How to clean a dishwasher in 7 steps

The short answer: how to clean a dishwasher: food, grease and minerals build up in the filter, spray arms and door seals, so the machine works harder and cleans worse.

• Clean the filter and clear the spray arms
• Wipe the door and gasket and check the drain
• Run a cleaning cycle with dishwasher cleaner or citric acid
• Fixes for smells, film and dirty dishes
• Next step: Plan it with the Cleaning Schedule ($4.49).

If your dishes come out cloudy or the kitchen smells a little off, it's time to learn how to clean a dishwasher. Dishwashers don't clean themselves. Food, grease and minerals build up in the filter, spray arms and door seals, and the machine works harder and cleans worse. This guide walks through each part, how often to clean it, and how to fix common problems like smells, film and dirty dishes.

What you need

Skip steel wool and harsh scrubbers. Consumer Reports' tips on making your dishwasher last longer warn that they scratch the tub and finish.

How to clean a dishwasher in 7 steps

1. Empty it. Take out the racks if you need room to reach the bottom.
2. Clean the filter. Twist out the filter at the bottom of the tub. Rinse it under hot water and scrub it gently with a soft brush and a drop of dish soap. Put it back securely.
3. Clear the spray arms. Remove them if they unclip or unscrew. Rinse, then poke any clogged holes clear with a toothpick. Make sure they spin freely.
4. Wipe the door and gasket. Use a cloth with warm, soapy water on the rubber seal, the door edges and the bottom of the door, where gunk hides.
5. Check the drain. Look for bits of food, glass or labels near the drain and remove them.
6. Run a cleaning cycle. Use a dishwasher cleaner, following the package, on the hottest cycle with the machine empty. Consumer Reports' dishwasher cleaning guide suggests a monthly cleaning cycle.
7. Wipe the outside. Clean the control panel and handle with a damp cloth. For stainless steel, wipe with the grain.

Cleaning the filter

The filter is the most important part. Consumer Reports' filter guide explains there are two types:

• Manual filters are removable and need regular cleaning. Most newer dishwashers have them, because they're quieter.
• Self-cleaning filters grind up food and send it down the drain. They need little care but are louder.

If your filter is manual, clean it every month or so, or every 2 to 3 months if you don't run the machine daily. A dirty filter is the number one cause of bad smells and gritty dishes.

How often to clean each part

Add these to your cleaning calendar so they don't get forgotten. Our kitchen cleaning checklist and cleaning schedule template show where they fit.

Vinegar, baking soda or a dishwasher cleaner?

A store-bought dishwasher cleaner, often made with citric acid, is the simplest choice and is safe for most machines. Many people also use a two-step method: run a hot cycle with a cup of white vinegar standing upright on the top rack, then sprinkle a cup of baking soda on the bottom and run a short cycle. Vinegar works, but some manufacturers say frequent use can wear rubber parts, so read your manual first. Never combine vinegar or ammonia with bleach.

Fixing common problems

If the sink next to the dishwasher smells, see how to clean a garbage disposal; the splash guard can even go in the top rack. To shine the basin itself, here's how to clean a stainless steel sink.

A bad smell

Clean the filter and gasket, then run a cleaning cycle. Run the kitchen sink until the water is hot before starting each load, so the first fill isn't cold. Leave the door cracked open after a cycle to let it dry.

White film or spots

That's usually hard water. Run a citric-acid cleaner, and keep the rinse aid dispenser full. A detergent made for hard water helps too.

Dishes still dirty

Check the filter and spray arms first. Then check how you load: don't block the spray arms, face dirty sides toward the center, and don't overcrowd.

Water left in the bottom

A little water near the filter is normal. More than that usually means a clogged filter or drain hose. Clean the filter. If it's still not draining, check the garbage disposal connection, since a new disposal's knockout plug or a full disposal can block it.

Cleaning mold or mildew

Black or pink spots on the gasket, the door edges or the bottom of the door are usually mold or mildew. They grow where water sits and the air stays damp. Wear gloves, and scrub the spots with warm water, dish soap and an old toothbrush, working into the folds of the rubber seal. For stubborn spots, a paste of baking soda and water helps. Rinse with a damp cloth, then run a cleaning cycle with a dishwasher cleaner. To stop it from coming back, leave the door open a few inches after each cycle so the inside can dry, and wipe the gasket weekly.

The same smell problem shows up in washers. Our guide on how to clean a washing machine covers the gasket, drum and filter.

Plastic vs. stainless steel tubs

Older and budget dishwashers often have plastic tubs, while most mid-range and higher models have stainless steel. Plastic tubs can stain orange or pink from tomato sauce and hard water. A paste of baking soda and water, or a citric-acid cleaner, usually lifts those stains. Stainless tubs resist stains but can show white mineral film, which a cleaning cycle removes. On either one, skip abrasive pads, and check your manual before using bleach.

Loading for cleaner dishes

How you load affects how well the machine cleans, and how often it needs a deep clean:

• Big items on the bottom, facing the center and the spray arm.
• Cups and bowls on top, tilted so water drains off.
• Utensils mixed, handles down for forks and spoons and handles up for knives.
• Nothing blocking the detergent door or the spray arms.
• Large pans to the sides or back, so they don't shadow other dishes.

Spin each spray arm by hand after loading to make sure nothing blocks it.

A pre-holiday dishwasher clean

The dishwasher works overtime from Thanksgiving to New Year's. Give it a full clean the weekend before the first big meal: filter, spray arms, gasket and a cleaning cycle. Then run it empty again in early January to clear the holiday grease. Add both dates to your calendar now.

Habits that keep it clean longer

Our guide on how to clean a Keurig covers the weekly parts wash and how to descale the machine.

• Scrape, don't rinse. Consumer Reports notes that modern detergents need some food to work on.
• Run full loads. It saves water and energy.
• Use the right amount of detergent. Too much leaves film.
• Use rinse aid. It helps dishes dry and keeps spots away.
• Run hot water first. It helps the first fill start hot.

Cleaning the outside and the control panel

The outside of the dishwasher picks up fingerprints, splashes and sticky handprints. Wipe the front with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water, then dry it. For stainless steel, wipe in the direction of the grain, and finish with a few drops of mineral oil on a cloth if you want a streak-free shine. Don't spray cleaner directly on the control panel, since liquid can seep behind the buttons. Spray the cloth instead. If your model has a child lock, turn it on before wiping so you don't start a cycle by accident. Clean the handle often during cold and flu season, along with the fridge and microwave handles.

For more on fronts and handles, see our guide on how to clean stainless steel.

When it's time for a new dishwasher

If yours is leaking, rusting or still cleaning poorly after a deep clean, it may be time to replace it. ENERGY STAR's dishwasher page explains that certified models use less water and energy than older ones, which lowers utility bills over time. Write the model, purchase date and repairs in a home maintenance log, so you know how old your appliances are.

Keep the whole house on a schedule

A clean dishwasher is one monthly job among many. The Cleaning Schedule ($4.49) has daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal cleaning lists plus a family chore chart, so the filter, fridge and oven all get their turn. For the whole home, the Home Management Bundle ($16.99) includes a household binder, a maintenance log, a cleaning schedule, a home inventory and more.

Hosting soon? See how to clean house before holiday guests and our deep cleaning checklist.