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How to clean a dishwasher
Regularly cleaning the inside of your dishwasher is an easy way to help clean a smelly dishwasher (which shouldn’t happen if following proper use and care) and the buildup of detergent, minerals and dirt that can cause your dishwasher to not clean properly. Whether you use a dishwasher cleaning tablet or clean your dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda, repeat the following steps every 30 days to help keep your dishwasher and your family’s dishes sparkling clean.
How often should you clean your dishwasher?
To help keep your dishwasher running effectively, follow this simple cleaning schedule. If you have hard water, you may want to do deep cleans more often to help remove mineral buildup.
After each load: Remove any leftover bits of food or debris at the bottom of the dishwasher, as this can help prevent debris from recirculating during the next load and reduce buildup between deep cleans.
Monthly: Deep clean using the baking soda and vinegar method or use a dishwasher cleaner.
As needed: Clean and polish the outside of the dishwasher. For stainless steel dishwashers, be sure to wipe in the direction of the grain to best care for the finish.
- After washing certain items: If you wash non-dishware items in your dishwasher, to avoid cross-contamination you may need to clean the dishwasher.
Benefits of regular dishwasher cleaning
Cleaning your dishwasher is part of general use and care of your appliance and can pay off now and in the long run, helping it run smoothly while preventing buildup that can cause problems over time. Benefits of regular cleaning may include:
Helping reduce unpleasant odors (i.e., from a buildup of food scraps left in the bottom)
Supporting dishwasher performance for cleaner dishes
- Helping prevent breakdowns and expensive repairs
What’s the best dishwasher cleaner
The best dishwasher cleaner for you is the one that fits into your family’s rhythm. If your dishwasher is almost always in use, options like affresh® dishwasher cleaner1 help tackle buildup and can be used with or without dishes, letting you freshen the machine without falling behind on daily loads.
If you don’t have cleaning tablets on hand, pantry staples like baking soda and vinegar offer a simple, budget-friendly way to help cut through grime and neutralize odors inside your dishwasher.
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How to clean a dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda
Cleaning your dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda is an easy way to help eliminate odors, grime and buildup without heavy scrubbing. Start with an empty dishwasher, then clean out the filter and run separate cycles with vinegar, followed by baking soda (never both at the same time), to help freshen the interior. Learn more about each step below.
1. Clear the filter
Clear the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher of any food bits or debris like glass, popcorn kernels or small pieces of paper. If applicable, remove and clean the filter to clear any clogs or other obstructions. Keep in mind that some filters cannot be removed—check your Use & Care guide for specific instructions.
2. Add white vinegar
Pour 2 cups (500 mL) of white vinegar into a glass measuring cup or other dishwasher-safe container and place upright in the lower rack. Run a normal cycle with the heat dry option turned off to clean the inside of your dishwasher. Do not use detergent.
Keep in mind, vinegar is an acid; using it too often could damage your dishwasher. It’s better to do so only when you need to cleanse your dishwasher deeply.
3. Add baking soda
After the cycle with vinegar is complete, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher and run a hot water cycle. Then, enjoy your clean dishwasher.
Cleaning tip: You can use either white or diluted apple cider vinegar. However, distilled white vinegar is preferable since it doesn’t have a coloring agent that could stain surfaces.
Shop affresh® dishwasher cleaner
Affresh® dishwasher cleaner helps remove odor-causing residues, limescale and mineral buildup from deep inside your dishwasher, leaving your dishes, glasses and utensils sparkling clean.1 Plus, affresh® dishwasher cleaner is easy and safe to use with or without a load of dishes.
How to clean a dishwasher with dishwasher cleaner
If baking soda and vinegar don’t quite do the job, a cleaner that’s made especially for dishwashers might do the trick. Follow the steps below to clean out your dishwasher’s filter, place the cleaning tablet and run a cycle.
1. Clear the filter
Clear the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher of any food bits or debris like glass, popcorn kernels or small pieces of paper. If applicable, remove and clean the filter to clear any clogs or other obstructions. Keep in mind that some filters cannot be removed—check your Use & Care guide for specific instructions.
2. Place dishwasher cleaner tablet
If you’re cleaning without dishes, place 1 tablet in the detergent tray. You can add a second tablet to the bottom of the dishwasher if there’s a lot of buildup.
If you’re cleaning with dishes, put 1 tablet in the bottom of the dishwasher (under the bottom rack) and use your normal detergent in the main detergent tray. Shop affresh® tablets and other cleaners.
Affresh® dishwasher cleaner is specially formulated to help remove limescale and mineral buildup.1 Plus, you can use it while running a normal load, helping to descale glassware and dishes. Descaling removes limescale buildup that can contribute to cloudiness on glassware. Read this guide to learn more about how to clean your dishwasher with affresh®.1
3. Run cycle
No matter whether you’re washing with or without dishes, run a normal wash cycle. Running a cycle can help ensure that buildup is cleared from the dishwasher’s components. Learn more about how long dishwashers run based on the cycle you select.
Cleaning tip: Outside of the dishwasher looking dingy? Just wipe down the surface with a damp cloth.
Explore Whirlpool® Dishwashers
Dishwashers from Whirlpool brand help you spend less time at the sink with cycles and settings designed for thorough cleaning. The Sani Rinse Option on select Whirlpool® models sanitizes dishes by eliminating 99.999% of food soil bacteria. When the wash cycle finishes, select Whirlpool® dishwashers offer an energy efficient dry with the Auto Open Air Dry setting that automatically opens the door at the end of the dry cycle to let fresh air in and moisture out.
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1. affresh® brand products and the recommending brands’ products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
