Introduction
Many people might miss this important thing to clean while cleaning the kitchen. For many homeowners, the dishwasher is the hero of their kitchen that rarely gets the attention it deserves. You might think that it automatically gets clean with the soapy and hot water because it cleans the dishes, but over time, grease, soap scum, food particles, and even mold can build up inside it, leading to bad smells, cloudy glassware, and poor performance.
But no need to worry, you don’t need harsh chemicals to restore your dishwasher’s shine. With a few simple household ingredients like vinegar and baking soda, you can keep your dishwasher fresh, clean, and running efficiently, the natural way.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to clean your dishwasher naturally with step-by-step DIY methods. We’ll cover how to tackle grime, deodorize stubborn smells, and maintain your machine so your dishes come out sparkling clean every time.
Why Dishwasher is the Important Asset of Your Kitchen?
Think about the moments when your home feels busiest like when guests arrive for a cozy holiday dinner, or you’re hosting family and friends during Thanksgiving, Christmas. Even during celebrations, when you snag that new dinnerware set or bake up a storm to treat your loved ones, there’s one thing that always piles up faster than you expect, the dishes.
Your dishwasher is your silent helper during all these special moments. It takes the mountain of dirty plates, glasses, and cutlery and handles them while you focus on spending time with your guests, sharing laughter, and making memories around the table.
Without a reliable dishwasher, the joy of hosting can quickly turn into stress as the sink overflows with pots, pans, and serving platters. When your dishwasher runs well, it saves you hours of scrubbing by hand, keeps your kitchen organized and hygienic, and ensures your glassware sparkles for the next toast.
Keeping your dishwasher clean and working efficiently means you can open your door to family and friends any time, knowing you won’t be left scrubbing dishes alone when the party’s over. So, treat your dishwasher like a valuable kitchen asset. A little natural cleaning goes a long way to keeping it ready for your next big celebration.
Why Cleaning Your Dishwasher Regularly?
Cleaning your dishwasher might sound unnecessary, after all, it’s constantly cleaning dishes. But think what if food scraps, grease, and soap residue can collect in hidden corners, filters, spray arms, and seals. Over time, this buildup can:
- Cause unpleasant odors.
- Lead to clogs and poor drainage.
- Make your dishwasher less efficient.
- Leave residue on dishes and glassware.
- Shorten the lifespan of your machine.
A simple monthly cleaning routine helps you avoid costly repairs, saves energy, and keeps your dishes truly clean.
How to Clean Your Dishwasher Naturally: What You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather these common household ingredients and tools:
- White vinegar — a natural disinfectant that breaks down mineral deposits and soap scum.
- Baking soda — deodorizes and gently scrubs away residue.
- Toothbrush or small cleaning brush — for scrubbing seals, filters, and tight spots.
- Microfiber cloth — to wipe down edges and door seals.
- Dish soap (optional) — mild and free of harsh chemicals.
How to Clean Your Dishwasher Naturally — Step by Step
Follow these easy steps for a naturally clean dishwasher using vinegar and baking soda.
Step 1 — Empty the Dishwasher
First things first: make sure your dishwasher is empty. Remove any racks or utensil holders if they come out easily — you’ll clean them separately.
Step 2 — Clear Out Food Debris
Check the bottom of the dishwasher for any leftover bits of food, paper, or debris. Use a paper towel or damp cloth to remove any scraps that could clog the drain.
Step 3 — Clean the Filter
Your dishwasher filter is a small but crucial part of your machine. It traps leftover food particles to stop them from clogging the drain and circulating back onto your clean dishes. If left uncleaned, the filter can become smelly and greasy, and your dishwasher’s performance will suffer, causing unpleasant odor from your dishwasher.
How to Clean the Filter:
Locate the Filter: Most filters are found on the floor of the dishwasher, under the lower spray arm. Check your manual if you’re unsure where yours is.
Remove the Filter: Twist or lift it out carefully, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Rinse Thoroughly: Hold the filter under warm running water to loosen grease and food particles.
Scrub Gently: Use a soft brush, like an old toothbrush, to remove any stubborn residue. Be gentle — you don’t want to damage the mesh.
Replace Securely: Once it’s clean, reinsert the filter properly to ensure your dishwasher runs smoothly.
Cleaning the filter once a month will keep your dishwasher odor-free and help your dishes come out spotless every time.
Step 4 — Wipe Down Seals and Door Edges
Grime loves to hide in rubber door seals and the edges around your dishwasher door. Dip a cloth in warm soapy water (or just vinegar) and wipe around the door, hinges, and gasket. Use your brush for any mold or mildew spots in the folds.
Step 5 — Run a Vinegar Wash
Vinegar is the hero ingredient for a natural deep clean. It breaks down grease and limescale without harsh chemicals.
How to Do It:
- Place a dishwasher-safe bowl or cup filled with white vinegar on the top rack.
- Run a hot water cycle with no detergent or dishes.
- The vinegar will circulate through the machine, dissolving grime and deodorizing as it goes.
Step 6 — Follow with a Baking Soda Rinse
For extra freshness, baking soda works wonders to neutralize odors and remove lingering stains.
How to Do It:
- Once the vinegar cycle finishes, sprinkle about 1 cup of baking soda across the bottom of the empty dishwasher.
- Run a short hot water cycle.
- The baking soda will gently scrub and brighten the interior.
Step 7 — Wipe the Exterior
Don’t forget the outside! Use a damp microfiber cloth and mild soapy water (or vinegar solution) to wipe the door, buttons, and handle. Dry with a clean cloth for a streak-free shine.
Extra Tips to Keep Your Dishwasher Fresh
A good deep clean once a month makes a big difference, but daily habits are what truly keep your dishwasher fresh and running well for years to come. Here are a few easy tips to follow:
Rinse Lightly: Always scrape large and even small food off plates before loading them. A quick rinse helps prevent clogs and buildup in the filter and drain.
Run Hot Water First: Before you start a cycle, run the hot water tap in your sink until it’s hot. This ensures your dishwasher begins its cycle with hot water, which helps break down grease and food residue more effectively.
Leave the Door Open: When the wash cycle is done, crack the door open slightly. This allows leftover moisture to escape, helping prevent mold, mildew, and musty odors inside your machine.
Stick to a Monthly Routine: A quick vinegar and baking soda clean once a month keeps grease, odors, and limescale at bay. This simple habit will help your dishwasher perform at its best and keep your dishes spotless.
By combining regular deep cleaning with these small daily habits, you’ll enjoy a sparkling clean dishwasher and gleaming dishes every time.
How to Remove Hard Water Deposits in Your Dishwasher
If you live in an area with hard water, you may notice white spots on your glassware, cloudy residue on dishes, or a chalky build-up inside your dishwasher. These are signs of mineral deposits also known as limescale that left behind by hard water. Over time, this build-up can clog spray arms, reduce cleaning efficiency, and even shorten your dishwasher’s lifespan if not dealt with regularly.
Luckily, you don’t need special chemicals to tackle hard water deposits. Vinegar and baking soda are two simple, natural ingredients that break down mineral build-up safely and effectively.
How Vinegar Helps
White vinegar is mildly acidic, which makes it perfect for dissolving limescale. Running a hot cycle with vinegar helps loosen and flush away mineral deposits from the walls, filter, and spray arms of your dishwasher.
How to Use It:
- Place a dishwasher-safe bowl or mug filled with 1–2 cups of white vinegar on the top rack of your empty dishwasher.
- Run a hot water cycle with no detergent.
- Repeat monthly if you have hard water.
Add Baking Soda for Extra Freshness
After the vinegar cycle, sprinkle about a cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher and run a short hot wash. This extra step neutralizes any lingering smells and gently polishes away any remaining residue, leaving your dishwasher fresh and clean.
Preventing Hard Water Build-Up
Here are a few extra tips to prevent limescale in the future:
Use Rinse Aid: A rinse aid helps prevent spots on glassware and dishes by encouraging water to sheet off surfaces.
Run Hot Water First: Starting with hot water helps dissolve soap and minerals more effectively.
Deep Clean Monthly: Make vinegar and baking soda clean part of your monthly routine to stop build-up before it starts.
By handling hard water deposits naturally and consistently, you’ll protect
How to Clean Dishwasher: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Cleaning your dishwasher naturally is simple, but it’s just as important to avoid certain mistakes that could do more harm than good. Keep these points in mind:
Never mix bleach and vinegar: Combining these two creates dangerous, toxic fumes that are unsafe to breathe.
Skip harsh chemicals: Strong commercial cleaners can damage your dishwasher’s rubber seals, hoses, and internal parts over time. Stick to gentle, natural ingredients.
Don’t scrub too hard: Scrubbing delicate parts like the filter or door seals too roughly can tear or wear them out. Use a soft brush and gentle pressure.
Don’t ignore the filter: A dirty filter is one of the main reasons dishes come out still dirty. Always check and clean it regularly.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll help extend the life of your dishwasher and keep it running at its best naturally and safely.
Benefits of Natural Cleaning Products
Why choose natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda to clean your dishwasher? There are plenty of good reasons:
Safe for Your Family and the Environment: Natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda are non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about harsh fumes or chemical residues that could come into contact with your dishes or the air you breathe.
Gentle on Your Dishwasher: These mild ingredients clean effectively without damaging delicate parts like rubber seals, hoses, or spray arms, helping your machine last longer.
Affordable and Easy to Find: Vinegar and baking soda are pantry staples in most homes — inexpensive, accessible, and far cheaper than many commercial cleaners.
No Harsh Residues: Unlike some store-bought dishwasher cleaners, natural ingredients rinse away completely, leaving nothing behind but fresh, clean surfaces.
Choosing simple, natural cleaning methods means you can keep your kitchen fresh, safe, and sparkling — without relying on harsh chemicals.
When to Call in the Professionals
Regular DIY remedies, and maintenance goes a long way — but sometimes you need a deeper clean. If your dishwasher has persistent mold, stubborn clogs, or won’t drain properly, hiring a professional cleaning service can help.
Professionals can tackle tough grime, check hidden parts, and leave your kitchen appliances spotless and working their best.
Conclusion
Your dishwasher works hard every day, give it a little care in return! With simple, natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda, you can clean and freshen your dishwasher safely, protect your family from hidden germs, and enjoy spotless dishes every time.
Follow the above simple steps, and your sparkling clean dishwasher will thank you. And when you need a deeper clean, trust professional cleaning services like Mesh Maids to help you keep your kitchen and home truly spotless.
Whether you’re living in Abbotsford, White Rock, Vancouver, or elsewhere in Canada. Remember to book a cleaning with Mesh Maids, if you ever feel overwhelmed!
FAQ — How to Clean Your Dishwasher Naturally
Here are some common questions homeowners ask about natural dishwasher cleaning:
Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar?
White vinegar is best because it’s clear and leaves no residue. Apple cider vinegar can work in a pinch but may leave a slight scent.
How often should I clean my dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda?
A full clean every month is ideal. If you notice odors or cloudy dishes, do it sooner.
Is vinegar safe for my dishwasher’s rubber seals?
Yes! Used occasionally, white vinegar is safe for seals and hoses. Avoid soaking seals directly in vinegar for long periods.
Can I put baking soda and vinegar together?
It’s better to use them one after the other. The chemical reaction if mixed together cancels out their cleaning power.
What’s the easiest way to keep my dishwasher fresh daily?
Scrape food off dishes before loading, run hot water first, and leave the door ajar after each cycle to let moisture escape.
