How to Clean a Dishwasher: A Simple Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide

A dishwasher is meant to clean your dishes — but over time, food particles, grease, soap residue and hard-water deposits build up inside it. This leads to bad smells, cloudy dishes, and poor cleaning performance. So learning how to clean a dishwasher the right way is essential to keep it working efficiently.

If you’re new to dishwashers or still learning the basics, you may also find my beginner-friendly guide on how to use a dishwasher helpful. It explains loading, detergent use and wash cycles in simple steps.

Many homeowners ask the same questions:

• How do you clean a dishwasher correctly?
  
• How to clean your dishwasher without damaging it?
  
• How to clean the dishwasher filter or remove the bad smell?

The good news? Cleaning a dishwasher is simple, inexpensive and can be done with basic items like vinegar and baking soda. In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to clean the inside of your dishwasher, how to deep-clean it, and how to keep it smelling fresh every day.

Why You Must Clean Your Dishwasher Regularly

A clean dishwasher offers several benefits:

If your dishwasher has been leaving spots, smelling bad, or taking longer to wash, it’s time for a deep clean.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Dishwasher Thoroughly

Below is the easiest and most effective process.

1. Remove and Clean the Dishwasher Filter

One of the most important steps in learning how to clean a dishwasher filter is removing trapped food particles.

How to clean the filter:

1. Remove the bottom rack.
2. Twist and lift the filter out.
3. Soak the filter in a mixture of warm water and dish soap for about 10 minutes.
4. Scrub gently with a soft brush.
5. Rinse and reinstall securely.

A clogged filter is the number one reason for bad smells.

2. Clean the Spray Arms

Spray arms collect mineral deposits and tiny food pieces.

To clean them:

• Remove the spray arms (if detachable).
  
• Use a toothpick or pin to clear blocked holes.
  
• Rinse with hot water.

This improves water pressure and cleaning performance.

3. Wipe the Inside Walls and Door

Many people forget this step when searching for how to clean inside of dishwasher.

Use a microfiber cloth dipped in warm soapy water to wipe:

• Door edges
  
• Rubber seals
  
• Soap dispenser
  
• Racks
  
• Inside walls

This removes grease and soap residue.

4. Run a Vinegar Cleaning Cycle

Once everything is cleaned manually, it’s time to sanitize.

How to clean dishwasher with vinegar:

1. Set a cup filled with white vinegar on the top rack of your dishwasher.
2. Run a hot-water cycle.

Vinegar removes bad odors, greasy buildup and bacteria.

5. Run a Baking Soda Rinse

For an extra fresh smell, especially if you want to know how to clean a smelly dishwasher, baking soda works best.

Steps:

• Sprinkle a full cup of baking soda so it covers the entire bottom section evenly.
• Run a short hot cycle.

This eliminates deep odors and brightens the interior.

How to Deep Clean a Dishwasher (For Tough Stains & Smells)

If your dishwasher still smells or doesn’t clean well, you may need a deeper cleaning approach.

Deep cleaning steps include:

• Cleaning the drain trap
  
• Removing and washing racks
  
• Scrubbing door gaskets with vinegar
  
• Using a toothbrush to clean corners
  
• Running a vinegar + baking soda combination cycle (never mix; use separately)

This process covers everything about how to deep clean a dishwasher properly.

If you’re new to dishwashers, you can also read my simple guide on How to Use a Dishwasher: A Beginner-Friendly Step-by-Step Guide.

How to Get Smell Out of a Dishwasher

If your dishwasher smells like rotten food or mold, here are the causes:

• Clogged filter
  
• Food stuck under spray arms
  
• Grease in drain line
  
• Hard water buildup
  
• Not running hot cycles regularly

Quick fixes:

• Clean the filter weekly
  
• Run a vinegar cycle
  
• Run a baking soda cycle
  
• Leave the door open after every wash
  
• Clean the drain area monthly

This method is the best solution for how to get smell out of dishwasher safely.

If your dishwasher still isn’t cleaning well or dishes come out cloudy or greasy, read my guide on dishwasher not cleaning properly for more fixes.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher?

Cleaning Task	Frequency
Filter cleaning	Weekly
Vinegar cycle	Monthly
Baking soda deodorizing	Every 2–3 weeks
Deep cleaning	Every 2–3 months

Regular cleaning prevents expensive repairs and keeps performance high.

Extra Tips to Keep Your Dishwasher Clean Longer

• Always scrape food before loading (no need to rinse fully).
  
• Use high-quality dishwasher detergent.
  
• Avoid overcrowding the racks.
  
• Run hot-water cycles to kill bacteria.
  
• Leave the door slightly open after washing.

Final Verdict: A Clean Dishwasher Means Cleaner Dishes

A little regular maintenance removes odors, prevents clogs, and keeps dishes spotless. Follow the filter, spray arm, and vinegar/baking soda steps above and schedule a deep clean every few months. These simple habits will improve performance and extend the life of your appliance.

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