Dishwashers are supposed to make your life easier, not increase stress and effort. However, this requires that you properly clean, maintain, and care for your cleaning machine. Dishwashers do not clean themselves, but cleaning them out doesn’t have to be complicated!
Normally it is not recommended that you run your dishwasher empty or half-full. However, running an empty dishwasher is an effective way of cleaning your dishwasher. You can do this with or without detergent, but we recommend using vinegar and baking soda for deeper cleaning.
How do you clean your dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda? How often should you clean your dishwasher? We have all these answers and more in our informative article!
How Often Should You Clean a Dishwasher?
You should lightly clean your dishwasher at least once a month so your dishwasher performs better and prevents germs. This does not have to be a deep cleaning. It can be as simple as running a cleaning agent through a cycle and allowing it to drain properly before starting another cycle.
There is no need to deep clean your dishwasher every month. If you notice your machine is not properly cleaning your dishes despite performing regular maintenance, there are several possible causes:
- Improperly scraping dishes
- Overwashing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher
- Clogged drains
- Dirty filter
- Improper water temperature
- Wrong dish detergent
If you notice a film left behind, the cause is probably either the dishwasher’s temperature or the detergent. If you have hard water, which is typically found in mountainous regions, you will need a detergent with a softening agent.
Alternatively, you can add vinegar to your dishwasher to soften the water. You will need to add a few tablespoons for every wash cycle, which is very effective. Vinegar is highly acidic and neutralizes negatively charged ions in the water.
If you tried these steps and still see no change, the issue could be a dirty filter or wash fan. Running a cleaning cycle through your dishwasher will not necessarily dissolve grease build-up in these crevices.
Once every 2-3 months, you will need to deep clean your dishwasher. This includes removing the cleaning racks and soaking them in hot, soapy water. Then remove the wash fan from the bottom and clean the spray holes. Last, check the drain filter and make sure it’s not clogged or dirty.
How Do You Know If Your Dishwasher Needs Cleaning?
The best indicators of a dirty dishwasher are scent, clogging, and dirty dishes. If your dishwasher is not properly cleaning your dishes or struggling to do its job, it probably needs some TLC. However, other less common causes exist, such as a malfunctioning dishwasher or broken water heater.
1. Improper Draining
If the water remains inside the dishwasher after the cycle finishes it’s a good indicator that it’s time to clean! Before jumping to conclusions, make sure you allow the dishwasher to finish its cleaning cycle.
If you open the dishwasher before it finishes its cleaning cycle, the water will remain in the bottom of the dishwasher. But once this is ruled out, it’s a clear indicator that you must perform maintenance on your machine.
Clogging occurs when grease and food get lodged in the drain. You can clean this out with vinegar, baking soda, and hot water. If you still experience issues, the clog may be deeper in the pipes, and you might need an expert!
2. Dirty Residue on the Dishes
As we discussed above, dirty or cloudy residue on the dishes may not be caused by a dirty dishwasher. It could be your water quality, detergent, or the temperature of your machine’s water supply.
However, once you do everything necessary to rule out these causes, it could be caused by a dirty machine. Over time, grease, soap scum, and food particles build up in the drain and other spaces of the dishwasher.
After cleaning the drain and wash fan, spray down the inside walls and bottom with a vinegar solution. Wipe down the various crevices with a clean sponge or rag, and then run a hot rinse cycle. This should kill germs and remove any excess grease!
3. A Swampy or Unpleasant Scent
A foul scent is a strong indicator of a dirty dishwasher. A clean dishwasher should smell like soap and warm water. The silverware and metal dishes might cause the dishwasher to have a slight metallic scent.
All of these scents should be expected. Although if you notice a swampy scent emanating while the cycle is running, this could indicate food particles are stuck in the dishwasher. If you notice an unpleasant scent during the drying period, check the drain to ensure it drains properly.
Unpleasant scents are usually caused by excess food particles in the drain. They can also be caused by germs and bacteria building up in the dishwasher.
Is It Wasteful To Run an Empty Dishwasher?
It is considered wasteful to run an empty or partially empty dishwasher. When washing your dishes, it is best to always fill it to maximum capacity to save energy and water. However, it is okay to run an empty dishwasher to clean it.
Running a half-empty or totally empty dishwasher is a waste of energy and water unless it serves some purpose. According to Consumer Reports, dishwashers should be run only when full to prevent wasted water and preserve the machine.
When used properly, dishwashers are the most efficient way to clean your dishes. Dishwashers are more energy efficient than handwashing your dishes. On average, dishwashers use between 6-8 gallons of water, while handwashing dishes can use over 22 gallons.
Running an empty cycle should be done monthly to preserve your machine. This should not fall into the wasted energy category since it cleans your machine and extends its lifespan.
How Should You Clean a Dishwasher Manually?
Running an empty wash cycle with vinegar is one of the best ways to clean your dishwasher. This should be done monthly to clear away food particles and break down grease in the drain. However, there are other methods to deep clean and disinfect your dishwasher, which can be done by hand.
Run a Hot Water Cycle With Vinegar
Running an empty wash cycle with vinegar is the most popular method of cleaning your dishwasher. This is for a good reason since it cleans most crevices of the dishwasher and loosens and caked on grease or food particles.
It also helps neutralize unpleasant odors and clean anything that’s starting to clog the drain. It will also kill off most bacteria, especially when using the hot water setting. To clean your dishwasher with a vinegar rinse, simply:
- Fill a glass measuring cup of at least 4 cups or a medium-sized glass bowl with white distilled vinegar
- Place this on the bottom shelf of the dishwasher
- Run a complete cleaning cycle
The vinegar should spray throughout the dishwasher as the cleaning cycle runs. Vinegar is highly acidic and will actively break down any tough compounds and germs lingering inside your machine.
Never use red wine or apple cider vinegar to clean your machine since they can leave a sticky residue. Try to select distilled vinegar for the best results.
After the wash is finished and drained, add 2-3 tbsps of baking soda to the bottom of your machine and run one more hot water cycle. This will neutralize the acidity of the vinegar as well as the scent.
Remove Visible Food Particles
Always scrape your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Even though washing your dishes beforehand is a complete waste of time, cleaning off large food particles is important.
However, if you notice food particles in the drain of your machine, use a rag to wipe it up and throw it away. Do not leave it in the drain because this could cause the drain to get clogged.
Vinegar spray and Wipe the Interior
Once a week, you can use a spray bottle filled with vinegar solution to wipe out your machine’s interior. Make sure the machine is empty of dishes and spray a lot of vinegar along the walls and bottom.
Take a dry rag and wipe down the walls and the drain on the bottom. This won’t just keep your machine smelling fresh but will kill bacteria and break through tough grease.
Never use bleach or ammonia in your machine. Although some cleaners include these chemicals, we don’t recommend them for your dishwasher. They can leave behind residue and cut through the internal coating.
Clean the Door Gasket
Once or twice a month, you should spray your door gasket and wipe it down thoroughly. Most gaskets can also be removed so that you can soak them for an hour or two in hot soapy water.
The gasket is an important part of your dishwasher. It holds the door shut while the machine runs and prevents water from spilling all over the floor.
If you do not clean your gasket regularly, it can become contaminated with mold. It can also lose its efficacy as holding the door shut
Empty the Drain Filter
Once a month, or as needed, you should clean out the drain filter. The drain filter is located under the removable cover at the bottom of most dishwashers.
If you lift this cover, you should see a small hole with a plastic filter. This drain filter collects any large pieces of food before it falls down the drain. Remove this and empty it in the garbage before rinsing it with hot water and soap.