How to Clean Dish Washing Machine? | Monthly Routine

That buildup you see on dishes is the first clue your dishwasher needs attention. Food particles lodge in the filter, grease coats the spray arms, and hard water leaves film on the interior. The good news: a thorough cleaning takes about 30 minutes and needs only things you likely already own. Here is the step-by-step routine that keeps a dishwasher working like new.

Start With the Filter, Then the Interior

Begin with an empty dishwasher. Pull out the bottom rack so you can see the floor and the filter assembly. Consumer Reports advises removing the filter system every couple of months, rinsing each part at the sink, and cleaning them individually. Most filters twist out or lift up; check your model’s manual if it does not budge.

While the filter soaks, wipe down the rubber door gasket with a soft toothbrush dipped in a vinegar-and-hot-water solution. Food and grime hide in those folds. Then clear any debris from the bottom of the tub and inspect the spray arms. On models that allow removal, take them off, clear blocked holes with a toothpick, rinse, and refit them. If they are fixed in place, clear the jets carefully with a paper clip or tweezers.

For the door itself, Consumer Reports suggests wiping plastic exteriors with hot soapy water. Stainless steel needs gentler care: Bosch warns against abrasive cleaners and abrasive sponges on the exterior, recommending mild soap and a soft cloth instead. A glass cleaner without ammonia also works on stainless steel.

Run an Empty Cleaning Cycle

Once the filter is back in place and the interior is wiped down, the dishwasher needs a hot, empty cycle to flush out grease and odors. You have three solid options, and they all work well.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Do not mix vinegar and baking soda in the same cycle. Whirlpool’s method runs them separately. First, place 2 cups (500 mL) of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the lower rack and run a normal cycle with heat dry off. Then sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda across the dishwasher floor and run a short cycle on the hottest setting. This two-step process breaks down grease, removes mineral deposits, and neutralizes odors from the inside out.

Commercial Dishwasher Cleaner

If you prefer a store-bought option, Consumer Reports recommends a citric-acid-based dishwasher cleaner for monthly maintenance. These tablets and pouches are designed to dissolve hard-water scale and grease without any prep work — just drop one in and run a hot cycle. They are especially effective in areas with hard tap water.

Whichever method you choose, always use dishwasher-specific detergent in regular loads. Bosch manuals stress avoiding harsh chemicals and chlorine-based cleaners, since they can damage seals and interior components over time.

How Often Should You Clean It?

A monthly cleaning cycle keeps most dishwashers running smoothly, but your habits change the timeline. If you run multiple loads daily or skip scraping plates before loading, you may want to clean the filter every few weeks instead. The telltale signs — cloudy glasses, lingering smells, or food bits on clean dishes — mean it is time to clean regardless of the calendar.

The filter itself deserves attention every couple of months according to Consumer Reports, but an empty cycle with vinegar or a commercial cleaner works fine as a monthly ritual. Between deep cleans, a quick wipe of the door gasket and a check for debris in the bottom takes less than two minutes and prevents most buildup.

Best Dish Cleaning Tools

A good sponge, a soft toothbrush, and a toothpick handle most of this job, but the right tools make the work faster. White vinegar and baking soda are cheap and effective, while a commercial cleaner adds convenience on busy weeks. If you are looking to upgrade your dish-cleaning kit with brushes and scrubbers designed for tight spaces, check out our roundup of top-rated dish cleaning tools before you start your next deep clean.

Keep in mind that cleaning methods vary by model. Some dishwashers have removable spray arms, others do not; some have both upper and lower filters. When in doubt, consult your model’s manual before pulling anything apart. Bosch documents note that maintenance cautions apply to their machines, but the general steps above are widely applicable across brands.