A dishwasher that hasn't been cleaned is one of the most common sources of unpleasant kitchen odours — and poor washing performance. Food debris, grease, and mineral deposits build up in the filter, spray arms, and door seal over time. Cleaning it takes about 30 minutes and should be done monthly. Here's how.
Signs Your Dishwasher Needs Cleaning
- Dishes aren't coming out clean or have a hazy residue
- There's a musty or sour smell when you open the door
- Visible food debris in the bottom of the tub
- Water pooling in the bottom after a cycle
What You'll Need
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- A soft brush or old toothbrush
- Microfibre cloth
Step 1: Clean the Filter
The filter is the most important and most neglected part of the dishwasher. It sits at the bottom of the tub — usually a cylindrical filter that twists out, sometimes with a flat mesh filter underneath. Remove both pieces and rinse under warm water. Scrub with a soft brush and dish soap. For stubborn grease, soak in warm soapy water for 10 minutes. Rinse well and reinstall.
Step 2: Clean the Spray Arms
The spray arms have small holes that can become clogged with mineral deposits and food debris. Remove them (most pull or unscrew) and rinse under running water. Use a toothpick to clear any blocked holes. For mineral buildup, soak in white vinegar for 15 minutes, rinse, and reinstall.
Step 3: Wipe the Door Seal and Interior Edges
The rubber door gasket and the interior edges of the door frame accumulate food particles, mould, and mildew. Wipe with a damp cloth, working into the folds of the gasket. For black mould spots, apply a small amount of white vinegar on a cloth and work into the gasket, then rinse. The door interior — particularly the bottom edge — is often missed and collects grease splatter.
Step 4: Run a Vinegar Cycle
Place a dishwasher-safe bowl or cup filled with 1–2 cups of white vinegar on the top rack. Run a full hot cycle with no dishes and no detergent. The vinegar loosens grease, deodorizes, and dissolves mineral deposits from the interior walls, heating element, and spray areas.
Step 5: Run a Baking Soda Cycle
After the vinegar cycle completes, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda across the bottom of the tub and run a short hot cycle. Baking soda deodorizes further and leaves the interior looking brighter.
Step 6: Clean the Exterior
Wipe down the front panel, control buttons, and handle. For stainless steel fronts, use a stainless steel cleaner or a microfibre cloth with a small amount of mineral oil — wipe with the grain. For white or black enamel, all-purpose spray and a microfibre cloth work fine.
Dishwasher Maintenance Tips
- Clean the filter monthly — this single habit prevents most performance issues
- Use a rinse aid — it prevents mineral deposits on dishes and the interior
- Run the hot water at your sink for 30 seconds before starting the dishwasher — this ensures the first fill is hot water, not cold
- Leave the door slightly ajar after a cycle — allows the interior to dry and prevents mildew
A clean dishwasher is part of a clean kitchen. For a thorough kitchen deep clean, Maidless covers all appliance interiors as part of our deep cleaning service in Toronto. Book online with HST included.