Gritty dishes? How to clean the dishwasher

Everyone loves a heartwarming, homemade meal. But here’s a scenario: you're about to treat your housemates to a sizzling, spicy fajita night and your plates are still smeared with the remnants of yesterday’s gorgeously greasy burgers. While delicious yesterday, it’s a slightly less appetising garnish today. Sounds like you might be in need of some dishwasher cleaning tips. 

So, join us as we delve into the sudsy world of how to clean dishwashers, embracing the bits of stuck-on pasta with a grin on our faces, safe in the knowledge it’s all in the name of a spotless finish that’s going to leave you more time to whip up that marry-me chicken your partner knows and so loves. 

With this easy-to-follow guide to cleaning your dishwasher, you can take decisive action to understand how to clean the dishwasher filter, as well as the doors, racks, and spinning arms. You’ll also learn some natural ways to clean a dishwasher, including how to clean the dishwasher with vinegar to achieve a thoroughly deep clean. 

How to clean a dishwasher 

Before you start, remember to switch off your dishwasher and unplug it - safety first. Then check out the manual for the best way to remove the various parts. All done? Here’s how to clean the dishwasher: 

1. Remove the rack and spinning arms 

The first of our dishwasher cleaning tips is a simple one. Make sure the dishwasher is empty – and we’re not just talking about the crockery. This means unstacking it, lifting out the racks, and detaching the spinning arms. Set them aside for a moment and check the grate at the bottom to make sure that it’s completely clear of any stray teaspoons. 

2. Remove and clean the dishwasher filter

Now it’s time to think about how to clean the dishwasher filter. First, you’ll need to remove it. There’s a good chance this job will be covered in old bits of stringy spinach and some sort of white gloop that’s probably cheese or mayonnaise or something. Basically: wear gloves.  

Once you've lifted it out, simply disassemble it and wash the filter parts in the sink, using an old toothbrush (double check it's an old one…) or a nailbrush and some warm soapy water. It should clear satisfyingly easily so maybe let the less-experienced cleaners of the household have a go at this bit. Finally, put the parts back together and put the filter back. 

3. Clean the inside of the dishwasher door 

A really effective and natural way to clean the dishwasher door is to use vinegar: apply some to a few sheets of absorbent kitchen paper and give the door a good wipe down. Pay close attention to the seals and detergent compartments, and use a small brush or cotton bud to get into the tight corners. 

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4. Clean the racks and spinning arms

The spray holes in the spinning arms are key to the effectiveness of your dishwasher, so make sure they are unclogged. Cleaning your dishwasher’s spinning arms is easy – just use a pick or tweezers to remove any particles from the holes. Get the ick while plucking out the remnants of yesteryear’s spaghetti? There’s nothing wrong with getting your hands dirty, but if you get the ick while plucking out the remnants of yesteryear’s spaghetti, pretend you’re plucking your eyebrows before a night out on the town. Now picture the kebab afterwards. Yum... 

Run the arms under the water and make sure all of the blockages are clear and then check the racks for any stuck-on food and give them a good scrub with your brush. Rinse them off and fit them back into your dishwasher, along with the spinning arms. 

5. Get a really clean dishwasher with vinegar

Once all the parts have been taken out, cleaned and reassembled, it’s time to get deep into the dishwasher’s inner workings. Wondering how to clean a dishwasher with vinegar? Simply pour a cup or two into the bottom of the machine and run a full hot cycle. That should break down hard water deposits and clean off any leftover residue that you might have missed.  

6. The natural way to clean dishwasher doors and buttons

You don’t have to use chemicals to get things shiny; a much more natural way to clean dishwasher doors and buttons is to use a combination of vinegar and baking soda. Give the door a gentle scrub with the mixture then wipe thoroughly with kitchen paper. And remember whilst you’re doing it that all those grubby fingerprints were once someone trying to help you out! 

How often should you clean your dishwasher? 

Now you know how to clean your dishwasher, the next question to answer is 'How often should you clean it?' Honestly, this really depends on how often you are using the dishwasher, how many cycles you are running every week, and which ambitious recipe you've tackled. 

There's a big difference between, for example, your one-pot marry-me chicken, and that online recipe that promised to take 25 minutes, but left you drowning in the dirty deluge of every single pot and pan you’ve ever owned. The family were ecstatic with the final result though, even if half of *cough* someone’s plate slid and slopped onto the brand-new carpet. 

Assuming you run a load most days, there are things you can do on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to keep your dishwasher clean. Try following these regular dishwasher cleaning tips: 

• After every load: After a wash, there may be visible bits of food inside the filter or at the bottom of the dishwasher. Remove these easily by hand. 
• Weekly: Wipe down the edges of your machine, and the gasket, to get rid of any debris. Remove and clean the filter, following the guidance above. 
• Monthly: Each month, deep clean the interior with a cleaning cycle. Clean your dishwasher with vinegar, as outlined above, for a natural wash. 
• Whenever you spot it: Look out for drips and spots, and wipe down the exterior whenever necessary. 

There you have it: a shiny, efficient dishwasher, and no more mysterious gritty patches on your dishes and glasses. Now you have a step-by-step guide on how to clean the dishwasher, how often you should clean it, what to do on a daily, weekly, and even monthly basis, and some important information on temperature settings. Now you can get back to letting your appliance do all the hard work. 

While you’re on the descaling hype, why not learn how to clean your kettle that’s covered in limescale or discover how to descale and deeply clean your coffee machine?

*Winner General Household Category. Survey of 8,000 people in UK & ROI 

**Claim based on laboratory data Dec 23 

*** Length of roll when compared to Plenty Original