You probably use your dishwasher every day or every few days, but have you ever stopped to think about cleaning it? You might think the dishwasher cleans itself since it washes your dirty dishes. But the truth is, dishwashers can get dirty and smelly if you don’t clean them often. Cleaning your dishwasher helps it work better, last longer, and keeps your dishes super clean. In this article, I’ll tell you how often you should clean your dishwasher and how to do it step-by-step.
Why You Need to Clean Your Dishwasher Regularly
Many people don’t realize that dishwashers can get gunk, grease, and food stuck inside. Over time, this build-up can cause problems that make your dishwasher less effective. When your dishwasher is dirty, your dishes may come out with spots, smell bad, or even have leftover bits of food. This happens because the machine is not cleaning well.
How Dirt and Grease Build Up
Dishwashers use water and soap to clean dishes, but small bits of food, grease, and soap scum can stay inside the machine. These can get stuck in the filters, spray arms, or door seals. If these parts get clogged, water won’t flow properly, and your dishwasher will struggle to clean.
The Problem With Bad Smells
When food bits stay inside the dishwasher, they can rot and cause bad smells. This can make your kitchen smell unpleasant. Cleaning the dishwasher removes these smells and keeps your home fresh.
Why Cleaning Helps Your Dishwasher Last Longer
Just like your car needs oil changes, your dishwasher needs cleaning to keep working well. Dirt and grime can wear down parts, and if you don’t clean it, you may need to repair or replace your dishwasher sooner. Regular cleaning keeps it running smoothly and saves you money.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher? The Easy Schedule
So, how often should you clean your dishwasher? The answer depends on how much you use it and what kind of dishes you wash. But here is a simple plan to keep your dishwasher fresh and working well.
Cleaning the Filter Every Week or Two
Most dishwashers have a filter that catches food bits. This filter needs to be cleaned often because it gets dirty fast. If you use your dishwasher every day, try cleaning the filter once every one or two weeks. If you use it less, once a month might be enough.
Cleaning the filter is easy: open the dishwasher, take out the bottom rack, and find the filter at the bottom. Twist it out, rinse it under warm water, and put it back.
Monthly Deep Clean With Vinegar or Dishwasher Cleaner
Once a month, it is good to do a deep clean. You can use white vinegar or a dishwasher cleaner from the store. To clean with vinegar, put a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl on the top rack. Run a hot water cycle. This helps remove grease and odors.
If you use a dishwasher cleaner, follow the instructions on the package. These cleaners are made to get rid of hard water spots, soap scum, and grease.
Cleaning the Door and Seals Every Month
The door and seals can get moldy or dirty from water and food. Wipe them down with a damp cloth and mild soap every month to keep them clean. Check for any cracks or damage to the seals, because broken seals can let water leak out.
After Big Jobs or Heavy Use
If you cook and wash lots of oily or sticky dishes, you might need to clean your dishwasher more often. For example, after a big holiday meal, clean the filter and run a deep cleaning cycle. This helps keep grease and food from building up too much.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Your Dishwasher Like a Pro
Now that you know when to clean your dishwasher, let’s talk about how to do it right. Here is a simple step-by-step guide anyone can follow.
Step 1: Clean the Filter
Start by removing the bottom rack. Find the filter (it usually looks like a small basket). Take it out carefully and rinse it under warm water. Use a soft brush or cloth to scrub away any stuck food or grease. If your filter is very dirty, soak it in warm soapy water for 10 minutes before rinsing.
Step 2: Check and Clean Spray Arms
Spray arms have small holes where water sprays out. These holes can get clogged with food or minerals from hard water. Remove the spray arms if your dishwasher lets you, and rinse them under water. Use a toothpick or small brush to clean out the holes carefully.
Step 3: Wipe Down the Door and Seals
Use a soft cloth or sponge with warm soapy water to clean the door edges, seals, and the inside rim. Mold and grime often hide here. Be gentle but thorough. Don’t forget to clean the outside of the dishwasher door too!
Step 4: Run a Vinegar Cycle
Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl on the top rack. Run the dishwasher on the hottest cycle. The vinegar will break down grease, remove smells, and clean the inside.
Step 5: Baking Soda Rinse
After the vinegar cycle, sprinkle a cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher. Run a short hot water cycle. Baking soda helps remove stains and freshen the machine.
Step 6: Clean the Drain Area
Look inside the bottom of the dishwasher for any food or debris blocking the drain. Remove any gunk by hand or with a soft brush. A blocked drain can cause water to stay in the dishwasher and cause smells.
Step 7: Maintain With Regular Wipes
Once a week or two, wipe down the door and controls with a damp cloth to keep dust and grime away.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your dishwasher may not seem fun, but it’s very important. If you clean it regularly, your dishwasher will work better, your dishes will come out sparkling clean, and your kitchen will smell fresh. Try to clean the filter every week or two, do a deep clean once a month, and wipe the door and seals often. With these easy steps, you can keep your dishwasher happy and your dishes spotless for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it necessary to clean the dishwasher filter every week?
Yes, cleaning the dishwasher filter every week or two is very important. The filter catches all the food particles during the wash cycle. If you don’t clean it, food and grease build up and block water flow. This makes the dishwasher less effective and can cause bad smells. A dirty filter can also make your dishwasher parts wear out faster. Cleaning the filter is simple and takes just a few minutes. Regular cleaning keeps your dishwasher working well and your dishes clean.
Can I use vinegar to clean my dishwasher?
Yes, vinegar is a natural and safe way to clean your dishwasher. It helps break down grease, remove odors, and clear away hard water deposits. To clean with vinegar, place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the top rack and run a hot cycle. Vinegar works well to refresh your dishwasher and keep it smelling fresh without using harsh chemicals. However, don’t use vinegar too often because its acidity can damage rubber seals over time. Once a month is enough.
Do I need to clean the dishwasher spray arms?
Yes, cleaning the spray arms is important to keep your dishwasher working properly. The spray arms have small holes that spray water onto your dishes. These holes can get clogged with food particles or mineral deposits. If clogged, water won’t spray well, and your dishes won’t get clean. You can remove the spray arms (check your manual) and rinse them with warm water. Use a toothpick or small brush to clear the holes if needed. Cleaning spray arms once a month keeps water flowing freely.
Is it okay to use commercial dishwasher cleaners?
Yes, commercial dishwasher cleaners are safe and effective when used as directed. These cleaners are made to remove hard water spots, soap scum, and grease build-up inside your dishwasher. They are a good choice if you want a quick and easy deep clean. Just follow the instructions on the package. Usually, you run the cleaner on an empty dishwasher during a hot cycle. Using a commercial cleaner once a month helps keep your dishwasher in top shape.
Can I skip cleaning the dishwasher if I run it often?
No, running the dishwasher often does not mean it cleans itself. Even if you use it daily, food particles, grease, and soap scum still build up inside. Without regular cleaning, these build-ups cause bad smells and reduce cleaning power. Cleaning the filter, spray arms, and running vinegar or cleaner cycles are needed to keep your dishwasher working well. So, even with frequent use, you must clean it regularly.
Do I need to clean the door seals of the dishwasher?
Yes, the door seals collect water, food, and mold if not cleaned. These seals keep water from leaking out during the wash cycle. Over time, mold and grime can build up on the seals, causing bad smells and reducing the seal’s effectiveness. Use a damp cloth with mild soap to clean the seals and door edges at least once a month. Check for any cracks or damage in the seals and replace if needed to avoid leaks.
Is baking soda good for cleaning the dishwasher?
Yes, baking soda is a great natural cleaner for dishwashers. After running a vinegar cycle, sprinkle a cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and run a short hot cycle. Baking soda helps remove stains, deodorizes, and brightens the inside of the dishwasher. It is gentle and safe to use often. Combining vinegar and baking soda cycles once a month makes your dishwasher very clean and fresh.
Can hard water affect my dishwasher cleaning routine?
Yes, hard water can cause mineral build-up inside your dishwasher. This build-up can clog spray arms, filters, and leave spots on dishes. If you have hard water, you may need to clean your dishwasher more often. Using vinegar or special dishwasher cleaners helps remove minerals. You can also use a water softener system or dishwasher salt if your machine supports it. Regular cleaning keeps your dishwasher working well even with hard water.
