How to Clean the Interior of a Dishwasher

When you think about all of the food, grease and grime that go into a dishwasher, it makes sense that you should clean the interior of this appliance regularly. Not only will it clean dishes better, but a clean dishwasher will run more efficiently and last longer.

Things You'll Need

• Bleach Sponge or dish cloth Small scrub brush Toothpicks Small bowl Baking soda White vinegar Bleach Tang orange drink mix

Instructions

1. Remove the racks of your dishwasher. Most dishwasher racks are on wheels and will slide out easily. If this is not the case, refer to your user's manual or check the manufacturer's website. Place the racks in your bathtub or outside and wipe them down with a combination of bleach and warm water (use one to two parts bleach to ten parts water). Rinse well and let the racks air dry.

2. Check the drain area. It is common for larger pieces of food, pieces of paper (from price tags or labels) and small items, such as corn-on-the-cob holders, to collect in the drain. Remove anything you find and use a small brush to scrub the drain area clean.

3. Inspect the sprayer arms. The arms have several small holes that shower the dishes with a strong jet of hot water. If these holes get clogged with food and other particles, your dishwasher will not clean well. Use toothpicks to remove debris from the sprayer holes.

4. Replace the dishwasher racks. Place a bowl, right side up, onto the top rack. Fill this bowl with one cup of white vinegar. Run the dishwasher on your shortest setting, with nothing but the bowl inside. The vinegar will remove soap scum and hard water buildup. For best results, use the vinegar once a month.

5. Remove rust from your dishwasher by pouring one-quarter cup of Tang orange flavored powdered drink mix into the empty appliance and then running it. The acid in the Tang will safely remove rust scale. Make sure the powder is completely washed away before placing dishes in the dishwasher.

Tips & Warnings

• Using a rinse aid such as Jet Dry in your dishwasher will help it stay cleaner. Jet Dry makes a liquid dishwasher cleaner that can be used in place of the ingredients in Step 4.

• If you use bleach to clean your dishwasher, take special care. If mixed with ammonia, baking soda or other compounds it can cause toxic gas.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Dishwasher Reviews and Ratings