How to Clean a Dishwasher

Dishwashers clean your dishes, but nothing cleans the dishwasher. Grease, food debris, limescale, and detergent residue build up inside over time, settling in the filter, around the door seal, along the spray arm holes, and across the base.

MadeKind's approach to home cleaning centres on low-tox, plant-based methods that actually work, and that applies to appliances as much as it does to surfaces. This guide covers everything you need and a clear step-by-step routine for cleaning a dishwasher naturally, without harsh chemicals or single-use products.

Why Cleaning Your Dishwasher Matters

A dirty dishwasher cleans less well. Blocked spray arms prevent water from being distributed evenly. A clogged filter traps food particles that then circulate back onto dishes. Grease and residue in the interior leave a film that shows up as cloudiness on glasses or a faint smell on plates straight out of a hot cycle.

Regular cleaning also protects the appliance itself. Limescale, a hard water problem that affects the majority of UK homes, builds up on heating elements and internal parts over time. Keeping it in check with a monthly routine is far less disruptive than dealing with drainage failures or a machine that gradually stops performing well.

What You Need to Clean a Dishwasher Naturally

The kit is small, and most of it is probably already in the house.

White vinegar dissolves limescale and cuts through grease residue. Bicarbonate of soda neutralises odours and freshens the interior drum. A soft cloth or MadeKind's organic cotton dishcloths handle wipe-downs without scratching. An old toothbrush reaches tight spaces around the door seal and detergent drawer. Rubber gloves keep hands clear of loosened food debris and grime.

One note before starting: check the manufacturer's manual. Some dishwasher brands advise against frequent vinegar use because the acidity can wear rubber components over time. For those machines, an appliance-safe descaler is the better option.

How to Clean a Dishwasher Step by Step

Here are the steps to clean a dishwasher step by step:

Empty the Dishwasher

Remove all dishes, cutlery trays and any loose debris from the base. Check for food fragments around the drain area before anything else.

Clean the Filter

The filter is usually at the base of the interior and twists out by hand. Rinse it under warm running water, then scrub with a soft brush or an old toothbrush to remove grease and trapped food particles. A blocked filter is the most common reason a dishwasher starts to smell or leaves residue on dishes.

Check Spray Arms

Pull out the spray arms if removable and inspect each hole. Use a cocktail stick or thin soft brush to clear any visible debris. These holes direct the water jets that do the actual washing, so even a partial blockage affects how well the cycle performs.

Wipe Seals and Edges

The door seal traps moisture, detergent and food residue in its folds. Wipe the full length of the rubber seal with a damp cloth, paying close attention to the bottom edge. Clean the detergent drawer and the area around the handle, too.

Run a Vinegar Cycle

Place a dishwasher-safe cup of white vinegar on the top rack and run a hot cycle. The vinegar works through the interior during the wash, cutting grease and dissolving light limescale deposits. Run it on its own; never combine vinegar and bicarbonate of soda in the same cycle as the two neutralise each other.

Use Bicarbonate of Soda

Once the vinegar cycle finishes, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda across the base and run a short hot cycle. This targets lingering odours and leaves the interior fresher. Used in sequence rather than together, the two form a safe and effective natural cleaning approach.

How to Deep Clean a Dishwasher

Deep clean when the regular routine is not enough: a smell that persists after a standard clean, cloudy dishes, visible grease around the base, or slow drainage.

Remove Build-Up

Take out the racks and wash them separately with warm water and a small amount of MadeKind's natural dishwash cleaner. Wipe the interior walls and base with a damp cloth, paying attention to corners and the area around the drain.

Treat Limescale

White chalky deposits around the base or spray arms are a hard water sign, common across much of the UK. Vinegar handles light limescale during regular cleans, but heavier build-up needs an appliance-safe descaler used according to the product instructions.

Dishwasher Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Do not make these mistakes while cleaning your dishwasher.

Mixing Cleaners

Never combine bleach with vinegar. The reaction produces chlorine gas. According to the Health and Safety Executive, mixing bleach with acidic household products is a known cause of domestic chemical incidents. Check any commercial dishwasher cleaner for bleach before following up with a vinegar cycle.

Skipping the Filter

Cleaning the interior walls while the filter stays blocked achieves very little. The filter is where most of the problem originates. Clean it every time and check it fortnightly as a habit, rather than waiting for a smell.

Conclusion: Keep Your Dishwasher Cleaner for Longer

Small habits make the biggest difference. Scrape plates before loading, avoid overloading so spray arms can reach all surfaces, and use the correct amount of detergent. Leave the door ajar after a cycle so moisture can escape rather than settle inside.

A monthly natural clean using vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, alongside fortnightly filter checks, covers most households.

MadeKind's journal answers whether natural cleaning products work and includes a full guide to making a homemade bathroom cleaner, going room by room. MadeKind's cleaning products range covers the whole home, are plant-based, and are refillable throughout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore the answers to these common questions on dishwasher cleaning.