Your Go-To Guide for How to Clean a Dishwasher

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Fresh-smelling fridge? Check! Grime-free garbage disposal? Check! Next up on your kitchen-cleaning tour: the dishwasher. Dishwashers are powerful kitchen workhorses, but removing all of that stuck-on food, grease, and debris can take its toll on even the best appliances. To keep your machine functioning at its best, it’s vital to clean it regularly. Not only will knowing how to clean inside of a dishwasher ensure that your appliance lasts as long as possible, it’ll help keep your dishes, utensils, and glassware sanitary and sparkling.

We recommend running a cycle once a month with a product specifically designed to clean your dishwasher. Then every three to six months, follow our step-by-step guide below for how to deep clean a dishwasher, keeping in mind our tips for how to clean a dishwasher filter, how to clean a dishwasher with vinegar, and more. Keep reading for everything you need to know to give your dishwasher the love and attention it deserves.

Materials

• Household cleaning gloves
• Small cleaning brush or crevice tool 
• Microfiber cleaning cloths
• Dish soap
• Multipurpose cleaning spray and/or stainless steel cleaner
• Toothpicks

Instructions

Before you do anything, check your dishwasher’s owner’s manual first, and follow all provided cleaning guidelines—you don’t want to accidentally damage your machine in the process of trying to clean it!

1. Remove the racks: Take out all racks, flatware baskets, and removable parts, and set them aside.
2. Tackle the drain: When it comes to how to clean a dishwasher drain, we recommend putting on your household cleaning gloves and removing any food or debris that might be blocking the drain by hand.
3. Scrub the filter, inside and out: Locate the filter (it’s usually at the bottom of the dishwasher, but if you can’t find it, consult your owner’s manual or search online). Remove it, take it apart, and rinse all parts in the sink under warm running water. Scrub the parts with dish soap and a soft cleaning brush, using a small cleaning brush to get grime out of hard-to-reach spots, and rinse again. Wipe off any excess moisture (no need to dry thoroughly), and snap the filter back in its place.
4. Clean the spray arms: Use a toothpick to ensure that none of the holes on the spray arms are clogged. Wipe down the arms with a microfiber cloth dampened with warm, soapy water. 
5. Clean the interior: Wipe down the interior walls and surfaces of the machine with warm, soapy water. For wheels and runners, do the same with a soft cleaning brush or crevice tool. Be sure to clean inside the soap compartment, between the folds of the gaskets, and around the latches. 
6. Turn back to the racks and baskets: Wipe down all surfaces of the racks and baskets with warm soapy water, paying particular attention to stuck-on residue. Put every piece back in its place or on its track.
7. Wipe down the exterior: Close the dishwasher door, and use a multipurpose cleaner (or stainless steel cleaner) and a microfiber cloth to wipe down all exterior surfaces, including the control panel and handle.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Amy Gordon

Amy Gordon is a freelance writer and editor who splits her time between New York, NY and Vieques, PR. When she’s not at her desk, you’ll probably find her on a plane with her nose in a book, in the Caribbean snorkeling through coral reefs, or on the couch watching true crime TV. Learn more and read her work at www.amygordonmedia.com.

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