How to Clean Your Dishwasher

Keep the inside of your dishwasher clean with some regular maintenance.

You may think that since your dishwasher is a machine that is meant to clean your dishes and is run with soap all the time that it is clean. However, it also needs an occasional cleaning itself. Sometimes your dishwasher can be a breeding place for mold and other bacteria as well as water buildup and lime scale. It can turn dingy-looking inside from discoloration over time.

Things You'll Need

• Dishwashing liquid
• Bowl
• Toothbrush
• Sponge
• Rag
• Vinegar
• Cup

Instructions

1. Mix a squirt of dishwashing liquid into a bowl of warm water and stir it around.

2. Dip a toothbrush into the soapy water and use it to clean the seal on the dishwasher door. Be sure to get into all the grooves and crevices and remove any food or debris buildup.

3. Dampen a sponge with water and clean up all the debris around the door seal.

4. Remove the bottom basket. Dip the sponge into the soapy mixture and clean around the drain area, making sure all chunks of food are cleaned out.

5. Dampen a clean rag in water and use it to clean up all the soapy residue and any remaining debris.

6. Fill a cup with white vinegar. Place it on the top rack and run the dishwasher through a complete cycle with the hottest water setting. The vinegar will clean and disinfect the inside of the dishwasher.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use baking soda instead of the vinegar. Just sprinkle some in the bottom of the dishwasher and run it on a hot water wash cycle.

• Don't place bleach or other harsh chemicals during a cycle when you are washing dishes

References

• Mrs. Clean: Dishwasher Cleaning Tips
• The Vinegar Institute: Uses and Tips