Subscribe for updates

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

  • Home
  • COOKBOOK
  • Blog
  • ABOUT
↑
  • Home
  • Farm Life
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Survival
  • Money Savin’
    • Best Deals On
    • Thrifty Tips
  • Recipes
    • Freezer Meals
    • From Scratch
    • Frugal Recipes
  • Oils
  • ABOUT
  • Contact
  • WORK WITH ME

Happy Money Saver

A thrifty blog with freezer meals and DIY recipes.

  • Recipes
    • Cookbook
    • Freezer Meals
    • Vintage
    • Family Favorites
  • Money Savin’
    • Gift Ideas
    • Best Deals On…
    • Thrifty Tips
    • Happy Thoughts
    • Black Friday
  • Farm Life
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Survival
  • DIY
    • Around My Home
    • Health & Oils
    • Cleaning Recipes
    • Beauty Recipes
    • Get Some Essential Oils

Home » Money Savin' » Thrifty Tips » How to Clean Your Dishwasher in 4 Easy Steps

How to Clean Your Dishwasher in 4 Easy Steps

This post may contain affiliate links. See the disclosure policy for more information.
5.4K shares
  • FACEBOOK
  • YUMMLY
  • EMAIL THIS!

Sponsored by Frigidaire Gallery®.

How to Clean your Dshwasher

I don’t know about you, but to me it sounds like an oxymoron to clean your dishwasher. Isn’t it cleaned every time you use the dishwasher? I mean it is what the dishwasher does—wash dishes. But just like with your washer machine, soap scum can build up along with food particles and other yuck.

So what should you do to clean your dishwasher? Just follow these steps …

How to Clean your Dishwasher

1.  Take Out and Clean Dishwasher Parts

How to Clean the Filters in your Dishwasher - Easy Easy Easy!

Take out all parts of the dishwasher that can be removed by hand. Typically dishwashers have a filter in them to remove and clean. In my Frigidaire Gallery® Dishwasher I have a fine grade and coarse grade filter, and so I only need to check and clean it when necessary if large food particles become trapped or when I notice a drop in cleaning performance.  The filters on my dishwasher are self-cleaning, but when I want to do a deep clean or get out tough gunk I do clean those filters out.  Here is the gunk I found when I cleaned my filter out….I know…ewwwww!

Typically dishwashers have a filter in them to remove and clean. In my Frigidaire Gallery® Dishwasher I have a fine grade and coarse grade filter, and so I only need to check and clean it when necessary if large food particles become trapped or when I notice a drop in cleaning performance. The filters on my dishwasher are self-cleaning, but when I want to do a deep clean or get out tough gunk I do clean those filters out.

Take them out, and clean them with warm, soapy water. You may need a sponge to get all the gunk out of your filter.

How to clean your Dishwasher How to Clean your Dishwasher filters

2. Wipe out the inside of the Dishwasher with Soap & Water

How to clean your dishwasher stainless steel parts

Gunk—everything from food particles to bits of plastic—can get stuck in on the edges of the dishwasher door, or on the walls of the dishwasher. Take a dishcloth with warm soapy water and wipe it all down well.

3.  Clean and Sanitize Dishwasher with Vinegar

Make sure the dishwasher is completely empty of all dishes. Then take a dishwasher-safe cup, such as a glass measuring cup, and fill it with vinegar. Place the cup with the vinegar in the dishwasher on the bottom rack and run the dishwasher on the hottest cycle.  The vinegar will sanitize the dishwasher removing any odors that linger. If your dishwasher has a lot of hard water stains you may need to do this routine more than once.

4. Clean the Outside of the Dishwasher

How to clean the outside of your stainless steel dishwasher and clean the inside too easily!

Once the inside is clean, next you’ll want to clean the front of the dishwasher. Start by wiping down the top of the door that meets the top of the dishwasher. Then take warm soapy water and wipe down the front of the dishwasher. Then dry it all off with a soft towel.

How to Clean Your Dishwasher with these 3 easy steps!

When I clean my Frigidaire Gallery® Dishwasher regularly once every 2-3 months, I find that my dishes come out sparkly clean which saves me time. No more irritating little food particles to have to rewash! And I really love the soft rubbery prongs that keep my cups from banging all around while they are getting cleaned. It’s probably my favorite feature about my dishwasher.

Easy method for Cleaning your Dishwasher and getting rid of the film on dishes

Cleaning out your dishwasher not only helps with odors and ickiness, but it can also help your dishwasher keep your dishes coming out sparkly clean.

Pssssst...

Make sure to follow along with @HappyMoneySaver on Instagram, connect with me on Facebook and pin along with me on Pinterest!.

Want all the latest straight to your inbox? get the Happy Money Saver Newsletter straight to your inbox!

August 3, 2016
Money Savin', Thrifty Tips

Comments

  1. Kelly says

    June 23, 2021

    I just wish there was a printer friendly version.

    Reply
  2. Angela says

    December 30, 2020

    I’m gonna have to try the vinegar to maybe help with smell and scum

    Reply
  3. Mary says

    November 9, 2017

    I do not use a rinsing agent. I just add about 1/2 cup of vinegar right into the dishwasher. My dishes, glasses, silverware and pots and pans come out sparkling clean.

    Reply
  4. Charlene says

    June 28, 2017

    Had different dishwashers all my life and NEVER had to do this. This particular model has a defect and that is why your dishes are not coming out clean and you have to go through all this work every month to get a clean set. I do not recommend this brand of dishwasher to anyone. Get one that is self cleaning and that breaks down food particles and doesn’t reuse the dirty water twice! I wish I could return mine, but it’s passed the warranty. I have never had a dishwater before that worked so poorly. It looks nice, but that is about it.

    Reply
    • Gary Eisenhauer says

      September 22, 2022

      Fully sympathize with you. Having the exact same problem. It is gross for a dishwasher to do this! Will never buy a Frigidaire Dishwasher again.

      Reply
  5. Deb Hansen says

    August 8, 2016

    I was told by a repairman to never use vinegar in dishwashers because it destroys all the rubber parts over time. I don’t know if this is true but I stopped using it. Has anyone else heard about this? I’m thinking about using baking sods instead. I use that to clean my frig.

    Reply
  6. Merrikay says

    August 4, 2016

    We can all do this. One tip that my son gave me though is to take photos as I take the filter apart. Sure helped me get it back together correctly!

    Reply
  7. Pawalk says

    February 26, 2016

    I struggled with my dishwasher and finally switched to a liquid (Cascade Gel) and it made a huge difference. I think it depends on your water and the make and model of dishwasher you have, what works best.

    Reply
  8. Oleth says

    February 11, 2016

    Are you running your water first to get it hot, before starting the dishes? If so, then maybe switch detergents.

    Reply
  9. Helen says

    March 6, 2014

    I definitely need to try this! My dishes have been coming out of the dishwasher with spots — maybe this will help.

    Reply
    • Granny Sandy says

      August 3, 2016

      For hard water areas, try Lemi Shine ~ EXCELLENT product for spots and film on dishes/glassware.

      Reply
  10. Patti says

    February 24, 2014

    We have hard water so Finnish cubes dishwasher detergent works best for me, (Cascade gel is the worst) and the solid Jet Dry rinse agent that comes in a little basket. Every once in a while the glassware looks spotted so I dip a cotton ball in vinegar and wipe glasses inside and out and they look like new again! I also put white vinegar in the rinse agent dispenser.

    Reply
  11. mark says

    February 24, 2014

    I always use a cup or more of white vinegar, when I wash my dishes and they come out looking like new!

    Reply
    • mark says

      February 24, 2014

      I also use white vinegar in my laundry as a natural bleach substitute!

      Reply
  12. Jennifer says

    September 26, 2013

    I do not clean mine on a regular schedule but when my dishes start look dingy or I see bits of food in the bottom…I know its time :0)

    Cleaning the dishwasher definately makes a difference to its performance!

    Reply
  13. Jessica says

    September 26, 2013

    I’m not sure how to take apart my machine… LOL

    Reply
    • Hope says

      August 3, 2016

      I don’t think I can take it off? I don’t want to end up calling a repair man?

      Reply
    • Crystal says

      August 3, 2016

      Me too! Mine’s at least 19 years old so most of what’s posted today doesn’t help me. ?

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Karrie

Hello & Welcome!

I'm Karrie. Come join me on my money savin' adventures but beware: you may find yourself wanting backyard chickens, making freezer meals and dancing along with me to 80's music.
About KarrieInstagramFacebook

Popular Recipes

Best EVER Homemade Carpet Cleaner Solution

15 Actually Easy Freezer Meals (Seriously!)

toilet with pou pourri spray

What’s that smell? – DIY Poo Fragrance Spray for the Bathroom

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

The Thrifty Lazy Way to Clean your Glass Stovetop

Making 50 Freezer Meals in one Day

It’s Soup Season!

48 Healthy Freezer Meals

Creamy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

crockpot freezer meals

20 Delicious Crockpot Freezer Meals

10 Fantastic Freezer Soups

Simple Chili With Smoked Sausage

Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe

search

by Topic

archives

About  |  Contact  |  Privacy Policy
Copyright ©2023, Happy Money Saver. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs