We don’t often think about cleaning the things in our house that actually do the cleaning. Like your dishwasher, for instance. But it makes sense when you think about how much gunk is going through your dishwasher every time you use it! Even if you regularly rinse your dishes first, there’s all sorts of grease and grime that are going through the system!

Sometimes, it’s obvious that your dishwasher needs a cleaning- you might see some build-up on the walls or floor, or there might be a funky smell when you open your dishwasher. Whether you are seeing these obvious indicators or not, it’s not a bad idea to routinely clean your dishwasher to keep it squeaky clean and working its best!

Here’s how to ensure a clean and effective dishwasher:

• Do a daily wipe down. Each time you use the dishwasher, check for bits of food that might be left behind, and wipe down anything you see to prevent build-up and bacteria.
• Clean out the filter. This is where a lot of the gunk and food debris gets stuck, and a big source of gross dishwasher smells! Pull it out and wash with soap and water. You can use a toothbrush to help scrub out small bits of debris as well. It’s a good idea to do this routinely.
• Use white vinegar. Pour a cup of vinegar into a bowl and set it on the top rack. Run your dishwasher on the hottest setting. The vinegar will help absorb smells and break down build-up on the walls. It’s not a bad idea to keep a spray bottle of vinegar on hand and occasionally spray the walls of your dishwasher as well!
• Use baking soda. Sprinkle one cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher, and again, run it on the hottest setting. This should help absorb any remaining odors. If you want a really intense cleaning, you can create baking soda “bombs”: create a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and create some dollops on parchment paper. Let it dry for a few hours, and then you can throw them in the bottom of the dishwasher and run it on the hottest cycle. For some extra scent help, you can even add a couple drops of essential oils.
• Clean out the spray arms. It is possible to get food stuck there occasionally, so it’s not a bad idea to clean them out periodically.

You can prevent a lot of problems by staying on top of your dishwasher upkeep and rinsing your dishes before sticking them into the dishwasher. It pays to clean your dishwasher!