far cleaner than washing dishes by hand doesn’t mean a dishwashing machine isn’t prone to bacteria, viruses, and even mold or fungus. At the end of the day, these appliances are wet havens where bacteria love to grow, and that’s why it’s important to treat your dishwasher to a “spa day” every so often to keep it in tip-top shape.
A scrub-down here and there isn’t bad, but if you want the utmost peace of mind, learn how to clean a dishwasher from the pros. Follow this step-by-step guide where we reveal all the ways and places to clean a dishwashing machine.
Save | Dishwasher Deals
Stay on top of dinner cleanup with a reliable dishwasher that cuts the job in half.
Shop DishwashersSigns It Is Time to Deep Clean Your Dishwasher
Ignoring basic dishwasher care leads to standing water in the bottom of the tub, gritty residue on your plates, and distinctly musty smells that fill the room. Many homeowners fail to realize that their kitchen sink garbage disposal shares a drain line with this specific product. When your garbage disposal clogs, dirty sink water frequently backs up into the bottom of the tub, creating a terrible smell.
With that said, there are common areas where dishwasher owners can look to determine where funky smells or backed-up water is coming from, such as:
Food Particles Trapped in the Filter
Large food chunks wash off your plates and travel directly to the cylindrical filter located at the base of the tub. When this fine mesh screen fills with food particles, dirty water simply recirculates over your clean dishes. Emptying this trap is the best way to quickly clean a smelly dishwasher.
Hard Water Scale Buildup
Homes with unfiltered tap water constantly pump dissolved minerals into the wash basin. These hard water deposits dry onto the internal walls, leaving a chalky white mineral scale behind. Knowing how to descale a dishwasher using natural acids melts this chalky residue away safely.
Grease Clinging to Rubber Door Gaskets
Every wash cycle splashes hot food grease against the outer edges of the door. The rubber seals along the frame catch this sticky grease, creating a dark sludge that eventually prevents the door from closing properly. Regular dishwasher gasket cleaning stops this sludge from hardening into a permanent layer of grime.
Learn More: What's a Good Dishwasher for My Home?
Step 1: Clearing the Drain and Spray Arms
Keeping your dishwasher sprays clear of debris cleans dishes better while keeping the appliance from overworking (which is less efficient and can lead to damage). Add a session of dishwasher spray cleaning to your next touch-up for better results.
Here’s how:
Before running any hot water cycles, manually inspect the interior for large obstructions. Pull the bottom rack completely off its tracks and set it aside to give yourself full access to the floor of the tub. This gives you much better leverage to reach the back sump pit without straining your lower back. Inspect the main drain area carefully for large food chunks, broken glass shards, or small bones.
Once you unclog dishwasher drain debris, check the spinning wash components. Food particles often shoot upward and wedge tightly inside the tiny water jets. Blocked spray arms are the number one cause of top-rack dishes failing to get fully clean. Use a wooden toothpick or a stiff piece of wire to poke into these small holes and dislodge any trapped spinach or seeds to restore optimal water pressure.
Step 2: How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter
Locate the cylindrical filter mechanism sitting at the bottom of your dishwasher’s basin. Grasp the top plastic handle, twist it firmly counterclockwise to unlock it, and pull the entire cylinder straight up. You will likely find a layer of gray sludge and trapped food particles coating the fine mesh screen.
Take the cylinder to your kitchen sink and scrub it gently under warm running water using a soft toothbrush and mild dish soap. Be careful not to use wire brushes or harsh scouring pads during this process. A stiff wire brush will easily tear the delicate mesh filter screen, allowing large debris to bypass the trap and permanently ruin the internal pump motor.
Step 3: The Vinegar and Baking Soda Cleaning Method
Using the vinegar and baking soda dishwasher cleaning method provides a deep-clean relying on harsh chemicals. Start by placing a heavy, dishwasher-safe glass bowl on the top rack and filling it with exactly one cup of plain white vinegar. Close the door and run a full cycle using the hottest water setting available to break down grease and eliminate musty odors.
Once the first wash completes, open the door and sprinkle one full cup of dry baking soda across the entire bottom of the tub. Run a second, much shorter hot water cycle to scrub away any remaining hard water stains in dishwasher corners and completely freshen the interior. NEVER mix vinegar and bleach together during this process. This creates a highly toxic, dangerous gas.
Learn More: Best Quiet Dishwashers in 2026: What dB Rating Actually Matters?
The Pros and Cons of DIY Dishwasher Cleaning
Relying on simple household pantry items like vinegar offers an excellent way to maintain your kitchen without spending extra money. However, natural methods sometimes lack the intense chemical power needed to tackle years of neglected mineral buildup.
Pros
Affordable
Pantry ingredients cost very little compared to expensive specialized cleaning tablets.
Toxin Free
Natural ingredients keep harsh synthetic chemicals off your eating utensils.
Odor Elimination
Vinegar absorbs and completely neutralizes foul food smells rather than just masking them.
Gentle Action
Soft pantry ingredients never degrade or melt the delicate rubber seals inside the tub.
Cons
Time Consuming
Running two separate cycles for liquids and powders takes significantly longer than tossing in a single pod.
Weak on Heavy Scale
Severe mineral buildup often demands the focused power of commercial descaling agents.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher?
Sticking to a regular dishwasher maintenance schedule drastically reduces unexpected breakdowns and keeps your plates looking spotless. Incorporating these simple habits into your routine kitchen maintenance saves you money in the long run.
- ✅ Daily Dishwasher Care: Scrape large food scraps into the trash before loading plates, and leave the door slightly cracked after a wash to let trapped steam escape.
- ✅ Weekly Dishwasher Care: Take a damp microfiber cloth and wipe down the inner door edges, rubber seals, and control panel to prevent sticky residue buildup.
- ✅ Monthly Dishwasher Care: Remove and scrub the bottom mesh filter, then run a dedicated hot water cycle using vinegar or a commercial dishwasher cleaner.
Top Dishwashers to Upgrade Your Kitchen
When deep cleaning no longer solves your poor washing results, upgrading your dishwasher transforms your daily household chores. Explore these top-rated selections from our showroom that feature advanced filtration and powerful targeted wash zones.
Whirlpool® 24" Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher with Boost Cycle and Triple Filtration Wash
Experience outstanding daily performance with this Whirlpool dishwasher built to handle everyday family meals. The spacious interior accommodates large pots and tall glasses easily, reducing the number of loads you need to run each week. Advanced triple filtration captures tiny food particles continuously, preventing dirty water from recirculating onto your clean plates. The specialized boost cycle tackles tough, baked-on messes by increasing water temperature and wash time automatically. This reliable washer delivers spotless results while operating quietly enough to run during your family movie night.
Top Features:
- Triple Filtration: Three levels of advanced screening trap tiny food particles to keep the wash water incredibly clean.
- Boost Cycle: Extended wash times and higher temperatures melt away stubborn baked-on cheese and grease.
- Spacious Tub: The large interior provides ample room for oversized skillets and tall baking sheets.
⭐Featured Whirlpool WDT540HAMZ Review:
"We weren’t getting anywhere with a different manufacturer so we decided to switch. This dishwasher takes care of all the work gives us clean dishes for a reasonable price. We’re very pleased."
GE Profile™ ENERGY STAR® 24" Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Top Control Built-In Dishwasher with Microban™ Antimicrobial Technology
Shop the GE Profile PDP715SYVFS
Maintain a hygienic kitchen with this advanced GE Profile dishwasher that actively fights off odor-causing bacteria. Specialized antimicrobial materials are baked directly into the touchpoints and filters, stopping gross bacteria from growing between your wash cycles. The powerful water jets hit every single angle of the tub, blasting away sticky peanut butter and dried oatmeal with ease. A highly effective drying cycle pulls moisture out of the air rapidly, allowing you to put plastic containers straight into the cabinet without reaching for a towel first.
Top Features:
- Antimicrobial Protection: Built-in materials actively block the growth of mold and bacteria on internal surfaces.
- Powerful Jets: Strategic water placement targets the hardest-to-reach corners of the upper and lower racks.
- Advanced Drying: High-performance drying technology completely removes lingering moisture from plastic food containers.
⭐Featured GE Profile PDP715SYVFS Review:
"Dishwasher has been doing a fantastic job. Dishes are clean and dry when cycle is complete. Also, very quiet running machine. Sometimes it's difficult to tell when it is running."
Bosch® 800 Series 24" Stainless Steel Top Control Built-In Dishwasher
Shop the Bosch Built-In Dishwasher
Enjoy whisper-quiet operation and legendary reliability into your home with this exceptional Bosch 800 Series dishwashing machine. The internal motor runs so silently that a small red light beams onto your floor just to let you know a wash cycle is active. Incredible precision wash arms target dirty silverware and plates with pinpoint accuracy, dissolving tough grease without wasting excess water. The flexible third rack provides the perfect secure spot for long spatulas and delicate measuring spoons, freeing up valuable space in the bottom basket for large mixing bowls.
Top Features:
- Silent Operation: Premium insulation keeps the running noise so low it never interrupts kitchen conversations.
- Precision Wash Arms: Highly targeted water streams blast away tough food residue without excess splashing.
- Flexible Third Rack: The top pull-out tray securely holds small utensils and bulky chef knives safely out of the way.
⭐Featured Bosch SHX78CM5N Review:
"I had two other dishwashers that were supposed to be quite but were loud during a wash. I bought the Bosh and I can't believe how quiet it is. Does a great job cleaning the dishes. I would totally recommend."
KitchenAid® 24" PrintShield™ Stainless Steel 360° Max Jets™ Top Control Built-In Dishwasher
Shop the KitchenAid KDTS434SPS
Conquer the messiest dinners with this high-capacity KitchenAid dishwasher featuring intense cleaning power. The specialized jets rotate in a complete circle, guaranteeing that high-pressure water reaches the deepest corners of your dirtiest baking dishes. An advanced internal filtration mesh catches heavy food scraps automatically, keeping the pump motor running smoothly for years. The incredibly smooth glide rails allow you to pull out a fully loaded rack with just one finger, making loading and unloading heavy ceramic plates a completely stress-free chore.
Top Features:
- Rotating Jets: Specialized spinning sprayers blast water in a full circle to clean heavily soiled roasting pans.
- Smooth Glide Rails: Premium rack tracks slide effortlessly even when loaded with heavy stoneware plates.
- Advanced Mesh Filter: The heavy-duty screen prevents large food chunks from clogging the main drain pump.
⭐Featured KitchenAid KDTS434SPS Review:
"We love our new dishwasher. So quiet. We love the 360° spin it has for the upper rack. We only use KitchenAid anyway because they truly are you're the best."
Learn More: Types & Features of KitchenAid Dishwashers
Thermador® Star Sapphire® 24" Stainless Steel Top Control Built-In Dishwasher
Indulge in ultimate luxury and unmatched cleaning with this Thermador Star Sapphire dishwasher. This premium product features an astonishingly fast wash cycle that produces sparkling clean wine glasses and plates in mere minutes, perfect for hosting large weekend dinner parties. The brilliantly illuminated interior lights up the entire tub, making it incredibly easy to spot dropped spoons or check the filter for debris. Exceptional drying technology uses specialized minerals to absorb moisture rapidly, delivering perfectly dry, spot-free crystal glasses every single time.
Top Features:
- Ultra-Fast Wash: The rapid cycle cleans lightly soiled party plates and glasses in an incredibly short timeframe.
- Illuminated Interior: Bright internal lighting makes loading items and inspecting the bottom filter remarkably easy.
- Mineral Drying: Innovative moisture-absorbing technology guarantees your delicate crystal comes out perfectly dry and spotless.
LG 24" PrintProof™ Stainless Steel Top Control Built-In Dishwasher with FlushFit Design and Dynamic Heat Dry™
Achieve a perfectly clean kitchen aesthetic alongside outstanding washing performance with this LG pick. The specialized steam cycle penetrates baked-on oatmeal and dried egg yolks, completely eliminating the need for you to pre-wash your dishes in the sink. Heavy-duty internal tines fold down easily, allowing you to fit odd-shaped stockpots and large serving platters without forcing the door shut. The dynamic heating element quickly raises the internal temperature at the end of the wash, baking away leftover moisture to prevent gross water spots on your silverware.
Top Features:
- Steam Penetration: Hot steam particles dissolve crusty, dried-on food before the main wash even begins.
- Folding Tines: Adjustable interior racks let you easily fit massive pots and bulky serving trays.
- Dynamic Heating: A powerful internal heater bakes away excess water to leave your plates fully dry and ready to use.
⭐Featured LG LDNTH753S Review:
"This dishwasher is simply the best that I have ever had. From the Excellent Cleaning of my dishes to the lights inside the machine and out, I am extremely pleased with the product."
GE® ENERGY STAR® 24" Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Top Control Built-In Dishwasher with Sanitize Cycle
Protect your family from seasonal germs while enjoying flawless cleaning results with this highly dependable GE dishwasher. The dedicated high-temperature sanitize cycle blasts dinnerware and utensils with intense heat, effectively destroying lingering bacteria and allergens. An internal hard food disposer acts like a mini blender, grinding up soft food chunks so they wash down the drain instead of clogging the spray arms. The massive interior tub easily holds enough plates and bowls to handle a full day of meals for a large, active family.
Top Features:
- High-Heat Sanitization: Extreme temperatures eliminate household germs and bacteria from your baby bottles and silverware.
- Hard Food Disposer: The internal grinder breaks down soft food chunks to prevent frustrating drain clogs.
- Massive Capacity: The deep internal tub provides incredible space for washing large loads in a single run.
⭐Featured GE GDP670SYVFS Review:
"We have had our dishwasher about a month. Very impressed with the wash and dry that the dishes are when completed on a full cycle. The most satisfying feature is the quietness. You literally do not hear it running, only when the water drains through the sink drain."
Miele 24" Clean Touch Steel Front Control Built-In Dishwasher
Invest in decades of flawless, dependable washing with this exceptionally engineered Miele product built for 20 years of longevity. The intelligent wash sensors actively measure how dirty your water is, automatically adjusting the temperature and cycle length to conserve energy while delivering perfect results. The specialized lower basket features specifically angled tines that hold heavy plates securely in place, preventing expensive china from chipping during the wash. At the end of the cycle, the door pops open automatically to let fresh air circulate, drying your plates completely without wasting extra electricity.
Top Features:
- Intelligent Sensors: The washer adjusts cycle times automatically based on how much dirt is detected in the water.
- Angled Tines: Securely holds delicate plates in place to prevent chipping and rattling during intense wash phases.
- Auto-Open Drying: The door cracks open automatically when finished to let steam escape and speed up drying times.
Learning how to clean a dishwasher properly completely revitalizes your kitchen cleanup routine while extending life of dishwasher components significantly. When you want to stop scrubbing dirty plates and start enjoying perfectly spotless results, our expert local installation teams are ready to help. Visit Grand Appliance today to explore our massive inventory of premium washers and discover exactly why your neighbors trust us for all their kitchen upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Clean a Dishwasher
You should never use bleach inside a washer that contains a stainless steel interior because the harsh chemical causes permanent rusting and pitting. If your tub is made of white plastic, you can run a bleach cycle to remove severe staining, but only if you have not used vinegar recently.
A sulfur or rotten egg smell indicates that old food particles are actively decaying inside the bottom mesh filter or the drain hose. Taking the time to manually empty the filter trap and running a hot vinegar cycle eliminates odors.
Clean the rubber seal by dipping an old, soft toothbrush into warm soapy water and gently scrubbing away the black grease trapped in the folds. Wiping this seal down with a damp cloth once a week prevents that sticky sludge from hardening permanently.
Yes, running an empty cycle with a bowl of plain white vinegar is a completely safe and highly recommended maintenance practice. The mild acid gently breaks down chalky hard water deposits without damaging the internal pumps or delicate rubber gaskets.
Clean a dishwasher air gap by pulling the decorative chrome cap off the top of your sink and using a small bottle brush to clear out trapped food debris. This small metallic cylinder prevents dirty sink water from siphoning backward into your clean wash basin.
The best way to dissolve stubborn hard water scale is to use a specialized commercial dishwasher cleaner during a maximum-heat wash cycle. These powerful descaling tablets contain strong citric acids that melt away thick, white mineral crust much faster than basic pantry ingredients.
Why Trust Grand Appliance
Grand Appliance is the appliance store of choice for homeowners across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa, offering an extensive selection of top-brand home appliances, beautifully designed showrooms, competitive pricing, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.
Family-owned and operated since 1930, Grand Appliance has earned a trusted reputation for quality products and exceptional service. Our decades of experience reflect a deep commitment to helping customers find the right appliances for their homes. We carry a wide range of refrigerators, dishwashers, cooking appliances, outdoor grills, and laundry solutions from leading manufacturers. Whether you’re upgrading your kitchen with a professional-style range or replacing a dependable washer and dryer, Grand Appliance offers a large selection of premium brands to fit your needs and budget. Shop with confidence today.
Shop Dishwashers at Grand Appliance
Explore a wide selection of premium appliances and outstanding customer service at Grand Appliance. Visit one of our appliance store locations throughout the Midwest to experience the latest innovations from trusted brands. For more than 90 years, our family-owned business has remained dedicated to delivering high-quality appliances and personalized service. Our knowledgeable appliance experts are ready to help you find the perfect solution for your home. Browse our online catalog or contact your nearest Grand Appliance showroom to get started today.
Learn More: Dishwasher Buying Guide