At a Glance:
How to Clean a Dishwasher with Vinegar
Other Ways to Clean a Dishwasher
Best Cleaning Materials to Use
How Often Should You Clean a Dishwasher?
Is your dishwasher starting to smell bad? Chances are it needs a good cleaning especially if it has been a few months since it was last cleaned. Keeping your dishwasher clean is important so that it will continue to run its best. Even advanced dishwashers need to be regularly maintained and cleaned.
The best way to clean dishwasher machines is so simple, you may already have what you need right at home. The secret is knowing how to achieve a clean dishwasher with vinegar.
How to Clean a Dishwasher with Vinegar
Before you clean your dishwasher with vinegar or other ingredients, make sure to check your dishwasher’s manufacturer’s notes on cleaning so that you don’t use a chemical that could damage your dishwasher.
To get a clean dishwasher with vinegar, there are only four simple steps you need to do.
1. Empty the Dishwasher
First things first, you need to empty the dishwasher completely. This includes removing all dishes, drinkware, and silverware. You want your dishwasher to be completely empty.
2. Pour White Vinegar into a Dishwasher-Safe Bowl
Grab your white vinegar and a dishwasher-safe bowl that will easily fit on the top rack of your dishwasher. You will want to measure out one cup of white vinegar and pour that into the bowl. The bowl should be securely placed on the top rack of the dishwasher.
3. Run the Hottest Cycle
You want to run the hottest cycle on your dishwasher and let it run through the cycle completely without disruption. During this time, the hot water and vinegar will mix and thoroughly clean the interior of your dishwasher.
4. Skip the Drying Cycle
Instead of setting your dishwasher to the timed dry cycle, open the door of your dishwasher after the wash cycle is complete. This will allow the inside of the dishwasher to air dry.
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DishwashersOther Ways to Clean a Dishwasher
If you don’t want a clean dishwasher with vinegar, there are other ways to clean more parts of your dishwasher. For example, you can remove the utensil caddy and other accessories from the dishwasher and clean them by hand.
You can also let these items soak in the sink. Fill your sink halfway up with water and add two cups white vinegar for a great soaking solution. Handwashing or soaking helps to remove any stuck food particles from the removable accessories.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is another popular ingredient for cleaning and can be used in lieu of white vinegar for a clean dishwasher. Simply sprinkle one cup of baking soda on the floor of the empty dishwasher. Then, turn your dishwasher on to run a hot yet short cycle. Just like when using vinegar, you will want to open the dishwasher door to let the interior air dry once the cycle is complete.
Note: Do not use the baking soda method and white vinegar method at the same time. These two methods must be done separately. It is recommended that you clean with vinegar first and then with baking soda.
Bleach
Yet another way to clean your dishwasher is by using old-fashioned bleach only if your dishwasher is not stainless steel. Stainless steel dishwashers can be damaged with the use of bleach. If you have a dishwasher with a plastic tub, you’re good to go. Bleach is great for cleaning the inside of the washer and removing stains. To clean with bleach, measure out one cup of it and pour it into a bleach-safe bowl.
Like the white vinegar bowl, you will also set the bleach bowl on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run a full wash cycle and let the interior air dry.
Note: Bleach must be used alone and cannot be used in conjunction with white vinegar and/or baking soda.
Cleaning the Dishwasher Door and Gasket
To clean the dishwasher door and gasket area, you can use a mix of hot water and vinegar (three cups water mixed with ½ cup vinegar). With a toothbrush or other soft brush, you clean around the crevices of the door and gasket.
How to Clean Dishwasher Filter
If your dishwasher doesn’t have a self-cleaning filter, you may be wondering how to clean a dishwasher filter yourself. To clean the filter, you will remove it from the dishwasher and wash it out so that the filter is clear of particles. Check the area the filter was sitting in to ensure it isn’t holding food particles. Once everything is cleaned, you can replace the filter and lock it back into its spot.
How to Clean Dishwasher Drain
Do you know how to clean a dishwasher drain? To clean the drain, you can pour one cup of white vinegar into a microwave-safe bowl and heat it up for about 15 seconds until it is warm. Then, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and stir. This concoction can then be poured into the sink drain where you will let it sit for about 15 minutes or so. In the meantime, you can boil some water. This hot water can be carefully poured into the drain to flush it out.
Cleaning the Exterior
Cleaning the outside of the dishwasher is easy. All you need to do is to wipe it down with a cleaning cloth and some soapy water. Don’t forget to dry it well to not leave streaks.
Best Cleaning Materials to Use
We already mentioned a few cleaning ingredients like white vinegar, bleach, and baking soda, but what materials are best to be used on a dishwasher? The most common materials used are soft cleaning cloths, a toothbrush, a scrub brush, and dish soap. Stainless steel exteriors can be cleaned with ordinary soft cloths or those designed to clean stainless steel appliances. Here’s a full list of materials:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Bleach
- Dish soap
- Dishwasher-safe bowl
- Toothbrush
- Scrub brush
- Soft cloths
How Often Should You Clean a Dishwasher?
Ideally, the dishwasher should be cleaned once a month, including the interior, door, gasket, drain, and filter. Of course, the actual frequency depends on how often you use your dishwasher and how dirty it gets. If you prewash your dishes before they are placed in the dishwasher, you won’t have to clean your dishwasher as often. You may not need to clean your dishwasher every month, but you certainly shouldn’t go any longer than six months without cleaning the unit.
FAQs
A squeaky-clean dishwasher is just a short sessions away — but make sure to check out these questions and answers to give your dishwashing machine the safest, most efficient clean.
What is the best way to clean and deodorize a dishwasher?
White vinegar and baking soda are both wonderful ways to clean your dishwasher — just make sure to not use them at the same time before running a cycle. It is recommended to run a wash cycle with vinegar first then with baking soda.
Is bleach or vinegar better to clean a dishwasher?
Vinegar is safe to use whether you have a stainless-steel appliance or not. Bleach, on the other hand, cannot be used on any stainless-steel appliances or parts. Vinegar does a great job of killing mildew, but the toughest areas may need to be cleaned with bleach.
Can I use Dawn dish soap to clean my dishwasher?
No, homeowners should never put Dawn dish soap in their dishwashers to clean them. Placing Dawn dish soap in a dishwasher and running a wash cycle will inevitably result in suds, suds, and more suds. On top of being a mess to clean, handwashing dish detergent can be harmful to a dishwashing machine.
A clean dishwasher means a happy and healthy household, but a reliable dishwasher is also key in ensuring your dishes are properly clean. If you are in the market for a new dishwasher, Friedman’s Appliance is home to many dishwasher brands and styles, including built-in dishwashers and luxury dishwashers from the brands you know at competitive prices. Stop by or shop online today to see all the great dishwasher deals we offer!
Why Trust Friedmans Appliance?
Established in 1922, Friedmans Appliance has been the most trusted name in the Bay Area for over 100 years. What started as a small appliance store in Oakland has expanded to include every appliance you need for your home. Our commitment to value, inspiration, and character has only grown, creating an unbeatable reputation for top-notch appliances. At Friedmans, we strive to give our customers the best of the best, including our selection of top appliance brands and our exceptional customer service. Speaking of which, we offer a 100-day price guarantee on all our products — the longest in the industry!
Our wide selection of appliances is just one of the reasons we’re the best Bay Area appliance store. We carry refrigerators in every style, every cooking appliance to show off your chef skills, and every dish care and laundry appliance you need for cleanup.
Shop Dishwashers at Friedmans
See for yourself why Friedmans is a trusted name in the Bay Area and shop appliances online. While we are located in Pleasant Hill, we deliver to all of Northern California — even Reno! If you have any questions, our team is always happy to help with your search, whether it’s “how to clean dishwasher with vinegar,” or finding a quality dishwasher. Call us at 925-808-2950, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by our appliance store in Pleasant Hill to experience the quality in person. Visit us today!
Learn More: The Best Luxury Dishwashers