How to Clean and Maintain a Dishwasher
Fill the sink half full of water and add 2 cups of vinegar., Remove the holders and racks., Clear any debris out of the holes in spinning arms., Wipe around the edges of the door and around the gasket., Remove mildew or mold with bleach., Tackle...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Fill the sink half full of water and add 2 cups of vinegar.
This is going to be where your dishwasher bits are soaking while you clean up around the walls and base.
If you don't have vinegar, consider the following:
Lemonade drink mix or lemon-flavored Kool-Aid mix. (Don't use strong colors that might stain.
There is no need to add the sugar.) Lemon juice A dishwasher cleaning product -
Step 2: Remove the holders and racks.
The two "shelves" of the dishwasher should be removed, along with the utensil holder and any other pieces that aren't a part of the racks.
If they're small, place them into your vinegar-water sink for cleaning.
If they don't fit, wipe them down with a rag damp with the same vinegar solution.
Check for food bits! If any are stuck on, use a toothpick or similar small, sharp tool to pry away at what's been caked on. , Look to make sure all the holes are open so that water can run through them freely.
If you have this problem, those holes will need to cleaned in order for your dishwasher to run efficiently.
Use fine pointed or needle-nose pliers if you have some; otherwise, try a toothpick or something similar.
Take care not to scratch anything if you're using a tool with a metal point.
Remember to take your time and be careful.
If these holes are very small, bend a fine wire with a tiny hook on one end.
Thread the wire through the opening most distal from the center of the arm.
Each time you do this a small amount of debris will come out.
Another option is to drill a much larger hole at the end of the arm.
Run the washer to eject the matter, then plug the bigger hole with a stainless steel screw. , This space doesn't get washed during the dishwasher cycle.
Use a damp cloth and the vinegar solution (or, if you like, a bit of mild spray cleaner).
An old toothbrush or other soft, household brush can help get into corners and up under the gasket, too.
Don't forget under the bottom of the door! In some dishwashers, this is a dead spot where water doesn't go, so it can accumulate debris.
Wipe this off with your vinegar rag.
If anything is caked on, bust out your scrub brush as necessary. , Run a separate cycle from any acid cleaners you have used and never mix bleach with other cleaners or with dishwasher detergent.
Bleach is a very strong chemical, both on you and on your dishwasher, so use it sparingly and only when necessary.
If mold and mildew is a problem, leave the dishwasher loosely open for a while after each cycle to allow it to dry out.
Avoid using bleach and detergents containing bleach if your dishwasher has a stainless steel interior or door. , If your water has a lot of iron or rust in it, rust may be beyond your control.
If possible, address the problem at its source.
If the problem isn't rusty pipes, water softeners can remove a limited amount of iron from water but they mostly work by exchanging minerals that are hard to clean off surfaces for salts that are relatively easy to clean.
Filters do exist to remove iron from water and might be worth looking into if your water is extremely high in iron.
Use a dishwasher-safe rust remover for the stains themselves, but seek out a professional to ask how they got there in the first place.If the finish is chipping or flaking off the wire baskets in your dishwasher, try a paint-on sealant made just for dishwasher racks.
Pull out the racks and check the bottoms, too.
If the damage is severe or widespread (not just a few tines but all of them), see if you can replace the entire rack.
Online stores sell a wide variety of appliance parts, so your replacement part may be very easy to find. , Once the grate, filter, arms, and all the insides have been given their thorough cleaning and the smaller parts have had a chance to soak, place them back in as normal.
Or proceed to the next section
-- if your dishwasher is really bad, you can take apart the bottom and really get down to business., Look for a plug under your sink.
Make sure to unplug the dishwasher and not the garbage disposal! Follow the cord back to your dishwasher to make sure.
If your dishwasher is at all mobile, move it around to see the proper cord move.
Turn off the circuit breaker to be completely sure.
Look out for the heating element in the bottom, if it is still hot you will get a bad burn. , Take care not to drop them! The cover of the filter will lift off, leaving the area exposed.
As you disassemble this section, take care to notice what you take off and where.
Take photos along the way and set the pieces someplace safe, in the order they came off.
When you start reassembly, there will be no question of what you should do. , This is to prevent debris from getting in it as you clean it.
You want the debris out of the dishwasher completely
-- not clogging up the pipes even further. , Be careful of handling broken glass if that is part of what you find here.
Rubber gloves are a good idea, too.
Use a brush or a cloth to loosen and remove deposits.
For dishwashers that have not been properly cleaned recently, you'll need a strong cleaning agent to get at the years of buildup.
Never use steel wool with soap, it embeds minute particles of iron and you will never make the rust go away. , It'll be easiest to do the reverse of what you did to get it apart.
Don't over-tighten the screws, especially if they are going into soft plastic.
You may want to give it a quick run to see if everything works like it should. , It will help to prevent food and other debris from building up in there, reducing the need to clean it.
Occasionally run it empty, too
-- on the short, water-saving cycle, of course!, You will get cleaner dishes if the water starts hot.
You can collect the water you run and use it for watering plants or other purposes.
Run the water until what comes out of the tap feels hot.
Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120F (50C) .
Water that is cooler than this won't be very effective for cleaning.
Water that is hotter than this may scald people. , The dishwasher drains into the same pipe as your sink, so that drain must be clear.
If you're experiencing problems with your dishwasher, it may actually be stemming from your garbage disposal.
Here are some applicable reads:
How to Maintain a Garbage Disposal How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal How to Fix a Garbage Disposal , Place 2 cups of vinegar in the bottom of your dishwasher and run it on low, or the energy-saving setting.
Halfway through, stop the dishwasher and let the vinegar soak on the bottom for 15 or 20 minutes.
After the time is up, turn it back on to finish.
If it's really bad, you can let it soak overnight.
If smell is an issue, sprinkle 1/2
- 1 cup of baking soda around the bottom and run the washer as normal., Wipe it down with a sponge or soft cloth.
Pay particular attention to the controls and the handle.
Also, don't miss the little ledge between panels; they tend to collect dirt. , Rinse aid helps to prevent spots on your dishes.
Unscrew the round knob in the dishwasher door and pour in rinse aid according to package directions or your dishwasher's manual.
Don't use rinse aid if you have a water softener.Solid rinse aids are available.
If you forget to refill liquid rinse aid, the solid ones are more visible, so they may help you remember.
If you prefer, some dishwasher detergents now have built-in rinse aid. -
Step 3: Clear any debris out of the holes in spinning arms.
-
Step 4: Wipe around the edges of the door and around the gasket.
-
Step 5: Remove mildew or mold with bleach.
-
Step 6: Tackle rust stains.
-
Step 7: Replace all parts back into your dishwasher.
-
Step 8: To remove accumulated debris
-
Step 9: unplug the dishwasher.
-
Step 10: Carefully remove the screws at the bottom.
-
Step 11: Place a rag or a piece of tape on the opening of the filter.
-
Step 12: Use a cloth to remove solid debris and then scrub down the base as necessary.
-
Step 13: Screw everything back together and plug it back in.
-
Step 14: Use your dishwasher regularly.
-
Step 15: Run a bit of hot water in your sink before running the dishwasher.
-
Step 16: Run the garbage disposal before starting the dishwasher.
-
Step 17: Periodically run the dishwasher with vinegar.
-
Step 18: Spray the front of your dishwasher with a mild spray cleaner.
-
Step 19: Refill your dishwasher's rinse aid dispenser about once per month.
Detailed Guide
This is going to be where your dishwasher bits are soaking while you clean up around the walls and base.
If you don't have vinegar, consider the following:
Lemonade drink mix or lemon-flavored Kool-Aid mix. (Don't use strong colors that might stain.
There is no need to add the sugar.) Lemon juice A dishwasher cleaning product
The two "shelves" of the dishwasher should be removed, along with the utensil holder and any other pieces that aren't a part of the racks.
If they're small, place them into your vinegar-water sink for cleaning.
If they don't fit, wipe them down with a rag damp with the same vinegar solution.
Check for food bits! If any are stuck on, use a toothpick or similar small, sharp tool to pry away at what's been caked on. , Look to make sure all the holes are open so that water can run through them freely.
If you have this problem, those holes will need to cleaned in order for your dishwasher to run efficiently.
Use fine pointed or needle-nose pliers if you have some; otherwise, try a toothpick or something similar.
Take care not to scratch anything if you're using a tool with a metal point.
Remember to take your time and be careful.
If these holes are very small, bend a fine wire with a tiny hook on one end.
Thread the wire through the opening most distal from the center of the arm.
Each time you do this a small amount of debris will come out.
Another option is to drill a much larger hole at the end of the arm.
Run the washer to eject the matter, then plug the bigger hole with a stainless steel screw. , This space doesn't get washed during the dishwasher cycle.
Use a damp cloth and the vinegar solution (or, if you like, a bit of mild spray cleaner).
An old toothbrush or other soft, household brush can help get into corners and up under the gasket, too.
Don't forget under the bottom of the door! In some dishwashers, this is a dead spot where water doesn't go, so it can accumulate debris.
Wipe this off with your vinegar rag.
If anything is caked on, bust out your scrub brush as necessary. , Run a separate cycle from any acid cleaners you have used and never mix bleach with other cleaners or with dishwasher detergent.
Bleach is a very strong chemical, both on you and on your dishwasher, so use it sparingly and only when necessary.
If mold and mildew is a problem, leave the dishwasher loosely open for a while after each cycle to allow it to dry out.
Avoid using bleach and detergents containing bleach if your dishwasher has a stainless steel interior or door. , If your water has a lot of iron or rust in it, rust may be beyond your control.
If possible, address the problem at its source.
If the problem isn't rusty pipes, water softeners can remove a limited amount of iron from water but they mostly work by exchanging minerals that are hard to clean off surfaces for salts that are relatively easy to clean.
Filters do exist to remove iron from water and might be worth looking into if your water is extremely high in iron.
Use a dishwasher-safe rust remover for the stains themselves, but seek out a professional to ask how they got there in the first place.If the finish is chipping or flaking off the wire baskets in your dishwasher, try a paint-on sealant made just for dishwasher racks.
Pull out the racks and check the bottoms, too.
If the damage is severe or widespread (not just a few tines but all of them), see if you can replace the entire rack.
Online stores sell a wide variety of appliance parts, so your replacement part may be very easy to find. , Once the grate, filter, arms, and all the insides have been given their thorough cleaning and the smaller parts have had a chance to soak, place them back in as normal.
Or proceed to the next section
-- if your dishwasher is really bad, you can take apart the bottom and really get down to business., Look for a plug under your sink.
Make sure to unplug the dishwasher and not the garbage disposal! Follow the cord back to your dishwasher to make sure.
If your dishwasher is at all mobile, move it around to see the proper cord move.
Turn off the circuit breaker to be completely sure.
Look out for the heating element in the bottom, if it is still hot you will get a bad burn. , Take care not to drop them! The cover of the filter will lift off, leaving the area exposed.
As you disassemble this section, take care to notice what you take off and where.
Take photos along the way and set the pieces someplace safe, in the order they came off.
When you start reassembly, there will be no question of what you should do. , This is to prevent debris from getting in it as you clean it.
You want the debris out of the dishwasher completely
-- not clogging up the pipes even further. , Be careful of handling broken glass if that is part of what you find here.
Rubber gloves are a good idea, too.
Use a brush or a cloth to loosen and remove deposits.
For dishwashers that have not been properly cleaned recently, you'll need a strong cleaning agent to get at the years of buildup.
Never use steel wool with soap, it embeds minute particles of iron and you will never make the rust go away. , It'll be easiest to do the reverse of what you did to get it apart.
Don't over-tighten the screws, especially if they are going into soft plastic.
You may want to give it a quick run to see if everything works like it should. , It will help to prevent food and other debris from building up in there, reducing the need to clean it.
Occasionally run it empty, too
-- on the short, water-saving cycle, of course!, You will get cleaner dishes if the water starts hot.
You can collect the water you run and use it for watering plants or other purposes.
Run the water until what comes out of the tap feels hot.
Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120F (50C) .
Water that is cooler than this won't be very effective for cleaning.
Water that is hotter than this may scald people. , The dishwasher drains into the same pipe as your sink, so that drain must be clear.
If you're experiencing problems with your dishwasher, it may actually be stemming from your garbage disposal.
Here are some applicable reads:
How to Maintain a Garbage Disposal How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal How to Fix a Garbage Disposal , Place 2 cups of vinegar in the bottom of your dishwasher and run it on low, or the energy-saving setting.
Halfway through, stop the dishwasher and let the vinegar soak on the bottom for 15 or 20 minutes.
After the time is up, turn it back on to finish.
If it's really bad, you can let it soak overnight.
If smell is an issue, sprinkle 1/2
- 1 cup of baking soda around the bottom and run the washer as normal., Wipe it down with a sponge or soft cloth.
Pay particular attention to the controls and the handle.
Also, don't miss the little ledge between panels; they tend to collect dirt. , Rinse aid helps to prevent spots on your dishes.
Unscrew the round knob in the dishwasher door and pour in rinse aid according to package directions or your dishwasher's manual.
Don't use rinse aid if you have a water softener.Solid rinse aids are available.
If you forget to refill liquid rinse aid, the solid ones are more visible, so they may help you remember.
If you prefer, some dishwasher detergents now have built-in rinse aid.
About the Author
Jennifer Watson
Writer and educator with a focus on practical pet care knowledge.
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