To clean a dishwasher, empty it and pull out the bottom rack, then take out the filter from the floor of the tub (on most models you twist it counterclockwise and lift it out). Rinse the filter under warm water and scrub it with a soft brush, clear the spray arm holes, wipe the door edges and seal, then run the empty machine on its hottest cycle. A cup of white vinegar upright on the top rack is optional. Clean the filter about once a month, or sooner if dishes come out gritty or the dishwasher smells. If your dishwasher has no removable filter, it probably has a self-cleaning one; your manual will say.
The week after Thanksgiving, our dishwasher ran three times a day and somehow the dishes got worse. Gritty glasses, a film on the plates, and a smell every time I opened the door that I can only describe as "leftovers." I'd been blaming the detergent. Then I pulled out the bottom rack and, for the first time in the three years we've owned that dishwasher, twisted out the filter. I won't describe what was in it. Ten minutes at the sink and one hot cycle later, the smell was gone and the glasses were clear. Here's the whole routine, step by step, using guidance from experts.
How do you clean a dishwasher?
Clean it from the bottom up: filter first, then spray arms, then the door, then a hot cycle. Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech says to clean the dishwasher following the manufacturer's instructions, remove and clear the filter if it isn't self-cleaning, and clean the spray arms so the water spray stays strong. Check your manual before you start.
- Empty it. Unload the dishes, pull out the bottom rack and pick out any food, glass or labels sitting on the floor of the tub.
- Clean the filter. Twist it out, rinse it under warm running water and scrub it with a soft brush or sponge (full steps below).
- Clear the spray arms. Spin each arm by hand to make sure it turns freely. If any holes look blocked, poke them clear with a toothpick. Most lower arms lift or twist off if you want to rinse them in the sink.
- Wipe the door and seal. Use a cloth with warm, soapy water on the door edges, the rubber seal and the bottom lip of the door. That strip never gets hit by the spray, so gunk collects there.
- Run it hot. Put the filter and racks back, then run the empty dishwasher on its hottest cycle. For extra help with film and mineral spots, set a cup of white vinegar upright on the top rack first, unless your manual says not to.
How do you clean a dishwasher filter?
Take it out and wash it by hand. Habitat for Humanity Portland Region's home repair guide gives the basic method for the common two-part filter: remove the bottom rack, take off the lower spray arm if it's in the way, twist the cylinder filter to the left to unlock it and lift it out, then lift out the flat filter underneath, which isn't locked.
- Pull out the bottom rack. The filter sits on the floor of the tub, usually at the back or in the center below the lower spray arm.
- Remove the spray arm if needed. On some models it covers the filter. Habitat's guide says to grab it slowly and twist it counterclockwise.
- Twist out the cylinder filter. Turn it to the left (counterclockwise) to unlock, then lift it straight up.
- Lift out the flat mesh filter. It sits under the cylinder and lifts out once the cylinder is gone.
- Rinse and scrub. Hold both parts under warm running water and clean them with a soft brush or sponge until the mesh is clear. A drop of dish soap helps with grease. Skip wire brushes and scouring pads, which can damage the mesh.
- Wipe the filter housing. Pick out anything left in the opening where the filter sits.
- Put it back. Set the flat filter in place, then twist the cylinder clockwise until it locks. A loose filter lets food back into the water.
Where is the dishwasher filter?
On the floor of the tub, under the bottom rack. On most dishwashers it's a round cylinder near the back or center, below the lower spray arm, with a flat mesh piece around it. If you can't find it, search your dishwasher's model number plus "filter" for the manual page. The model number is often on a label along the edge of the door or the side of the tub.
Do all dishwashers have a filter?
Yes, but not all of them need cleaning by hand. Virginia Cooperative Extension separates two kinds: self-cleaning filters, which handle food bits on their own, and manual filters, which you remove and clear. If your dishwasher has a twist-out cylinder on the floor of the tub, it's a manual filter. If there's nothing to remove, check the manual to confirm it's self-cleaning.
How often should you clean a dishwasher filter?
About once a month. Habitat for Humanity Portland Region recommends cleaning the filters monthly because food builds up in them, and dishwashers don't clean manual filters while they run. Do it sooner during heavy weeks, like the days after a holiday dinner, or any time you see food on clean dishes or smell something when you open the door.
What happens if you don't clean a dishwasher filter?
The dishes stop getting clean. Habitat's guide says food buildup can clog the dishwasher, so dishes come out dirty and stained. A clogged filter is also a common reason for a bad smell, standing water in the bottom of the tub and gritty glasses. Our guide to loading a dishwasher so dishes actually come out clean covers the other causes.
Can you clean a dishwasher filter without removing it?
Not well. You can pick loose food off the top, but the mesh needs running water and a brush to clear properly. Manual filters are made to come out by hand with a twist, no tools needed.
Can you soak a dishwasher filter in vinegar?
Warm, soapy water is all most filters need. If there's still a white, chalky film after scrubbing, check your manual before soaking the filter in vinegar or anything else.
How do you clean a dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda?
Use them after you've cleaned the filter, not instead of it. Vinegar and baking soda are the most common homemade dishwasher cleaner, and you probably already have both. Our kitchen cleaning tips use them around the rest of the kitchen too.
- Clean the filter and spray arms first. Neither vinegar nor baking soda can clear a clogged filter.
- Vinegar cycle. Set a glass or ceramic cup of white vinegar upright on the top rack of the empty dishwasher and run the hottest cycle.
- Baking soda rinse. Sprinkle about a cup of baking soda across the floor of the tub and run a short hot cycle to freshen it.
Run them as two separate cycles. Mixed together, vinegar and baking soda fizz and mostly cancel each other out. Check your manual first, since some manufacturers say what you can and can't run through the machine.
Dishwasher cleaner vs vinegar: do you need a dishwasher cleaner?
Not always. A store-bought dishwasher cleaner and a vinegar cycle do the same job: a monthly hot cycle that helps with film, mineral spots and buildup inside the tub. Neither one cleans a manual filter, so step 2 is the same either way.
| Dishwasher cleaner (tablet, gel or powder) | White vinegar | |
|---|---|---|
| How you use it | Follow the package; usually in the detergent cup or on the floor of an empty machine | One cup, upright on the top rack of an empty machine |
| Cost | You buy it separately | Already in most pantries |
| Cleans the filter? | No. Clean it by hand first | No. Clean it by hand first |
| Check first | Your manual and the package directions | Your manual |
| Good choice if… | Your manual recommends one, or you want a pre-measured option | You want a cheap monthly reset and your manual allows it |
If your manual names a specific cleaner, follow it. Otherwise, the cleaning routine matters more than the product: a clean filter, clear spray arms and a hot cycle once a month.
Why does my dishwasher smell?
Almost always it's food trapped somewhere the water doesn't rinse away: the filter, the bottom of the tub or the door seal. Start with the filter, then work through the list.
| What you notice | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Sour, "leftovers" smell | Food packed into the filter | Clean the filter, then run a hot cycle |
| Fishy smell | Seafood or egg scraps caught in the filter or tub | Scrape plates well, clean the filter, run a vinegar cycle |
| Smell plus water left in the bottom | Clogged filter or drain | Clean the filter; see "not draining" below |
| Musty smell when you open the door | Damp machine kept closed, or gunk on the door seal | Wipe the seal and bottom lip; leave the door cracked after a cycle |
| Smell after the garbage disposal runs | The dishwasher drains through the disposal | Run and clean the garbage disposal before starting the dishwasher |
How do you get rid of a dishwasher smell?
Clean the filter, wipe the door seal, then run a hot cycle with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack. If the smell comes back within a week or two, the filter is filling up faster than you're cleaning it. Scrape plates better and check the filter every couple of weeks.
What is the black gunk on my dishwasher door seal?
It's usually a mix of food, grease and moisture that builds up where the spray doesn't reach. Wipe it off with warm, soapy water and an old toothbrush, dry the seal, and leave the door cracked open after cycles so the inside can air out.
Why is my dishwasher not draining?
Check the filter first. A clogged filter is the easiest fix for standing water in the bottom of the tub. If the filter is clean and water still sits there, the drain hose may be kinked or blocked, or the garbage disposal it drains through may need to be run or cleared. If none of that works, stop running the dishwasher and call a repair technician.
How do you keep a dishwasher clean longer?
A few habits keep the filter from filling up as fast and the smell from coming back.
- Scrape, don't rinse. The U.S. Department of Energy says to scrape off large food pieces and bones instead of rinsing. ENERGY STAR adds that rinsing dishes first wastes water and energy. Virginia Cooperative Extension estimates pre-rinsing can waste up to 20 gallons of water. More ways to cut water use are in our water and energy saving tips.
- Run full loads. Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Department of Energy both say to run the dishwasher full, but not overloaded.
- Load it right. Dishes that block the spray arms leave food behind. Our dishwasher loading guide shows rack by rack.
- Let it air out. The Department of Energy suggests propping the door open slightly after the final rinse so dishes dry. It also lets the tub dry.
- Put it on the calendar. Filter once a month, plus an extra check after big holiday meals.
Cleaning the washer too? See how to clean a washing machine, and how to clean your kitchen sink while you're at it.
HeySunday Dishwasher Detergent Sheets
Pre-measured HeySunday dishwasher sheets mean one less thing to measure. Clean filter, full load, your usual cycle. Comparing formats? See our dishwasher detergent sheets guide.
Dishwasher cleaning FAQs
What is the best way to clean the inside of a dishwasher?
Clean the filter by hand, clear the spray arms, wipe the door edges and seal, then run the empty dishwasher on its hottest cycle. A cup of white vinegar upright on the top rack is optional, unless your manual says not to use it.
How do I clean my dishwasher filter?
Pull out the bottom rack, twist the cylinder filter counterclockwise and lift it out, then lift out the flat mesh filter underneath. Rinse both under warm running water, scrub them with a soft brush, and twist the cylinder back until it locks.
How often should you clean a dishwasher filter?
About once a month, and sooner after heavy use or if you notice a smell or food on clean dishes. Dishwashers don't clean manual filters during a cycle.
Do all dishwashers have a filter that needs to be cleaned?
All dishwashers have a filter, but some are self-cleaning. If yours has a twist-out cylinder on the floor of the tub, it's a manual filter and needs cleaning by hand. Your manual will say which type you have.
Can I pour vinegar in my dishwasher to clean it?
Set a cup of white vinegar upright on the top rack instead of pouring it in, then run the empty dishwasher on a hot cycle. Clean the filter first, and check your manual before using vinegar.
Is vinegar better than dishwasher cleaner?
Both do the same job: a monthly hot cycle that helps with film and buildup. Vinegar is cheaper; a cleaner is pre-measured. Neither cleans the filter, so clean it by hand either way, and follow your manual if it recommends a specific product.
Why does my dishwasher smell?
Usually food trapped in the filter, the bottom of the tub or the door seal. Clean the filter, wipe the seal, run a hot cycle, and leave the door cracked open after cycles so the inside can dry.
Can a dirty filter stop a dishwasher from draining?
Yes. A clogged filter is one of the most common reasons water stays in the bottom of the tub. Clean it first, then check the drain hose and garbage disposal, and call a technician if water still won't drain.
Sources
- Habitat for Humanity Portland Region, Home Repair 101: How to Clean Your Dishwasher Filters
- Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), Energy Series: What About Dishwashers? (BSE-305)
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Savers: Dishwashers (archived)
- ENERGY STAR, Dishwashers (archived December 2020)
