How to Deep Clean a Dishwasher
Published July 25, 2025 · Updated March 1, 2026
A cloudy-glasses problem, funky odor, or food redepositing on dishes are all signs your dishwasher needs cleaning. A monthly 60-minute deep clean restores performance and extends the machine's life significantly.
What You'll Need
🛠 Tools
📦 Materials
Step-by-Step Instructions
Empty and Inspect the Dishwasher
Remove all dishes and utensils. Pull both racks out completely. Check rack tine coatings for chips — exposed metal rusts and stains dishes. Small plastic tine repair kits are available for $5 and take 10 minutes to apply.
Remove and Clean the Filter
Locate the filter under the bottom rack at the base of the spray arm — it's usually a cylindrical filter that twists counterclockwise and lifts out, often with a flat mesh screen beneath it. Rinse under hot running water, then scrub both pieces with a toothbrush and dish soap until completely clean. Reinstall before running any cycles.
Most people don't know dishwashers have a removable filter. A clogged filter is the cause of approximately 80% of "dishwasher stopped cleaning well" complaints. Clean it monthly.
If the filter looks cracked or the mesh is torn, order a replacement filter from the dishwasher manufacturer's parts site. A damaged filter lets food debris recirculate onto dishes.
Wipe Down Interior Walls and Door
Use a damp cloth with a little dish soap to wipe down the interior side walls, door interior, and any interior hardware. Pay special attention to the bottom corners of the door where food splatters accumulate. For hard water buildup (white or grey chalky deposits), use a cloth soaked in undiluted white vinegar.
Deep Clean the Door Gasket
Pull back the rubber gasket around the door opening and clean thoroughly inside the fold with an old toothbrush. This hidden area is a prime location for mold and mildew that causes musty odors. Dip the brush in a mixture of warm water and white vinegar for extra cleaning power.
Gasket mold is the most common cause of "my dishwasher smells." If the gasket is cracked, stiff, or peeling, replace it — it's a $20-40 part that restores the door seal. A failing gasket allows water to leak out during cycles.
Clean the Spray Arms
Remove the lower and upper spray arms (usually snap off or unscrew at the center). Hold them up to the light and check each water jet hole. Use a toothpick to clear any blocked holes — mineral deposits and food bits are common. Rinse under hot water and check that the arms spin freely before reinstalling.
Run a Vinegar Cycle
Place a dishwasher-safe cup or bowl filled with 1-2 cups of white vinegar upright on the top rack. Run the hottest, longest wash cycle available (no detergent). The vinegar disperses gradually throughout the cycle, dissolving mineral deposits, cutting grease buildup, and deodorizing the entire interior.
Place vinegar in an open cup on the top rack, not in the detergent dispenser. Putting it in the dispenser releases it all at once at the start of the cycle — you want gradual distribution.
Run a Baking Soda Cycle
After the vinegar cycle completes and cools slightly, sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda directly on the bottom of the empty dishwasher. Run a short hot wash cycle (no detergent). Baking soda neutralizes any remaining odors, provides gentle scrubbing action on the interior, and leaves a fresh smell.
Clean the Exterior and Air It Out
Wipe down the exterior door with appropriate cleaner for the finish: stainless steel cleaner for stainless, mild soapy water for painted surfaces. Clean control panel buttons with a barely-damp cloth — never spray cleaner directly onto controls. Leave the door slightly ajar for at least 30 minutes to allow the interior to dry completely.
Leaving the dishwasher door slightly ajar between cycles (when not running) allows the interior to dry out and prevents mold and odor buildup. This one habit prevents 90% of dishwasher odor problems.
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