In theory, your dishwasher should be constantly cleaning itself — but sadly, it isn't. Over time, bits of food, grease, undissolved detergent, and water minerals build up on the dishwasher's filter and interior walls. Along with an unpleasant odor and look, this gunk can actually leave spots and film on your glassware, dinnerware, and flatware. In short, that means if you don't clean your dishwasher correctly, your appliance can't fully do its job. Plus, if you let the food and grime build up, it can seriously damage the dishwasher's filter and pump, ultimately resulting in costly repairs.

But after a bit of research and experimentation, I discovered a highly effective method for cleaning a dishwasher, and that’s what I’ll be sharing with you in today’s post! I’ll start by quickly explaining how this method works, and then I’ll explain the simple 3-step process in detail. Then I’ll round things out by offering a few bonus tips for keeping your dishwasher working in tip-top shape!

How It Works

The cleaning process I came up with relies on a few of my favorite cleaning ingredients: white vinegar and baking soda. White vinegar helps to remove grime, dissolve mineral deposits, and sanitize your dishwasher. And using baking soda helps to remove lingering odors and scrub away stuck-on food bits, residues, and stains.

Every time I use this method, it leaves my dishwasher squeaky clean, smelling fresh, and it solves any drainage issues. Here’s how it’s done!

Step 1 – Inspect

The Drain Before you start cleaning you dishwasher, it’s a good idea to quickly check the area around the drain. Remove the bottom rack for easier access, then feel the area around the drain.

Remove any foreign material you find to prevent it from blocking the drain. (You’d be surprised at what repairmen often find down there—bones, crab shells, glass shards, bits of plastic, etc.)

This is also a good opportunity to inspect the holes in the spray arm. If they look grimy, dip an old toothbrush into some vinegar and use it to scrub any food particles out the the spray holes. Replace the bottom rack when you’re done.

Step 2 – Vinegar Wash

Set a small dishwasher-safe bowl on the top rack of your empty dishwasher, then fill it with white vinegar. Close your dishwasher and run a complete wash cycle on the hottest setting.

Step 3 – Baking Soda Wash

Once the first wash cycle is finished, sprinkle a handful of baking soda into the bottom of your dishwasher. Run it through another quick wash cycle using the hottest water setting.