Do Dishwashers Need Cleaning? Here’s What I Learned After Doing It Myself

When I first got my dishwasher, I genuinely thought I had discovered the ultimate hack for easy kitchen cleanup. It washed, dried, and made my dishes shine like new every single day. But after a few months, I started to notice a weird smell coming from the machine. My glasses weren’t looking as clear, and the inside walls began to appear greasy. That’s when it dawned on me—even dishwashers need a little TLC. It’s kind of funny, right? A machine designed to clean should be able to keep itself clean. But just like your bathroom or sink, it gathers grime from everyday use. In this post, I’ll share everything I learned when I took on the task of cleaning my dishwasher—step by step. I’ll explain how to clean the inside, how often it should be done, and why it’s important for both your home and your health. If your dishwasher has a funky smell or isn’t getting your dishes clean, you’ve come to the right spot. Let’s dive into the essentials of dishwasher maintenance!

Why Do Dishwashers Need Cleaning?

This was a question that puzzled me for a while. I mean, why would a machine that blasts hot water and detergent need a good scrub? After diving into some research and reflecting on my own experiences, I discovered that dishwashers can actually trap food bits, grease, hard water minerals, and soap scum over time. These pesky buildups can settle in the filter, spray arms, seals, and even the walls of the machine. As they pile up, your dishwasher starts to lose its mojo.

Think about it like this: just like the range hood filter that catches oil and steam, or the grime that gathers under kitchen appliances, your dishwasher can hold onto leftover food, greasy layers, and mineral deposits. If you let it slide, you’ll start to see the effects on your dishes and even in the air around your kitchen.

Another important reason to keep your dishwasher clean is to prevent mold. The warm, moist environment is a perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria, especially if you tend to keep the door closed after a cycle. So, cleaning your dishwasher isn’t just about keeping it running smoothly—it’s also about maintaining hygiene and safety.

Signs That Your Dishwasher Needs Cleaning

I noticed a few telltale signs that my dishwasher was in dire need of a deep clean. First up, the smell. If you’ve ever opened your dishwasher and been greeted by a sour, musty, or rotten odor, that’s a clear indication of trapped food or mold. Trust me, no amount of citrus-scented detergent will mask that unless you give the machine a thorough cleaning.

Next, let’s talk about how the dishes look. I started to realize that my plates felt a bit greasy and my glasses were looking cloudy. Initially, I thought it was the rinse aid or detergent to blame, but the real culprit was lurking inside the machine. Lastly, there’s the performance. Some cycles were dragging on longer than usual, and I noticed water pooling at the bottom of the tub. If your dishwasher isn’t draining properly, it might be a sign that your filter is clogged or the drain needs some attention.

This took me back to a time when I finally decided to peek under my stove. Honestly, I had ignored that spot for years—until I stumbled upon a shocking amount of grease and grime lurking beneath. If you haven’t checked it out yet, take a look at my experience in How to Clean Under Kitchen Appliances. You’ll be surprised at what you find hiding in those hard-to-reach places!

How to Clean the Inside of Your Dishwasher

The first time I tackled cleaning my dishwasher, I was completely taken aback by what I discovered. It wasn’t a tough job, but it did take me around 30 to 40 minutes. I kicked things off by taking out the dishwasher racks and the filter. That filter, which sits at the bottom, was packed with soggy food bits and had a terrible smell. I soaked it in warm, soapy water and grabbed an old toothbrush to scrub it clean.

After that, I checked the spray arms. I used a toothpick to clear out the tiny holes where food particles had gotten stuck. Then, I wiped down the walls with a sponge soaked in vinegar to tackle any grease or residue. For a deep clean, I placed a bowl of white vinegar on the top rack and ran a hot water cycle. Once that was done, I sprinkled some baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and ran a short hot cycle. The results were nothing short of magical.

If you’re already following my guide on How Often to Clean Your Range Hood Filter, you’ll notice that this dishwasher cleaning routine is quite similar—focusing on grease, odors, and hidden grime for a complete kitchen refresh.

Don’t Forget the Dishwasher Filter

The filter is one of the most crucial parts of the dishwasher, yet it often gets overlooked. If you’re anything like me, you probably didn’t even realize it was there. But when I finally opened up the bottom of my machine and pulled it out, I was horrified. It was covered in a slimy, gray sludge and smelled like something rotten. No wonder my dishwasher wasn’t functioning properly!

The filter does a great job of catching food particles to keep the drain clear, but if you neglect to clean it regularly, it can turn into a cozy home for bacteria and mold. Thankfully, cleaning it is a breeze: just soak it in warm, soapy water for about 10–15 minutes, then give it a gentle scrub with a soft brush. Rinse it well and pop it back into its spot.

Cleaning the filter is a bit like checking under your fridge or stove—it’s one of those chores that often gets overlooked but can really improve both the smell and performance of your dishwasher. If you’ve ever tackled the grime hiding beneath your kitchen appliances, you know how satisfying it is to uncover and clean those neglected areas.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher?

Before I ran into some issues with my dishwasher, I never really thought about how often it needed cleaning. Now, I’ve got a solid routine to keep buildup at bay. Each week, I do a quick wipe-down of the door seals and run the garbage disposal before I start the dishwasher. Every two weeks, I take out the filter for a quick scrub. And once a month, I treat it to a deep clean cycle with vinegar and baking soda.

This routine is similar to how I handle my range hood filter—deep cleaning it monthly and doing some spot cleaning in between. If you use your dishwasher daily like I do, this schedule helps everything run smoothly. If your usage is lighter, cleaning it every 6–8 weeks should do the trick.

I also tie this into a bigger kitchen maintenance day, where I clean out the fridge, wipe down the counters, and check under the stove and dishwasher. (If you haven’t peeked under those appliances yet, check out my guide: How to Clean Under Kitchen Appliances.)

Natural vs. Store-Bought Dishwasher Cleaners

When I first decided to clean my dishwasher, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the cleaner options out there—liquids, tablets, powders, and even sprays. But since I prefer to keep things low-tox, I opted to start with natural methods. My favorite combo is simply white vinegar and baking soda.

Vinegar is fantastic for tackling mineral buildup and getting rid of unpleasant odors, while baking soda brings in that gentle scrubbing action and helps freshen things up inside. This DIY approach worked wonders for me and took me back to those simple tricks I used when cleaning my range hood filter—especially when it came to breaking down those greasy layers.

If you’re in an area with hard water, using store-bought products every few months can be beneficial. But for regular upkeep, this natural method is perfect—and chances are, you already have everything you need in your pantry. Just like cleaning under kitchen appliances or inside filters, sticking to a routine is way more important than relying on harsh chemicals.

Final Thoughts: A Clean Dishwasher Is a Happy Dishwasher

I never thought I’d get so invested in cleaning my dishwasher, but now it’s a key part of my home care routine. I learned the hard way that dishwashers need a good clean—just like any other appliance in the kitchen. Letting food bits and grease accumulate only shortens your machine’s lifespan and affects how well it cleans.

Since I started a monthly cleaning schedule and kept up with little tasks like wiping down the seal and scrubbing the filter, I’ve seen a massive improvement. My dishes come out sparkling, there’s no funky smell when I open the door, and I feel so much better knowing my family isn’t eating off plates washed in a dirty machine.

Trust me—once you embrace a simple, routine approach to these kitchen areas, everything just runs smoother.