How To Deep Clean a Dishwasher (Step by Step)

In this post, I will show you how to deep clean a dishwasher step-by-step (disgusting photos and all).  

But first, I will tell you how I got into this moldy, mildewy, stinky mess in the first place so you can avoid my mistakes.

Storytime!

We all know that damp, dark, and warm is the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.  That is exactly the condition I created when I neglected to lock the buttons on my dishwasher.

In my haste to finish up my evening cleanup, I started the dishwasher but forgot to lock the buttons afterward.

The next morning a cute little 3-year-old was floating through the kitchen just looking for something to get into and started the dishwasher again.

All of the clean, dry, dishes from the night before were now soaked.  I didn’t have time to deal with them at that moment, so I left them for later.  

That in and of itself was not a big deal.

My misstep was forgetting the wet dishes were in the dishwasher and going away for the weekend.  When we returned, I had a mildewed mess on my hands.

The dishwasher also had a musty, foul odor.  I knew then, that a serious deep cleaning was needed.

Before Photos

Here’s a look at what my dishwasher looked like before the deep cleaning.  Not only do a have mold and mildew growing on the walls and along the rubber door seal, but I also have a build-up of grease and hard water deposits to tackle.

How To Deep Clean a Dishwasher

In order to deep clean a dishwasher you’ll want to take a 3 wave approach.  

First, clean the surfaces.  Second, disinfect the surfaces.  And finally, run a complete hot cycle to remove any residual cleaning product.

Products Used

• Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray
• RMR-141 Ready To Use Spray Disinfectant Cleaner and Fungicide
• RMR-86 Instant Mold & Mildew Stain Remover
• Microfiber Cloth
• Rubber Gloves
• Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner

IMPORTANT NOTE: When Vinegar Isn’t Enough

While almost every “how to deep clean a dishwasher” guide touts vinegar as the recommended cleaner, I chose a stronger disinfectant for my particular situation.

Vinegar is known to have mild disinfectant properties and can be effective in killing some types of bacteria and viruses. It can also help to remove mildew and mold from surfaces.

However, whether vinegar can completely disinfect mildew depends on the severity of the infestation and the surface it’s on.

Mildew can be deeply embedded in porous surfaces such as wood or fabric, and in such cases, vinegar may not be sufficient to completely disinfect the area.

Additionally, vinegar is not effective against all types of microorganisms, such as some types of harmful bacteria and viruses.

In cases where the mildew is present in an area where there is a high risk of infection, it’s recommended to use a stronger disinfectant recommended by health authorities.

In summary, vinegar can be effective in disinfecting mildew in certain situations, but it may not be sufficient in all cases.

Parts To Clean and Disinfect

• Inside walls and door
• Sprayer arms
• Racks and baskets
• Filter
• Dispenser
• Door vent

Step-by-Step Instructions For How To Deep Clean a Dishwasher

Let’s get started.

STEP 1: Fill your sink or large bucket with hot soapy water.

Start off by filling your sink or basin with hot soapy water.  You’ll want to let some of your components soak while you clean other parts of the dishwasher.

STEP 2: Remove all large components including racks, baskets, and sprayers.

It will be hard to clean the walls of the dishwasher with the racks and sprayers in the way.  

First, remove the bottom rack.  You should be able to pick this right up and pull it out of the dishwasher.  

Your top rack will likely be on a rail.  Remove the end caps of the rails first in order to slide your rack out.

Pull down or up gently on your sprayer arms (depending on their location) to release.  But, don’t force it!  

If you have trouble removing look up instructions for how to remove them for your specific machine.  

The Appliance Parts Pro YouTube Channel is a phenomenal resource.  You’ll find quick, simple, videos for removing almost any part of a dishwasher based on the model on their channel and/or website.

STEP 3: Remove the filter and spray/rinse/wipe any build-up.  

If you’ve never cleaned your dishwasher filter, like me, brace yourself. It may not be a pleasant sight.

First, locate your filter at the bottom of your dishwasher. Give it a slight twist to unlock and it will pull right out.

Start by thoroughly rinsing or wiping down the filter with a paper towel to remove any heavy build-up or food particles.

Then, soak the filter in the hot soapy water prepared in step 1. 

Place the sprayers in as well and let them soak while you begin cleaning the interior of the dishwasher.

STEP 4: Clean debris and remove standing water from the filter area.

If you find standing water where the filter was removed, use a paper towel or cloth to soak up this water.  

This is likely the source of smells coming from your dishwasher.  

Dislodge and remove any debris or old food particles you can reach.

STEP 5: Wipe down the walls and the inside of the door with soapy water.

Open the detergent dispenser and door vent cover.  Then use soapy water to begin cleaning all walls and the inside of the door.  

To do this I used the Dawn Powerwash Dish Detergent.  I let the spray dwell for a minute, then began scrubbing down the walls with a wet microfiber cloth.

Don’t forget to wipe out the inside of the door vent and the soap dispenser and rinse agent trays.

STEP 6: Apply mildew and mold remover.

If you have black mildew or mold stains along the inside of your dishwasher walls or rubber seals, spray them liberally with the RMR-86 Instant Mold & Mildew Remover.

You will see this product working immediately.  It will take no more than a minute or two for the stains to completely disappear.

IMPORTANT! Do not use bleach on stainless steel. Do not mix products such as the RMR-86 Instant Mold & Mildew Remover with bleach, ammonia, or other cleaning products. Read package directions carefully.

STEP 7: Clean the filter and sprayer arms.

Return to your soaking filter and scrub clean with a microfiber cloth or cleaning toothbrush if needed.  Do the same for the sprayer arms.

Spray both with RMR-86 Instant Mold & Mildew Remover on any visible stains.  Then, replace the filter and re-attach the sprayer arms inside the dishwasher.

STEP 9: Clean racks and baskets.

Wipe down racks and utensil baskets with soapy water and place them back in the dishwasher. 

Don’t forget to reattach the end caps to the rails in order to secure your upper dish rack.

STEP 10: Apply Disinfectant Cleaner & Fungicide

Spray the entire interior with RMR-141 Ready To Use Spray Disinfectant Cleaner & Fungicide. 

Leave the dishwasher open and let it dry for 10 minutes.

STEP 11: Run a hot cycle with Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner.

The last step in how to deep clean a dishwasher is to run a complete cycle with a dishwasher cleaner.

Add the Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner pod to your soap dispenser and run your dishwasher on the hottest cycle.

For me, my hottest cycle is the sanitize option.

DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. Running a full cycle will ensure that all cleaning products have been thoroughly rinsed from the machine.

Note: There are other dishwasher cleaner brands available such as Lemi Shine,  Cascade, and Glisten.  However, I find that Affresh works best, so that’s what I used.

After Photos

Here’s a look at my final results.  There is no sign of mold or mildew.  No standing water at the base of my machine, and everything is sparkly and fresh.

Regular Maintenance

To maintain a clean, fresh dishwashing system clean both your garbage disposal and dishwasher regularly.

Clean With Dishwasher Cleaner

Remove and clean your filter every month at least and run a hot cycle with the Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner to maintain your machine.

Clean With Vinegar and Baking Soda

Alternatively, you can also clean your dishwasher by sprinkling a cup of baking soda at the base of the machine and placing a cup of vinegar on the top rack.  Then run a complete hot cycle.

Conclusion

So there we have it. How to deep clean a dishwasher and how to maintain your dishwashing system through regular maintenance.

I hope you found this guide on how to deep clean a dishwasher helpful.  If you did, please share it with a friend and follow Dianne Decor on Pinterest and Instagram.

Here are a few more posts you may enjoy.

• Does The Pink Stuff Really Work?
• How To Make Your Home Smell Good Naturally
• What Does Spring Cleaning Mean?

Don’t forget to join the mailing list before you go.  I’ll send you a copy of my weekly newsletter filled with weekend reads, decorating inspiration, and the latest deals on home decor.