How to Clean a Dishwasher to Remove Buildup and Soap Scum

Oct 18, 2024

Yes, the thing that washes your dishes needs its own cleaning from time to time.

Your dishwasher needs routine cleaning just like other kitchen appliances. Not only does the door attract fingerprints every time you load it with dirty dishes, but the interior (especially the corners and crevices) accumulates residue of food particles, grease, and soap scum. These deposits look bad and can lead to stinky dishwasher odors. Learn how to clean a dishwasher, including the door, tub, filter, and accessories, to prevent mineral deposits and get rid of grime.

BHG / Ana Cadena

Cleaning your smelly dishwasher doesn't take much and doesn't need to be done very often. Monthly cleaning can keep your dishwasher looking like new and running well.

Ana Cadena

Clean the Dishwasher Door Exterior. The best way to clean a dishwasher door's exterior and keep it fingerprint-free is by wiping the outside with warm, sudsy water. Or use a homemade dishwasher cleaner. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 quart of water. Avoid harsh cleansers or too-tough scouring pads that might scratch the dishwasher's finish. When the door is clean, wipe it dry with a soft cloth. Wipe away tricky fingerprints and smudges with a bit of rubbing alcohol on a soft, dry cloth.

Clean the Dishwasher Door Interior. Open the dishwasher door so you can get to its top and sides. Dip a small toothbrush in hot, soapy water, and scrub around the door. Make sure you dig into the grooves of the rubber seal and any other crevices, including the hinges. This step might require gentle cleaning with an abrasive cleanser if there's a lot of buildup. Wipe up the grime with a household sponge dipped in hot soapy water. Wipe away any cleaning solution left behind with a clean, wet sponge.

BHG / Ana Cadena

Clean out your dishwasher's tub to remove the biggest causes of odors.

Remove Debris. Use a handful of paper towels to remove any debris from the base of the dishwasher. You'll find most of the debris around the drain.

Run the Dishwasher. Once the debris is removed, you'll want to run a cycle to clean the dishwasher. (It should be run empty.) You can use one of several DIY dishwasher cleaners. Here's how to clean a dishwasher with vinegar: set a dishwasher-safe cup of plain white vinegar on the top rack. Then run a full cycle, choosing the hottest water possible to disinfect the unit while it's being cleaned.

Wipe the Inside. When the cycle is done, wipe out the inside of the dishwasher with paper towels or a clean, dry cloth.

In place of vinegar, you can put a packet of unsweetened lemonade mix in the soap cup. Or clean your dishwasher with baking soda by sprinkling a cup on the bottom of the tub. For either method, run a complete cycle using the hottest water possible. Each will help clean and freshen your dishwasher.

Ana Cadena

Remove Parts. Take out the racks and utensil holders. Wipe off any stuck-on food particles or other debris.

Clean Out Clogs. Scrub the spray arm with a soft brush or toothbrush to remove clogs.

Brie Goldman

Remove and Clean the Filter. To access the dishwasher filter, pull the bottom rack out. The filter is usually located in one of the bottom back corners of the appliance. If your filter is removable, twist it to remove it from the dishwasher and rinse under hot running water to remove food particles and other debris.

Clean Under Filter. Wipe out the area beneath the filter inside the dishwasher with a damp cloth, sponge, or toothbrush. Once clean, add the clean dishwasher filter back into place.

Note that filters vary greatly across appliances. Refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions on how to clean your dishwasher filter.

Don't have the manual? Many manufacturers have them available on their websites.

Depending upon your water source and the state of your pipes, you might see mineral or rust stains inside your dishwasher.

Run Empty Dishwasher. Check the laundry detergent section of your home center for products that remove rust stains from clothing or appliances. Place the product in your dishwasher's soap dispenser cup and sprinkle some freely on the bottom. Run the empty dishwasher through a complete cleaning cycle.

Remediate Rust Problems. Since the source of rust stains is systemic (e.g., your water comes from a private well or your home's pipes are rusty), you will likely need to repeat this process regularly unless you take care of the problems at their source. You might also want to ask a plumbing contractor to install a filter to help with rust control.

Depending on your water type, your dishwasher may be susceptible to hard water deposits or mineral buildup. Place a cup of lemon juice in your dishwasher's top rack or basket and run a normal cycle. The acidic lemon juice will work to remove hard water spots and iron buildup.

The best way to clean a dishwasher is by thoroughly cleaning once a month and tackling smudges and splatters on the exterior as they happen.

Anthony Masterson

You don't have to head to the store to pick up the ingredients you need for cleaning a dishwasher—they're likely already in your pantry! These natural dishwasher cleaners do the job well without harsh chemicals or odors.

Use white vinegar to clean the tub of your dishwasher. Place a cup in the middle of the top rack and fill it with vinegar. Run a dishwasher cycle on high heat, and wipe dry when done. You can also try this with lemon juice to remove water spots.

Rubbing alcohol can be used to clean the dishwasher exterior. Clean your dishwasher door and handle by adding rubbing alcohol to a clean microfiber cloth and wiping away fingerprints. If your dishwasher has plastic buttons, avoid scrubbing with acidic natural cleaners like vinegar, as they can break down the material.

Baking soda works wonders as a natural cleaning agent. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher tub before running a hot washing cycle.

If your dishwasher isn't very dirty, running it empty and on the hottest cycle should be enough to clean it. However, for older dishwashers or those that are heavily soiled, using one of the natural products listed above will help get it cleaner.

Don't use bleach in a stainless-steel dishwasher because bleach can damage the finish. Check the instructions for your model—it should say whether it's safe to clean it with bleach. The CDC has guidelines for safely using bleach to clean.

First, clean out the bugs from the dishwasher with a hand vacuum. Make sure to check underneath it for live bugs, too. Then use one of the cleaning methods listed above to do a heavy-duty wash of your machine. This should eliminate any eggs or bugs left behind. You may want to leave a bug trap under the dishwasher to prevent further infestations.

“How to Safely Clean and Sanitize with Bleach.” CDC, 9 Feb. 2024, How to Safely Clean and Sanitize with Bleach.