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It's important to know how to clean a dishwasher as well as how to clean a dishwasher filter. All you need is vinegar and baking soda!
How to Clean a Dishwasher (and Clean your Dish Washer Filter Too!)
If you haven't cleaned your dishwasher lately, you need to do this today.Â
For.
Real.
Over time, grease, soap scum, and germs can build up in your dishwasher. It's important not only from a cleanliness standpoint to clean your dishwasher (and your dishwasher filter), but it will also help keep it running efficiently when it's as clean as it can be! You don't need to buy any commercial dishwasher cleaners – it's super easy to clean your dishwasher with vinegar, running water, and baking soda!
It's recommended to clean your dishwasher and dishwasher filter once a month – so let's learn how to clean your dishwasher filter!
How to clean your dishwasher filter:Â
First, you'll want to start with an empty dishwasher, so go ahead and unload any clean dishes you have and put them to the side. Then, look on the bottom of your dishwasher and see if you have a filter.
This is going to vary based on the model of your machine, but typically your filter is located underneath the bottom rack. (Note that SOME dishwashers have an upper and lower filter now, so take a look around!)
Once you've located your dishwasher filter, you're going to remove the filter and start the process to clean it.
It will be disgusting. There's likely food particles, bits of food and more. I know – it's basically a glorified garbage disposal at this point. Â A little gentle scrubbing and it will be SO much better.Â
Once you've removed your filter, you're going to want to start the process to clean it. You'll let the filter soak for about five to ten minutes in soapy warm water. Go ahead and grab an old toothbrush or a wire brush and scrub the filter (this will help to get all the nooks and crannies cleaned out well).
Once the filter is clean of any debris, you're going to return the filter to dishwasher. Go ahead and put a few cups of white vinegar in a dishwasher safe container and set it on the top rack.
Next, you'll want to run your dishwasher on hottest setting that it has (don't worry about using any dish detergent at this point – just let it run). Running the dishwasher after cleaning the filter well and adding in the vinegar and hot water will get your dishwasher filter SUPER clean!
After you've put your dishwasher filter back in its place, you're going to go ahead and remove the vinegar out of the dishwasher. Next, grab some baking soda and sprinkle the bottom of the dishwasher with baking soda. It doesn't have to be very thick, just make sure it is coated well – probably about a cup of baking soda will work well.
Go ahead and run the dishwasher again on the hottest water cycle. This washing cycle will get everything stirred up much more than a manual cleaning would do. Once the cycle has finished, all of the debris will be washed away.
Congratulations, you have just successfully cleaned your dishwasher and the filter!
This will save you so much on dishwasher repair bills because you'll keep your dishwasher and dishwasher filter CLEAN and running in top-top shape. If you like using natural cleaners, you might also want to try this Homemade Window Cleaner – it's fantastic at leaving windows sparkling!Â
🏠If you're looking for everything you need to tackle your day in one beautiful planner, you might be interested in our Home Planner. It includes space for daily, weekly, monthly and annual entries along with the traditional checklists that our customers have come to love and crave!Â
On the vinegar cycle is the filter in place or on the top rack with the vinegar? I know you put the filter back in place for the baking soda cycle but I was kind of confused on the vinegar cycle.
I had no idea I had a filter in there!! Got it cleaned as soon as I read this!!! Thanks!!!
Yayyy ~ great job getting that done Brooklynn! 🙂
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Clean! I would love the list.
When doing this do you also use the drying cycle or just wash?
Hi Sandi! Just turn it on a regular wash cycle! Madison ~ PPP Team.
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When washing with the vinegar cycle and before the baking soda cycle, is the filter in its place or is it on a rack?
After washing the filter place it back before you run the cleaning cycle. Hope this helps!
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Oh my gosh! I just cleaned my filter and it was gross! Thanks for showing how to do it!
You’re so welcome Susan! 🙂 Great job getting that done!
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Thank you!!
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CLEAN! Wish I knew this before my dishwater broke! Now I will be cleaning my dishwasher! TY
You’re so welcome Ramona! 🙂
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When you remove your floored do yon still have water in that area?
Filter not floored
Hmm, it will probably depend on the unit Tina ~ I would maybe check in your user manual! 🙂
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What About if you do not have a filter. We have a very old dishwasher and it has a raised up plastic grate area bolted down but no filter. We tend to have particles on top of dishes after washing but can’t figure out what is happening
Hmm, maybe check the owner’s manual for your unit (or see if you can find a digital copy of it online, if you don’t still have the original one!). Hope you’re able to figure out what the issue is Kara! 🙂
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Holy cow was my dishwasher disgusting. Thank you for the tips!!
You’re so welcome Jaylor! 🙂
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