Keeping your dishwasher clean is essential for getting spotless dishes and extending the life of your appliance. Over time, grease, food debris, hard water deposits, and soap scum can build up, leading to fouled odors and poor performance. That’s why it’s important to do a deep cleaning of your dishwasher every few months.
In this comprehensive guide, we provide tips and step-by-step instructions for DIY dishwasher cleaning. Read on to learn why cleaning your dishwasher matters, what supplies you’ll need, how to thoroughly clean the interior and exterior, maintenance tips, safety precautions, and more. With just a little time and effort, you can have your dishwasher looking and smelling fresh again.
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Understanding the Importance of Deep Cleaning
Before we dive into the cleaning process, let’s look at why deep cleaning your dishwasher is so important:
Enhances Cleaning Performance
Grime, food debris, soap buildup, and hard water deposits all negatively impact your dishwasher’s cleaning performance. Over time, the spray arms can get clogged, preventing water from adequately reaching and cleaning dishes. Deep cleaning clears out any obstructions, so your dishwasher can work like new again.
Extends Dishwasher Lifespan
Regular deep cleaning, combined with proper care and maintenance can significantly extend the lifespan of your dishwasher. It prevents issues like mold growth, clogged pumps, and malfunctioning parts down the line. The small time investment pays off!
Eliminates Odors
Grease deposits, leftover food, soap scum, and mold can all lead to unpleasant odors emanating from your dishwasher. A thorough deep clean tackles odor sources and leaves your appliance smelling fresh. No more embarrassment when guests use your kitchen!
Improves Dish Drying
Hard water spots, soap residue, and minerals left behind can lead to spots and film on dishes, even after the wash cycle finishes. Deep cleaning to remove buildup helps dishes thoroughly rinse and dry without residue or water spots.
Common Dishwasher Cleaning Issues
To understand why deep cleaning is so crucial, let’s look at some of the most common dishwasher issues caused by soils and buildup:
- Cloudy residue or spots on dishes – This typically occurs due to hard water deposits, soap scum buildup, or high mineral content in water. Deep cleaning helps remove the residue sources.
- Water pooling at the bottom – Food debris and grease can clog drains and prevent proper water drainage after cycles finish. Cleaning clears obstructions.
- Bad odors – Old food and grease that gets trapped can create foul smells. A thorough deep clean removes the stinky grime.
- Noisy operation – A buildup of hard water deposits and food debris can cause moving parts like pumps and spray arms to make loud noises due to friction. Cleaning lubricates parts.
- Leaking water – Grease buildup around door seals can lead to water leakage. Cleaning and conditioning seals prevents leaks.
- Longer wash cycles – When spray arms have reduced mobility from gunk buildup, wash cycles run longer trying to compensate. Cleaning removes obstructions.
Regular deep cleaning prevents all these headaches!
Preparing for Deep Cleaning
Before starting the deep cleaning process, gather the following supplies:
- White vinegar or dishwasher cleaning solution
- Baking soda
- Lemon juice (optional)
- Old toothbrush or other soft bristle brush
- Microfiber cloths
- Rubber gloves
- Bucket
- Dishwasher safe container (if using cleaning solution)
Make sure you carefully read through the entire cleaning process before getting started. Some key prep tips:
- Remove all dishes, utensils, racks, filters, etc. prior to cleaning. You want full access to all dishwasher surfaces.
- Give the dishwasher interior a quick wipe down with a dry cloth to remove loose debris before cleaning.
- For heavily soiled dishwashers, run an empty Normal or Heavy cycle before cleaning to loosen up built-up grime.
- Never use harsh chemicals like bleach or abrasive cleansers as they can damage your dishwasher.
Okay, let’s get cleaning!
Step-by-Step Deep Cleaning Process
Follow these key steps to thoroughly deep clean both the interior and exterior of your dishwasher:
Clear Out Debris
- Remove the bottom rack first. Use a container to scoop out any water or debris pooled at the bottom.
- Check under and around the bottom spray arm. Spin the spray arm manually while looking for blocks. Use tweezers or needle nose pliers to remove obstructions if needed.
- Remove the filter at the bottom of the tub and give it a thorough rinse under hot water to remove any food particles. Use an old toothbrush to dislodge any stuck bits.
Tip: Check your dishwasher manual on how to properly remove your model’s filter.
- Remove the top rack next and set all removable parts aside. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away any debris, food, or grime from the sides and top of the interior before cleaning.
Wash Interior With Dishwasher Cleaner or Vinegar
- Read your dishwasher manual first if using a premade dishwasher cleaning solution. Fill the detergent cup or dishwasher-safe container with the cleaner. Place it in the lower rack or bottom of the tub, per your cleaner’s instructions.
- For a DIY approach, fill a dishwasher-safe measuring cup with 2 cups white vinegar. Place this in the bottom rack.
- Run a Normal cycle while empty to distribute the cleaner or vinegar thoroughly. Allow the dishwasher to complete the entire cycle.
Tip: White vinegar works to break down any grease and grime buildup. It also helps remove hard water spots and other mineral deposits.
Sprinkle With Baking Soda
- Sprinkle 1⁄2-1 cup baking soda evenly onto the bottom of the empty dishwasher tub once the wash cycle finishes.
- Run another Normal cycle while empty to distribute and activate the baking soda solution.
Tip: The baking soda works to absorb tough odors and freshen your dishwasher.
Hand Scrub With Vinegar Paste
- In a small bowl, make a paste with 1⁄4 cup white vinegar and 1 TBSP baking soda.
- Dip an old toothbrush or dish scrubber into the paste. Gently scrub the interior including the door, racks, bottom, sides, spray arms, and around the gaskets and seals.
Do not scrub too vigorously as it can damage your dishwasher surface.
- Use a small screwdriver if needed to dislodge debris clogging the spray arm jets. Rinse all parts thoroughly afterward.
Tip: The vinegar paste helps dissolve soap scum, hard water stains, and stuck-on gunk, while cleaning grooves and crevices.
Clean and Condition Seals
- Mix a solution of 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup warm water. Dip microfiber cloths into the solution to clean the residue off the door seals and gaskets.
- Rinse the seals with a clean damp microfiber cloth afterwards. Wipe thoroughly dry with a clean lint-free cloth.
- Apply a thin gloss of olive oil or coconut oil to condition the door seals once fully dried.
Tip: Cleaning and conditioning the seals helps prevent leaks and also improves longevity.
Disinfect Interior
- In a spray bottle combine 2 cups water, 1⁄4 cup lemon juice, and 1 TBSP of borax powder. Shake vigorously to dissolve the ingredients and mix the solution.
- Thoroughly spray the interior tub, racks, parts, seals, and corners until coated with solution.
- Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping everything down using clean microfiber cloths and warm water.
Tip: The natural disinfecting properties in this solution kill bacteria leaving a fresh lemon scent.
Clean Exterior Surface
- Mix a cleansing solution of 1⁄2 cup warm water and just a couple of drops of dish soap in a bowl.
- Dip cleaning cloths into solution and wipe down the exterior surface including the door front, handle, control panel, and sides.
- Buff dry completely with a clean soft towel. Use a toothbrush or cotton swabs to gently clean around buttons, cracks and the control panel surface.
Tip: Make sure electrical parts are fully dried to prevent damage or malfunction.
And that completes the deep cleaning process!
Maintenance Tips
To keep your dishwasher maintained after deep cleaning:
- Monthly baking soda cycle – Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda directly on the tub floor and run empty Normal cycle
- Monthly vinegar rinse – Fill detergent cup with 2 cups white vinegar and run empty
- Leave the door open – Improve ventilation and prevent mold growth
- Handwash removable parts – Use warm water and vinegar monthly
- Inspect seals – Keep seals and door area clean and conditioned
- Filter care – Rinse filters regularly to keep debris-free
Dishwasher Cleaning Safety
While cleaning your dishwasher, follow these precautions:
- Disconnect power before cleaning around electrical parts
- Wear rubber gloves while cleaning
- Never mix cleaning solutions, can cause dangerous chemical reactions
- Rinse the surface thoroughly if using citrus or acidic cleaners
- Avoid using bleach, ammonia, alcohol, or abrasive cleansers
- Read the dishwasher manual for model-specific guidelines
Also Read: DIY Guide: How to Fix a Leaky Dishwasher
Conclusion
We hope this guide gives you everything you need to get your dishwasher sparkling clean again! Remember that deep cleaning every few months keeps your appliance in peak condition for optimal efficiency.
Use the step-by-step instructions to tackle built-up grime, grease, odors, and hard water stains lurking in your dishwasher. Conducting a thorough deep clean improves performance, dish quality, and machine lifespan, and eliminates embarrassing odors.
Be sure to follow the maintenance tips afterward to keep your dishwasher fresh between deep cleans. Consistently removing debris and food, wiping seals, and doing mini-cleans with vinegar and baking soda makes regular deep cleaning much easier.
Finally, adhere to all appliance manual directions and cleaning precautions to safely revitalize your dishwasher. With some time and elbow grease, you can remove hidden gunk keeping your dishwasher from working like new again. Just follow these tips for sparkling clean dishware!