How to Clean a Dishwasher the Right Way, According to a Cleaning Pro
These expert-approved tips and tricks will keep your machine in good shape.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Your dishwasher is one of the hardest-working appliances in your kitchen, so it's important to keep it free from grease and grime. Everything from food particles to detergent can easily build up in your appliance over time, which can impact its performance and cause it to emit an unpleasant odor. That's why experts say it's best to stick to a regular cleaning schedule.
“Many dishwasher cleaning problems can be prevented with a few minutes of routine maintenance,” says Noah Pinsonnault, the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care & Cleaning Reviews Analyst. “Keeping the filter, door gasket, and other key components clean helps your dishwasher perform more effectively and can extend the life of the appliance.”
Get into the habit of rinsing your dishwasher's filter every week, and aim to deep clean the machine on a monthly basis. Other cleaning tasks, like running a cycle with vinegar and wiping down the door gasket, are good ideas, too.
Take a look below for more advice from Pinsonnault, who regularly tests dishwashers, dishwasher detergents, and dishwasher cleaners in the GH Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab.
Put detergent packs directly in the dispenser.
If you’ve ever been tempted to place a detergent pack in the bottom of your dishwasher, think again. In order to clean your dishes properly, they should always be placed in the detergent dispenser.
“The dispenser releases the detergent during the main wash, when it's needed most,” says Pinsonnault. “If you toss the pack into the bottom of the dishwasher, it can dissolve during the prewash and get flushed away before the main wash even starts.”
Clean out bits of food daily.
Food debris lingering at the bottom of your dishwasher is the most common cause of bad odors. Take a few minutes after each dishwashing cycle to check for any remaining bits of food, paper, or small items that could have gotten stuck in the filter well or screen. Remove any reside with a paper towel to help prevent buildup.
Expert tip: To prevent a smelly dishwasher, wipe excess food from all items—silverware, bowls, plates, etc.—before loading the dishwasher. If you don't plan to run a cycle immediately, rinse dishes at the sink or run a rinse-only cycle. Always remove any labels or stickers from jars you may be reusing before running a cycle.
Wipe door and door gasket weekly.
Prevent odors, mold, and bacteria growth by regularly wiping the dishwasher's interior, including the door, door gasket, and dispenser. You may also notice greasy residue or splatters on the handle or the dishwasher control buttons. Quickly wipe these areas with a damp microfiber cloth or sponge. Pay attention to the dispenser for any debris or undissolved detergent.
As for the door gasket and dispenser, gently scrub any gunk from the rubber seal around the door using an old soft toothbrush dipped in either warm, sudsy water or a mild all-purpose cleaner.
Clean the dishwasher filter weekly.
Every dishwasher has a filter typically found below the bottom spray arm—you'll need to pull out the bottom rack to reach it. If you're not sure how to find or remove it, check the owner's manual or manufacturer's website for details.
- Unlock and remove the filter and rinse it under hot running water. You can also swish it in warm sudsy water.
- Using a soft toothbrush, scrub the mesh screen and plastic frame to remove any grease or particles stuck in the crevices. Then rinse it clean.
- Lock the filter back into place.
Expert Tip: Never operate your dishwasher without the filter properly locked, as you can cause severe damage to your machine and possibly void the warranty.
Run a cleaning cycle monthly.
Consider this a monthly deep clean to remove any trapped particles, mineral buildup, or detergent residue hiding in your machine's internal parts and spray arms. Dishwasher cleaners, like Good Housekeeping Seal Star Cascade, are an easy fix, as they contain surfactants that dissolve and clean away trapped food bits and greasy residue. Use them according to the label's directions.
Expert Tip: Check the instructions before using any commercial dishwasher cleaner. Most require an empty dishwasher, but some can be used in the same cycle with dishes and detergent for even more convenient cleaning.
Polish your dishwasher's exterior as needed.
Fingerprints make any surface look dull and grimy, but they really stand out on stainless steel appliances. Use a stainless steel cleaner made specifically for appliances, like GH Seal Star Weiman, to shine up your dishwasher door and give it a protective finish. Not only does the cleaner leave behind a streak-free shine, but it also contains ingredients to help repel future dirt and smudges.
Expert Tip: Stay away from abrasive cleaners or pads that can scratch and mar your dishwasher's exterior. Always clean and wipe stainless steel in the direction of the metal's grain to avoid streaks.
How often to clean your dishwasher
Most people run a cleaning cycle once per month, but the frequency of cleaning your dishwasher may vary if you run a cycle more or less often. Assuming you run a load every day, here are the things to do daily, weekly, and monthly:
- Daily or after every load: Remove visible bits of food from inside the filter well and the bottom of the dishwasher.
- Weekly: Wipe down the door edges and gasket to get rid of any debris, and remove and clean the filter.
- Monthly: Deep-clean the interior with a cleaning cycle.
- As needed: Wipe the exterior, edges, and interior of drips, spots, and film.
Can you deep-clean your dishwasher with vinegar?
You can fight residue and buildup with white vinegar in an empty dishwasher.
- To clean your dishwasher with vinegar, place a dishwasher-safe bowl filled with one cup of distilled white vinegar on the top rack and run a pots-and-pans or heavy (hot) cycle without detergent or dishes.
- To clean your dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda for extra freshening, after running the vinegar cycle, sprinkle a cup of baking soda in the bottom of your empty dishwasher and run a short or quick cycle.
Can you clean your dishwasher with bleach?
No, bleach and bleach-containing cleaners are not recommended, especially if the dishwasher has a stainless steel interior. Some dishwasher detergents contain bleach, but that's to remove tea and coffee stains from cups and other dinnerware. And do not use bleach with vinegar—the combination of the two can create potentially lethal chlorine gas.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
7 Ways to Simplify Holiday Hosting Cleanup
The Best Clothes Steamers
9 Spots You’re Forgetting to Clean in Your Home
Why Your House Is Always Dusty, According to Pros
