Your Dishwasher Is Gross. Here’s How to Clean It
This may seem counterintuitive, but even if your dishwasher It needs a good cleaning every now and then. Over time, dirt can build up, affecting its ability to clean dishes and sometimes causing an unpleasant “wet dog” smell. Regular maintenance not only keeps your dishwasher running smoothly, it also ensures your dishes are washed properly and maintained hygienic.
The best part? Cleaning your dishwasher is easy and doesn’t require a lot of effort. Here’s a guide to keeping it fresh, efficient and odor-free, plus tips on how often you should do it.
For more information on dishwashers, check out 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 your dishwasher filter
The filter is where food particles are trapped. A clogged filter can cause overflow, so it’s important to clean it every week or so. It can be found on the floor inside the dishwasher. Simply unscrew the knob and lift the filter out (location and removal will vary depending on the brand, so check your owner’s manual).
Rinse the filter with warm water and dish soap, then give it a good scrub with an old toothbrush. Rinse with clean water and let the filter dry before popping it back into place.
Step 2: Clean the dishwasher seal
The seal keeps water inside the dishwasher instead of on the floor. To keep it clean, scrub the seal with warm water once a month, then wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
Step Three: Unblock the Sprinklers
The spray arms in your dishwasher require maintenance approximately every six months. Use a toothpick to pry any food particles out of the sprayer hole. This will increase the amount of water flowing out, thus enhancing the cleaning power.
Step 4: Take out the contents of the silverware basket
Silverware baskets can quickly become unsanitary. Once a week, remove it and clean it with warm water, a bottle brush, and dish soap. Be sure to remove any food particles that may be stuck in the cup to prevent mold.
Use our tips to keep every part of your dishwasher clean and smelling fresh.
What to do if your dishwasher smells bad
If your dishwasher is starting to smell a little stinky, there’s an easy way to deodorize it. Some say to put a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of an empty dishwasher and run a deep clean cycle – however, Vinegar can damage plastic in dishwasherso you might want to try this approach. Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your washing machine and leave it overnight, then run the dishwasher normally when it’s empty. This should get rid of that nasty wet dog smell.
How often should you clean your dishwasher?
Experts recommend deep cleaning your dishwasher once a month to keep it running efficiently and smelling fresh. If it feels like too much work, aim for at least once every three months. Start by removing and rinsing the filter to remove food debris, then run an empty cycle using dishwasher-safe detergent or baking soda. This simple procedure can prevent dirt build-up, improve performance and eliminate those odors.
One more tip: remove rust from latches
After a few years of heavy use, your dishwasher door lock may start to get a little rusty. To fix this problem, wipe with stainless steel cleaner and steel wool. Rinse the latch and dry it with a cotton cloth. Finally, apply clear nail polish to repel the metal and prevent further rust.
For more information, check out How to properly machine wash sheets and beddingand How to wash pillows without them clumping.
