How to Clean Your Dishwasher

3 Materials

30 Minutes

Easy

My dishwasher is one of the hardest working things in my house (I basically run it everyday!), but it’s easy to forget that it needs a good cleaning too. When my dishwasher starts to smell, you know it's time to give it a good cleaning. With just two green ingredients you can have an Eco clean dishwasher (without using expensive dishwasher detergent).

As with any green-friendly cleaner, baking soda and vinegar are my go-to cleaning ingredients.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

I used white vinegar (cleaning vinegar), baking soda, and a dishwasher safe cup (not pictured).
Step 2: Put Your Cup in the Top Rack

Place your cup upright on the top shelf. I did this, because it allows the dishwasher to flood the vinegar out of the cup. This gives it a slow release as opposed to being poured out all at once. You don't have to do this, but I think it makes the cleaner work better.
Step 3: Add the Vinegar to the Cup

Fill the cup almost all the way to the top with vinegar.
Step 4: Sprinkle Baking Soda and Set Your Machine to Wash

Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher. Then set it to the hottest setting, and let it start.

How simple was that? The smell is gone and now my dishwasher is nice and clean.

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3 of 61 questions

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Loretta Simpson
on Oct 13, 2019

Is this safe for a dishwasher with a stainless steel interior?

2

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- Mary Smith
  on Nov 5, 2019
  
  Absolutely.
  
  1
  Reply
Mary Smith
on Nov 5, 2019

I can’t remove the filter from my dishwasher. I’ve even tried pliers. Does anyone have an idea about how to remove it? I think that would really help solve some odor problems.

6

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- Malkah CC Bushinsky
  on Jun 5, 2020
  
  We have a Bosch, and the filter basket at the bottom screws out...
  
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Sue Vandervoort
on Apr 12, 2020

I would if I knew the amounts ?

0

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2 of 195 comments

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Gabrielle Falk
on Nov 6, 2019

I use a handful of bi.-carb soda and cleaning vinegar, to keep the drains, hopefully, clean. Just put the bi.-carb over the plug hole, pour some cleaning vinegar over (it will froth and foam), and that will then go down the drain. If you want to be keen, follow up with a decent quantity of boiling water.

4
Reply
Carolyn from NH
on Oct 2, 2020

My dishwasher has a constant order. Nothing gets rid of it. I pullout the filter it’s clean but I scrub it any way.so I have to prop it open and run into it when cooking. I have tried cleaner from the supermarket and home made. It’s a mystery. So will try your idea next.

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How to Clean Your Dishwasher

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