5 STEPS TO CLEAN A DISHWASHER

Every household with a dishwasher relies on it to clean glasses, dishes, pots, pans, cutlery and other essentials post-meal. 

Unfortunately, mineral build-up and food residue can prevent your dishwasher from performing optimally. Cleaning your dishwasher is key to preventing damage, clogs and leaks and a vital part of its overall maintenance. 

It’s recommended to clean your dishwasher every 30 days to ensure it performs as needed. Following the steps in this guide will show you how it’s done.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLEANING YOUR DISHWASHER

Start by gathering these supplies:

• Sponge or microfiber cloth 

• Warm, soapy water

• Toothbrush with soft bristles

• Dishwasher cleaning tablets (if applicable)

• Stainless steel appliance cleaner (if applicable)
  
  Follow these steps to clean your dishwasher.

1. REMOVE FOOD RESIDUE FROM YOUR DISHWASHER’S INTERIOR

Food tends to fall to the bottom of the dishwasher during loading. You must remove any food or residue to help keep your appliance smelling fresh for longer. Then, use a paper towel or a clean rag to remove any items caught in the drain after each cycle.

2. WIPE AWAY GRIME

Mineral deposits, limescale and grease are examples of grime that can commonly build up in the dishwasher over time. Regardless of the type of grime, it will negatively impact your dishwasher's performance, make your glassware cloudy and leave dishes with caked-on crumbs. The solution is to use a damp sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe away the residue on the inside of the door, paying attention to the edges and control panel. The rubber seal that lines the door, called gaskets, needs to be cleaned as well. Carefully scrub the gasket with a soft toothbrush to get rid of grime from crevices without applying too much pressure on the seal.

3.CLEAN THE DISHWASHER FILTER

Some dishwashers have a maintenance-free filter, but if yours doesn’t, you must manually remove and clean the filter every month to help maintain its performance. 

Follow these steps to clean your dishwasher filter:

• Find the filter, typically located under the spray arm on the bottom of the dishwasher, and then unlock and remove it. 

• Rinse the filter under warm, soapy water and then use a soft toothbrush to remove any stubborn food particles stuck on the mesh and plastic components. 

• Rinse the filter again

• Lock the filter back into place

Select KitchenAid^® Dishwashers are designed with a convenient maintenance-free filter system that doesn’t require owners to regularly clean or maintain it. With this system, you will only need to occasionally empty the cup that stops foreign objects from entering the pump, if it’s full.

4.ACHIEVE A DEEP CLEAN BY USING CLEANING TABLETS

Using tablets to clean your dishwasher is a proven way to help remove the build-up inside the dishwasher cavity, including hard-to-reach places. 

Tablets are a convenient solution as most are safe to use in a dishwasher with or without items loaded. Additionally, many tablets are safe for both stainless steel and plastic-tub dishwashers. 

Refer to your dishwasher’s manual and cleaning tablet instructions before using tablets to clean your appliance.

5. WIPE THE DISHWASHER’S EXTERIOR

Regular wipedowns of your dishwasher’s exterior, including the door panel, sides and handle can keep it looking clean and new. Use a soft, damp cloth and mild detergent to get the job done. Use can also use a specially formulated stainless steel cleaner for the facade of stainless steel models. 

When cleaning stainless steel appliances, always wipe in a back-and-forth motion along the grain. Never use abrasive cleaning products as they can harm the finish.

GUIDE TO USING AFFRESH^® DISHWASHER CLEANER

Affresh^® cleaners are specially formulated to help clean appliances and remove mineral build-up. Use affresh^® dishwasher cleaner once a month to get rid of white spots and remove film left by certain detergents. More than one treatment may be needed for more severe spots.

Follow these instructions (the same that appear on the affresh^® dishwasher cleaner package):

CLEANING YOUR EMPTY DISHWASHER:

1. Add one tablet to the detergent tray

2. If your dishwasher has experienced a significant mineral buildup, add a second tablet to the bottom of the appliance.

3. Start a normal wash cycle

CLEANING YOUR DISHWASHER WITH ITEMS:

1. Add one tablet to your dishwasher’s bottom.

2. Add powder, liquid or a dishwasher pod to the detergent tray.

3. Start a normal wash cycle.

Click the link to find where to buy affresh^® cleaners online and in-store.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR DISHWASHER WITH BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR

You can take a natural approach to cleaning your dishwasher by using convenient alternatives like vinegar or baking soda. 

Before embarking on this method, remember that vinegar is not recommended for every dishwasher interior. Make sure you review your dishwasher’s Use and Care guide before cleaning your appliance with household ingredients.

To clean your dishwasher with white vinegar:

1. Take a dishwasher-safe glass and fill it with 2 cups of white vinegar. Next, put it on the bottom of the dishwasher. Do not include detergent as the vinegar will mix with the wash water.

2. Run a complete washing cycle using the air-dry or energy-saving dry options.

To clean your dishwasher with baking soda:

1. Sprinkle one cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher, covering as much of the area as you can.

2. Run a short, hot water cycle

HOW TO REMOVE MINERAL DEPOSITS AND ODOURS FROM MY DISHWASHER

Cleaning your dishwasher must be part of your ongoing appliance maintenance routine. This can help prevent mineral deposits from forming and odours from developing.

However, certain issues may require you to perform a more thorough cleaning. For instance, extremely hard water mineral deposits may damage your dishwasher, making it difficult to achieve the level of cleaning you want. In this case, it’s strongly recommended to use a water softener if your water hardness is 15 grains or more.

Unpleasant dishwasher odours can include the distinct plastic smell of a new appliance or a musty and spoiled scent that’s the product of standing water or rancid food. If your dishwasher use is limited to every two or three days, you should consider running a “rinse only” cycle every day until you have a full load to help prevent odours. Smells like plastic, petroleum or varnish are normal for a new dishwasher and should dissipate on their own in a few weeks. To speed up the process, run a white vinegar rise or use affresh^® dishwasher cleaner.

If your house has hard water or water with high mineral content, you may encounter significant mineral build-up inside the dishwasher and on your dishes. Use a liquid rinse aid and keep the rinse aid dispenser consistently filled. This may help prevent mineral build-up. 

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