How to Clean a Dishwasher to Remove Buildup and Soap Scum

Your dishwasher needs routine cleaning just like other kitchen appliances. Not only does the door attract fingerprints every time you load it with dirty dishes, but the interior (especially the corners and crevices) accumulates residue of food particles, grease, and soap scum. These deposits look bad and can lead to stinky dishwasher odors. Learn how to clean a dishwasher, including the door, tub, filter, and accessories, to prevent mineral deposits and get rid of grime.

How to Clean a Dishwasher

Cleaning your smelly dishwasher doesn’t take much and doesn’t need to be done very often. Monthly cleaning can keep your dishwasher looking like new and running well.

What You’ll Need:

• Soft cloth
• Toothbrush
• Paper towels
• Warm, sudsy water
• Rubbing alcohol
• Vinegar
• Rust-removing laundry detergent
• Lemon juice

Step 1: Clean the Dishwasher Door

Clean the Dishwasher Door Exterior. The best way to clean a dishwasher door’s exterior and keep it fingerprint-free is by wiping the outside with warm, sudsy water. Or use a homemade dishwasher cleaner. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 quart of water. Avoid harsh cleansers or too-tough scouring pads that might scratch the dishwasher’s finish. When the door is clean, wipe it dry with a soft cloth. Wipe away tricky fingerprints and smudges with a bit of rubbing alcohol on a soft, dry cloth.

Clean the Dishwasher Door Interior. Open the dishwasher door so you can get to its top and sides. Dip a small toothbrush in hot, soapy water, and scrub around the door. Make sure you dig into the grooves of the rubber seal and any other crevices, including the hinges. This step might require gentle cleaning with an abrasive cleanser if there’s a lot of buildup. Wipe up the grime with a household sponge dipped in hot soapy water. Wipe away any cleaning solution left behind with a clean, wet sponge.

Step 2: Clean the Dishwasher Tub

Clean out your dishwasher’s tub to remove the biggest causes of odors.

Remove Debris. Use a handful of paper towels to remove any debris from the base of the dishwasher. You’ll find most of the debris around the drain.

Run the Dishwasher. Once the debris is removed, you’ll want to run a cycle to clean the dishwasher. (It should be run empty.) You can use one of several DIY dishwasher cleaners. Here’s how to clean a dishwasher with vinegar: set a dishwasher-safe cup of plain white vinegar on the top rack. Then run a full cycle, choosing the hottest water possible to disinfect the unit while it’s being cleaned.

Wipe the Inside. When the cycle is done, wipe out the inside of the dishwasher with paper towels or a clean, dry cloth.

Step 3: Clean Dishwasher Accessories and Parts

Remove Parts. Take out the racks and utensil holders. Wipe off any stuck-on food particles or other debris.

Clean Out Clogs. Scrub the spray arm with a soft brush or toothbrush to remove clogs.

Step 4: Clean the Dishwasher Filter

Remove and Clean the Filter. To access the dishwasher filter, pull the bottom rack out. The filter is usually located in one of the bottom back corners of the appliance. If your filter is removable, twist it to remove it from the dishwasher and rinse under hot running water to remove food particles and other debris.

Clean Under Filter. Wipe out the area beneath the filter inside the dishwasher with a damp cloth, sponge, or toothbrush. Once clean, add the clean dishwasher filter back into place.

Note that filters vary greatly across appliances. Refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to clean your dishwasher filter.

How to Remove Dishwasher Rust Stains

Depending upon your water source and the state of your pipes, you might see mineral or rust stains inside your dishwasher.

Run Empty Dishwasher. Check the laundry detergent section of your home center for products that remove rust stains from clothing or appliances. Place the product in your dishwasher’s soap dispenser cup and sprinkle some freely on the bottom. Run the empty dishwasher through a complete cleaning cycle.

Remediate Rust Problems. Since the source of rust stains is systemic (e.g., your water comes from a private well or your home’s pipes are rusty), you will likely need to repeat this process regularly unless you take care of the problems at their source. You might also want to ask a plumbing contractor to install a filter to help with rust control.

How to Eliminate Hard Water and Mineral Buildup

Depending on your water type, your dishwasher may be susceptible to hard water deposits or mineral buildup. Place a cup of lemon juice in your dishwasher’s top rack or basket and run a normal cycle. The acidic lemon juice will work to remove hard water spots and iron buildup.

The best way to clean a dishwasher is by thoroughly cleaning once a month and tackling smudges and splatters on the exterior as they happen.

How to Clean a Dishwasher with Natural Ingredients

You don’t have to head to the store to pick up the ingredients you need for cleaning a dishwasher—they’re likely already in your pantry! These natural dishwasher cleaners do the job well without harsh chemicals or odors.

White Vinegar

Use white vinegar to clean the tub of your dishwasher. Place a cup in the middle of the top rack and fill it with vinegar. Run a dishwasher cycle on high heat, and wipe dry when done. You can also try this with lemon juice to remove water spots.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol can be used to clean the dishwasher exterior. Clean your dishwasher door and handle by adding rubbing alcohol to a clean microfiber cloth and wiping away fingerprints. If your dishwasher has plastic buttons, avoid scrubbing with acidic natural cleaners like vinegar, as they can break down the material.

Baking Soda

 Baking soda works wonders as a natural cleaning agent. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher tub before running a hot washing cycle.