How to Clean Dishwasher
What You'll Need
- 2 cups
- 1 cup
- 1
- 1
Step-by-Step Method
Remove the bottom rack. Check the drain area at the bottom for food debris. Remove and rinse the filter if your model has a removable one.
Use a damp cloth with a little vinegar to wipe the door edges, gasket seal, and the area around the door. These spots never get washed during a cycle.
Place a dishwasher-safe cup filled with 2 cups of white vinegar on the top rack. Run a hot water cycle on the longest setting. The vinegar breaks down grease, limescale, and odors.
After the vinegar cycle completes, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher. Run a short hot water cycle. This deodorizes and brightens the interior.
- Never use bleach and vinegar in the same cycle
- Do not use regular dish soap in a dishwasher (it will create excessive suds)
- Do not skip the filter cleaning step if your model has a manual filter
- Run the kitchen faucet on hot for 30 seconds before starting a cycle so the dishwasher fills with hot water from the start
- Leave the door slightly ajar after cycles to let moisture escape and prevent mildew
- If your dishwasher has a stainless steel interior, you can add 1/2 cup of citric acid to the vinegar cycle for hard water stains
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually trapped food particles in the filter or drain area. The rubber gasket around the door is another common culprit. Monthly vinegar cycles and regular filter cleaning prevent this.
Run a vinegar cleaning cycle monthly. Clean the filter and door gasket every 2 weeks if you run the dishwasher daily.
Sources & Methodology
Vinegar (acetic acid) dissolves mineral deposits and grease. Baking soda neutralizes odors through chemical absorption.
Last reviewed: March 20, 2026