Last week, I opened my dishwasher to grab a glass and was hit with a whiff of something… funky. Not exactly the sparkling clean vibe I expected from an appliance that’s supposed to make my dishes spotless! It dawned on me that my dishwasher, the unsung hero of my kitchen, hadn’t been cleaned in months. If you’ve noticed a musty smell, cloudy glassware, or just want to keep things hygienic, it’s time to give your dishwasher some love. Here’s how I tackled disinfecting mine, with a straightforward, no-fuss approach that’ll leave your appliance gleaming and germ-free.
What Products Should You Use for Sanitizing a Dishwasher?
You can use a variety of products to sanitize a dishwasher including dishwasher-safe sanitizers, white vinegar, bleach, specialized dishwasher cleaners and the sanitize cycle if your appliance has one. Always check your dishwasher’s manual to ensure products won’t damage your appliance before sanitizing.
Why Bother Cleaning Your Dishwasher?
It sounds counterintuitive—cleaning something that cleans? But dishwashers are like sponges: they trap food bits, grease, and soap scum in their warm, damp interiors. Left unchecked, this gunk can breed bacteria or mold. Carolyn Forté, a cleaning guru from the Good Housekeeping Institute, once said in an article I read, “A dirty dishwasher can harbor bacteria and mold, which can redeposit onto your dishes, leaving them dirtier than before.” That stuck with me. Nobody wants their “clean” plates coated in invisible grime! Plus, regular cleaning keeps your dishwasher running efficiently, saves energy, and prevents costly repairs.
You’ll want to do this monthly, or sooner if you spot mold, smell something off, or have washed items like cutting boards used for raw chicken. Trust me, it’s easier than you think.
What You’ll Need
Here’s what I grabbed from my pantry and cleaning closet:
- White distilled vinegar (the cheap stuff works fine—save the fancy vinegar for cooking)
- Baking soda (yep, that box in your fridge)
- Dish soap (any kind will do)
- An old toothbrush for scrubbing tight spots
- A microfiber cloth or sponge
- A dishwasher-safe bowl or mug
- Optional: Affresh® dishwasher cleaner tablets (I used these for a stubborn stain)
- Gloves, if you don’t want your hands smelling like vinegar
Warning: Skip bleach if your dishwasher has a stainless steel interior—it can cause discoloration or pitting. I learned that the hard way when I almost grabbed the wrong bottle!
My Step-by-Step Cleaning Process
Step 1: Clear Out the Gunk
I started by emptying the dishwasher completely—no dishes, no racks. Pulling out the bottom rack gave me a clear view of the drain area, where I found a soggy piece of pasta and what looked like a pea. Gross! I wiped the drain with a damp cloth and checked the filter (mine twists out—check your manual if you’re unsure). I soaked the filter in warm, soapy water with a splash of vinegar for about 10 minutes, then scrubbed it with a toothbrush. If your filter doesn’t come out, just wipe around it carefully. This step alone made a huge difference.
Step 2: Tackle the Spray Arms
The spray arms—the spinning parts that shoot water—are sneaky culprits for clogs. I popped mine off (a quick twist, per my manual) and found a tiny bit of eggshell stuck in one of the holes. Using a toothpick, I cleared the holes, then rinsed the arms under warm water. It’s like giving your dishwasher a clear shot to do its job properly.
Step 3: Scrub the Grubby Bits
The rubber gasket around the door was my next target. I noticed some black spots—yep, mold. I mixed equal parts vinegar and water, dipped my toothbrush in, and gently scrubbed the gasket’s crevices. It took a few minutes, but those spots vanished. I also wiped the door’s interior and handle with a soapy cloth. For the exterior, a quick swipe with a damp microfiber cloth kept my stainless steel door streak-free.
Step 4: Run a Vinegar Rinse
Here’s where the magic happens. I poured 1 cup of white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe bowl and set it on the top rack. Then I ran a hot-water cycle (no detergent, no heated dry). The sharp tang of vinegar filled the air, but it worked wonders, cutting through grease and loosening limescale. When the cycle finished, the funky smell was gone, and the interior looked noticeably brighter.
Step 5: Freshen with Baking Soda
To seal the deal, I sprinkled 1 cup of baking soda across the dishwasher’s bottom and ran a short, hot cycle. This step neutralized any lingering odors and left the interior sparkling. I opened the door afterward to let it air dry—moisture is mold’s best friend, so don’t skip this. My dishwasher smelled like… nothing. Bliss!
Step 6: Go the Extra Mile (Optional)
My dishwasher still had some stubborn limescale from our hard water, so I tried an Affresh® tablet. I dropped one in the detergent tray and ran a normal cycle. It tackled the mineral buildup like a champ. If you don’t have tablets, a couple of tablespoons of citric acid powder in the detergent dispenser works too—just don’t overdo it, as it’s potent.
Step 7: Use the Sanitize Cycle (If You Have It)
My dishwasher has a sanitize cycle, which I ran after cleaning to zap any remaining germs. It heats water to 160°F, hot enough to kill 99.9% of bacteria. If you’ve got this feature, it’s perfect for peace of mind, especially after washing items exposed to raw meat.
How often should you clean your dishwasher?
To keep your dishwasher running effectively, follow this simple cleaning schedule. If you have hard water, you may want to do deep cleans more often to remove mineral build-up.
- After each load: Remove any leftover bits of food or debris at the bottom of the dishwasher.
- Monthly: Deep clean using the baking soda and vinegar method or use a dishwasher cleaner.
- As needed: Clean and polish the outside of the dishwasher.
- After washing certain items: If you wash non-dishware items in your dishwasher, to avoid cross-contamination you may need to clean the dishwasher.
Little Habits to Keep It Clean
After this deep clean, I’ve picked up a few tricks to keep my dishwasher in top shape:
- After every load, I peek at the drain for stray food bits. It takes 10 seconds.
- Once a week, I wipe the gasket to stop mold before it starts.
- If I wash something weird (like my kid’s muddy sneakers), I run a quick vinegar rinse afterward.
- In our hard-water area, I use a cleaner tablet every other month to keep limescale at bay.
Mistakes I Almost Made (So You Don’t Have To)
- Bleach Blunder: I nearly used bleach, not knowing it could ruin my stainless steel interior. Stick to vinegar or tablets.
- Mixing Cleaners: I was tempted to toss vinegar and baking soda in together, but they just foam up and cancel each other out. Do them separately.
- Ignoring the Filter: Skipping filter cleaning led to that pasta-in-the-drain situation. Don’t let it build up!
When to Call in the Pros
If your dishwasher still smells bad or drains slowly after all this, you might have a deeper issue, like a clogged pump. I had a friend who ignored a sluggish drain, and it turned into a $200 repair. If you’re stuck, call a technician to check it out.
Wrapping It Up
Cleaning my dishwasher felt like a chore at first, but it was so satisfying to see (and smell) the results. It’s not just about hygiene—though knowing my dishes are truly clean is a huge win—it’s about keeping an appliance I rely on running smoothly. As Carolyn Forté pointed out, a little TLC prevents bacteria from hitching a ride on your plates. So, grab that vinegar, roll up your sleeves, and give your dishwasher the spa day it deserves.
