As convenience is the topmost priority for everyone, dishwashers have replaced the process of manual cleaning & washing of utensils in many homes. Just like most other kitchen appliances, dishwashers are also very easy and economical to use. However, you also need to have a look at the cleanliness of your dishwasher. To make your work easy and satisfying, we bring you solutions on how to properly clean filters, drain, and other components of your dishwasher machine with vinegar, baking soda, or a commercial cleaner.

In this article, we bring to you the step-by-step cleaning procedure for every part of a dishwasher. Additionally, we have provided answers to some of the frequently asked questions about dishwashers below. So, let’s get to it.

How often do you clean a dishwasher?
The answer to this question may differ for different users as not all users use dishwashers heavily. If you use the dishwasher 3 to 4 times a week, you can have a deep cleaning session after every 3-4 months. However, if someone uses the dishwasher daily, they must clean their dishwasher monthly to avoid the growth of bacteria.

Why is it important to clean the dishwasher?
Food, grease, detergent, and water residue accumulate in the dishwasher with each load. Along with an unpleasant odour, this accumulation can lead to germ growth that will hamper the performance of your dishwasher. Thus, it’s important to clean the dishwasher once in a while.

How to clean your dishwasher machine? – A step-by-step guide
Remove the filter, utensil holder, dishwasher racks, and water sprayers

Certain corners inside the dishwasher are difficult to reach without taking off the removable parts. One by one, take off all the internal removable parts like filters, water sprayers, utensil holders, and racks and put them in a solution of warm water and vinegar for at least 30 minutes.

Find and remove the debris from each corner
After you have taken off the removable parts from the dishwasher, try to check every single crevice inside the dishwasher for dirt or ick. Use a toothbrush or a toothpick to get the food debris out of the small holes.

Let your dishwasher go through a hot water cycle with vinegar
Now, use a dishwasher-safe bowl and put distilled vinegar into it and place it in the dishwasher for a cleaning cycle. Put the dishwasher on a hot cleaning cycle. This cycle will take off all the remaining food and soap debris from the dishwasher.

Again run a cycle of the dishwasher with baking soda
After the vinegar cycle, put some baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher and start another small cycle. This cycle will make sure that you get a fresh and sparkling dishwasher.

Clean the door of the dishwasher from outside
To clean the exteriors of your dishwasher, you will require a commercial cleaner. If you don’t have access to it, you can make a cleaner by yourself. To create a DIY dishwasher cleaner, mix distilled vinegar, dish soap, and water. This cleaner can be used to clean steel surfaces without any risk of damage. Dip your microfibre cloth in the solution and squeeze all the excess solution and then wipe the surface of your dishwasher properly for a brand-new look.

How to clean every part of your dishwasher individually?
Door and gasket
When you use the dishwasher machine for a long time without cleaning, the door and the rubber gasket accumulate residue of dirt and ick. This may cause the dishwasher door to jam, which might be a significant problem.

To clean this portion of your dishwasher, you can simply use a wet towel and rub the portion. For better results, you can use a brush to soap it a bit and then clean it with water and a piece of cloth.

Filter
Many times we don’t scrape out the food debris before putting utensils in the dishwasher. You must clean the filter of your dishwasher because it captures every remnant of food and grease left over after washing your utensils. It keeps on getting messy if you don’t clean it from time to time.

To clean the filter of your dishwasher, rinse it with water; after this, just soak it in a mixture of warm water and white distilled vinegar. You can even use soapy water and a soft brush to take out bits and pieces of food stuck in it.

Exterior of dishwasher
Everyone wants their appliances to have a decent look externally. To make your dishwasher shine, you first need to use a damp cloth and rub the whole appliance with it. Then, use a mild detergent to clean the dirty spots. If the exterior of your dishwasher is steel made, then you can use any steel cleaner available in the market.

Drain
Water flow is an essential part of the working process of different parts of the dishwasher machine, including the drain, and thus it’s essential to clean it occasionally as well. When the drain of a dishwasher gets clogged, it can lead to a blockage of drainage or slow drainage.

If you want to use homemade liquid soap to clean your drain, you can use baking soda or washing soda along with any dishwashing liquid and distilled vinegar. Firstly, add the distilled vinegar and baking soda solution to the dishwasher basket and let it sit there for half an hour. Finally, put warm water in the basket to drain the solution along with the clogs. Now you know how to clean the drain of your dishwasher easily.

Water sprayers
Sometimes the water sprayers of your dishwasher may also get jammed. The only way debris may enter the spray arm is if it bypasses the filter in the machine’s wash chamber.

Usually, the water sprayers in a dishwasher are easily detachable. If you feel they are working slowly, take them out and use tweezers or a toothpick to take out the ick suspended inside them. If this doesn’t work, take a bucket of warm water with soap and vinegar mixed in it and put these spray arms in it. After some time, the debris will soften and come out. Once it comes out, rinse the sprayers well and put them back in place.

Heating element
If the heating element of your dishwasher has gained limescale or if you are having heating issues with your dishwasher, there is a chance that the heating element needs cleaning. To clean the heating element, firstly, you have to detach it from the dishwasher. Now, simply use a cloth and a bowl of vinegar to clean the element softly. After some time, clean it properly and put it back in the dishwasher.

If you have any melted plastic on your heating element, you can use a hair dryer. Move the hairdryer around until the plastic softens and becomes easy to remove.

Dishwasher tub
The tub is one of the most used parts of a dishwasher. To clean it, start by taking all the debris out of the base. Then, run the dishwasher cycle to clean up any remaining ick. Now, put a cup of vinegar on the rack of the dishwasher and run another cycle with hot water to disinfect it.After these steps, simply clean it for the final time with a cotton cloth. Your dishwasher’s tub will look brand new after this process.