It may seem counterintuitive, but even your dishwasher needs a good cleaning every now and then. Over time, grime can build up, affecting how well it cleans your dishes and sometimes causing an unpleasant “wet dog” smell. Regular maintenance will not only keep your dishwasher running smoothly, but it will also help keep your dishes properly cleaned and sanitary.
The best part? Cleaning your dishwasher is simple and doesn’t require much effort. Here’s our guide on how to keep it fresh, efficient, and odor-free, along with tips on how often you should do it.
For more information about dishwashers, check here The correct way to load a dishwasher. For more kitchen cleaning tips, learn how to clean a stand mixer, how to clean a blender, and how to clean a cast iron skillet.
How to Clean a Dishwasher
Step 1: Clean the dishwasher filter
The filter is where food waste is filtered out. Clogged filters can overflow, so it’s important to clean them weekly. You can find it on the bottom inside the dishwasher. Simply loosen the handle and lift the filter. (Location and removal method vary by brand, so check your owner’s manual.)
Rinse the filter with warm water and dish soap and scrub it well with an old toothbrush. Rinse with clean water, let the filter air dry and replace it in place.
Step 2: Clean the dishwasher seal
The seal is responsible for keeping water inside the dishwasher and not on the floor. To keep it clean, clean the seal with warm water once a month and wipe it with a clean, dry cloth.
Step 3: Unblock the water sprayer
Your dishwasher’s spray gun needs some maintenance every six months. Use a toothpick to pry any food particles out of the spray hole. This increases the amount of water coming out and increases cleaning power.
Step 4: Remove the chunks from the silverware basket.
Silverware baskets can quickly become unhygienic. Remove it once a week and wash it with warm water, a bottle brush, and dish detergent. Be sure to remove any food particles that may be trapped inside the cup to prevent mold.
Use these tips to keep all parts of your dishwasher clean and smelling fresh.
What should I do if my dishwasher smells?
If your dishwasher starts to smell a little, there are easy ways to deodorize it. Some people say to add a cup of white vinegar to the bottom of an empty dishwasher and give it a deep clean. Vinegar can damage plastic in your dishwasherSo you might want to try this method instead. Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the washing machine, let it sit overnight, then run regular laundry while the dishwasher is empty. This will get rid of that awful wet dog smell.
How often should I clean my dishwasher?
Experts recommend deep cleaning your dishwasher once a month to keep it running efficiently and smelling fresh. If this feels like too much work, aim for at least once every three months. First, remove and rinse the filter to remove any food particles, then run an empty cycle using dishwasher-safe detergent or baking soda. This simple routine can prevent grime build-up, improve performance and keep funky odors at bay.
Another tip: Remove rust from latches.
After a few years of diligent use, your dishwasher door latch may start to rust a little. To fix this, scrub with a stainless steel cleanser and steel wool. Rinse the clasp and buff it dry with a cotton cloth. To finish, coat it with clear nail polish to waterproof the metal and prevent further rust.
For more information, please see: How to machine wash sheets and bedding the right wayand How to wash pillows without lumps.
