It may seem counterintuitive to clean a household appliance meant for cleaning itself, but these maintenance chores are what help keep our items running smoothly. This is the same logic we can apply to cleaning a shower head to achieve better water pressure or emptying a vacuum filter.

When you clean a dirty dishwasher, you’re not only helping the machine reach optimal functionality but you’re getting rid of that nasty food smell that accumulates over time. In our ultimate guide below, we’ll show you several tips for cleaning a smelly dishwasher and leaving it functioning optimally.

How to clean a dishwasher with vinegar

Vinegar is one of the top cleaning products around. It’s acidity sanitizes and works to deep clean various surfaces. You can keep your dishwasher sparkling by running vinegar through it every two to three weeks. 

Take a dishwasher-safe cup, mug, or bowl and fill it with a cup of white vinegar. Place the cup of vinegar on the upper rack of your empty dishwasher and run the regular hot wash cycle. The vinegar and hot water will break up grime and sterilize the machine. 

How to clean a dishwasher with baking soda

This baking soda method is most effective after cleaning your dishwasher with vinegar, as described above. 

Coat the bottom of your dishwasher with a cup of baking soda and run the machine on the rapid-cycle function. Baking soda helps absorb any yucky odors and it’s a powerful cleaning agent, so this little step goes a long way to improve the smell and appearance of the machine.

How to clean a dishwasher with bleach 

If you have a stainless steel dishwasher door, you’ll want to skip this method because bleach can stain the metal. If that’s not the case, read on. 

Bleach is a hard-working cleaning agent that breaks up dirt and disinfects, making it yet another great candidate for dishwasher maintenance. Like the vinegar method, in this process, you add one cup of bleach to a dishwasher- and bleach-safe bowl and leave it on the top rack of the machine as you run a full cycle (minus the drying step).

Alexei Aliev - stock.adobe.com

How to clean a dishwasher drain trap 

If you want to leave your machine functioning at its best, then you need to know how to clean the dishwasher drain. A clogged drain can prevent your dishes from getting washed correctly. 

This method uses two of our favorite everyday cleaning items: vinegar and baking soda. First, pour one cup of vinegar into a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for 15 to 20 seconds in the microwave. Then stir in 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Pour this solution into the dishwasher drain, and let it work for 10 to 15 minutes. 

While you’re waiting, boil some water. After the baking soda and vinegar solution has finished working, carefully pour the hot water into the drain to finish the job. 

How often should you clean your dishwasher

Experts recommend cleaning your dishwasher at least once a month. It’s particularly important to clean the drain this often because it directly affects the machine's proper functioning. 

If you use your washer infrequently, you can space your cleaning sessions out further. 

How to keep dishwasher clean

Prevention is the best cleaning method of all. Whether the tile in your bathroom or your dishwasher, if you perform regular maintenance on your household items, you’ll prevent buildup, messes, and—in the case of appliances—malfunctions. 

Regularly remove food particles

‍Some dishwasher detergents or dish soap are advertised as being tough on grease and in commercials we watch as these cleaning products blast away leftover bits of food caked onto dirty dishes. Regardless, you should always try to keep as much food as possible out of your dishwasher, no matter how good your machine is. Scrape excess food into the trash before placing dishes in the washer, and if you see that food is building up in the machine, remove it. 

Wipe down the machine

‍Using a damp microfiber cloth or sponge, wipe down all of the surfaces of your dishwasher, skipping the buttons (they may be sensitive to water). Pay special attention to the rubber seals where food and gunk collect. You can use an old toothbrush to reach tight crevices.

Consider using cleaning tablets

‍Readily-available dishwasher cleaning tablets can help you keep your machine clean. While we recommend the deep cleaning methods shown above, it can’t hurt to have these tabs on hand for when you’re in a hurry. Be sure to confirm you can use them safely in your dishwasher’s model. ‍

Maintain appearances

‍If you have a stainless steel dishwasher then you know that no matter how clean it is on the inside, just one handprint on the outside can make the machine look grimy. Stainless steel, despite its name, quickly accumulates temporary stains. And the metal is notoriously hard to clean, especially if you like a streak-free finish. We recommend picking up a stainless steel spray. These miracle products will help keep the exterior of your dishwasher looking pristine and combat advanced stains over time.

leszekglasner - stock.adobe.com

Whenever you need to stock up on cleaning products, count on Gopuff. Spend a few extra minutes relaxing as you wait for your items to be delivered straight to your door. Once they arrive, you’ll have the good fortune of an incredibly clean dishwasher.