How to Clean a Dishwasher to Remove Buildup and Soap Scum

How to Clean a Dishwasher

Cleaning your smelly dishwasher doesn't take much and doesn't need to be done very often. In fact, monthly cleaning can keep your dishwasher looking like new and running well.

How to Clean a Dishwasher Door

1. Clean the Dishwasher Exterior

   Keep the dishwasher door fingerprint-free 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 little rubbing alcohol on a soft, dry cloth.

2. Clean Inside the Dishwasher Door

   Open the dishwasher door so you can get at 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 scrubbing with abrasive cleanser if there is a lot of buildup. Wipe up the resulting grime with a household sponge dipped in hot soapy water. Wipe away any cleaning solution left behind with a clean, wet sponge.

How to Clean a Dishwasher Tub

Clean out your dishwasher's tub to remove the biggest culprits for odors.

1. Remove Debris

   Use a handful of paper towels to grab any debris from the base of the dishwasher. You'll find most of the debris around the drain.

2. 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: simply 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.

3. Wipe out the Inside

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

   In place of vinegar, you can put a packet of unsweetened lemonade mix in the soap cup. Learn how to clean your dishwasher with baking soda, too, by sprinkling a cup of it on the bottom of the tub. For either method, run a complete cycle using the hottest water possible. Each will help clean and freshen your dishwasher.

How to Clean Dishwasher Accessories and Parts

Clean the dishwasher accessories and parts. Take out the racks and utensil holders. Wipe off any stuck-on food particles or other debris. Scrub the spray arm with a soft brush or toothbrush to remove clogs.

How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter

1. Remove and Clean the Filter

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

2. Clean Under the 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. (Don't have the manual? Many manufacturers have them available on their websites.)

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.

1. 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 into the soap dispenser cup in your dishwasher and sprinkle some freely on the bottom. Run the empty dishwasher through a complete cleaning cycle.

2. 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 on a regular basis unless you take care of the problems at their source. You might also want to ask a plumbing contractor to install a filter that can help with rust control.

How to Eliminate Hard Water and Mineral Buildup in a Dishwasher

Depending on the type of water you have, your dishwasher may be susceptible to hard water deposits or mineral buildup.

1. Run Dishwasher with Lemon Juice

   Cleaning with lemon can work wonders. Place a cup of lemon juice in the top rack or basket of your dishwasher 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 doing a thorough 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.