How to Clean Your Dishwasher: A Step-by-Step Deep Clean

July 17, 2026
by Brodie Cook

unloading dishwasher to prepare to clean the dishwasher

Gritty dishes. A musty smell every time you open the door. White film clinging to your glasses no matter how many times you run a cycle. If your dishwasher isn't performing the way it used to, the cause is almost always the same: buildup hiding in places a normal wash cycle can't reach, like the filter, spray arms, door seals, and drain.

The good news is that fixing it doesn't require replacing the machine or calling a repair technician. It just requires cleaning it properly, in the right order. Here's how to give your dishwasher a full deep clean, step by step.

First, match the cleaning method to the mess

A quick look inside can tell you where to begin.

What you notice	Likely place to check	First action
Food bits, gritty dishes or poor water flow	Filter and spray arms	Remove debris and clean the removable parts
Greasy film or a stale odour	Filter, door seal and detergent dispenser	Wipe by hand, then run a machine-cleaning cycle
Chalky white marks inside of your dishwasher	Hard-water minerals or detergent residue	Clean the filter, then use a model-approved descaling method
Water covering the bottom after a cycle	Filter, drain area or drainage system	Clear only visible debris and troubleshoot the drainage issue
Leaks, error codes or unusual noises	A fault rather than normal build-up	Stop using the machine and check the manual or arrange service

Is the main problem a pale film on glasses or the tub? First work out why your dishwasher is leaving white residue. Mineral scale, excess detergent and permanent glass etching do not need the same fix.

What you will need

Gather a few simple tools before you start:

Rubber gloves
A soft cloth or non-scratch sponge
A soft toothbrush or small cleaning brush
Warm water
A torch for checking the drain area
A dishwasher cleaner, or white vinegar only if your manual allows it

Wash the removable filter at the sink using warm water. For greasy residue, dissolve a dishwashing detergent sheet in a bowl or sink of warm water, then soak and gently scrub the filter with a soft brush. Rinse it thoroughly before placing it back in the dishwasher.

Do not add hand dishwashing liquid to the dishwasher itself. It can create excess suds, which may lead to leaking or poor wash results, according to Whirlpool's dishwasher guidance.

Before you begin: Check your dishwasher manual. Filter locks, spray arms and cleaning programs vary between models. Switch the machine off before reaching into the base. Let hot parts cool. Take care because broken glass may be hiding near the filter.

How to deep clean your dishwasher in 7 steps

1. Empty the dishwasher and inspect the tub

Remove the dishes, cutlery basket and bottom rack. Look for food scraps, paper labels, broken glass or other debris on the bottom of the dishwasher.

Pick up loose items carefully. Do not remove screws, covers or fixed parts unless your manual tells you to do so.

2. Remove and clean the filter

The filter is usually under the lower spray arm. Its design differs by model. Take a photo before removing it if you are unsure how the pieces fit together.

Follow the manual to unlock the filter. Empty loose food into the bin. Then rinse the filter under warm running water. Use a soft brush for grease or deposits that do not rinse away. Avoid wire brushes and scouring pads because they can damage the filter.

Put the filter back and make sure it locks into place. A loose filter may allow food particles to circulate through the wash.

3. Check the spray arms

Spin each spray arm by hand to make sure it moves freely. Inspect the small jet holes for food particles or mineral build-up.

If your manual says the arms are removable, take them out and rinse them under warm water. Use a soft brush around the holes. Do not force an arm off. Do not push a sharp metal object into a jet. It may damage the part or push debris further inside.

4. Wipe the door, seals and dispenser

The main wash may not reach the edges of the dishwasher door or the folds around the seal. Wipe these areas with a damp cloth and warm water.

Pay attention to the bottom lip, corners, detergent dispenser and handle. Use a soft brush for narrow joins. Keep water and cleaning spray away from the door latch, controls and electrical areas.

5. Clear visible debris from the drain area

Use a torch to inspect the area beneath and around the filter. Remove only debris that is easy to reach. Wear gloves because small pieces of glass, bone or hard plastic may be hidden there.

A small amount of clean water in the filter well can be normal on some models. It helps keep seals from drying out. A pool of dirty water across the base is different. Does the machine still fail to drain after you clean the filter? Move to the steps in your manual instead of pouring in more cleaner. Whirlpool explains the difference between normal filter-well water and a drainage problem.

6. Run an empty cleaning cycle with a dishwasher cleaner tablet

Use Lucent Globe's dishwasher cleaner tablets after cleaning the filter. Place one tablet in the bottom of the empty dishwasher. Run a regular cycle, then allow the machine to air-dry. Follow the pack directions and your dishwasher manual.

7. Let the dishwasher dry

When the cycle finishes, check that no debris has moved back into the filter area. Wipe the door edges if needed. Then leave the door slightly open so the clean interior can air-dry. Only do this if it is safe in your household and allowed by the manual.

Reinstall the racks and baskets only after all removable parts are secure.

Dishwasher Cleaner Tablet explained in steps

Can you use vinegar and bicarb soda together?

Do not add vinegar and bicarb soda to the dishwasher at the same time. Whirlpool's manufacturer method uses a vinegar cycle first and a separate bicarb cycle afterwards. It specifically says never to add both at the same time.

Some manufacturers describe a vinegar cycle followed by a separate bicarb cycle. Use that method only if it is approved for your model.

How often should you clean your dishwasher?

There is no single schedule for every machine. Your routine will depend on three things. These are how often you use it, how much food reaches the filter, and whether your home has hard water.

Use this as a practical starting point:

Task	Starting schedule	Clean sooner when...
Check the base for food and labels	After heavily soiled loads	You can see debris
Clean the filter	About once a month for regular use	Dishes feel gritty, water flow drops or an odour appears
Wipe the door seal and dispenser	Monthly or as needed	You can see grease or food residue
Inspect spray-arm jets	Monthly	An arm does not spin or jets look blocked
Run a deep-cleaning cycle	Follow the appliance and cleaner directions	You notice film, scale or a stale smell after the manual clean

Bosch Australia also suggests removing and washing the filter monthly when a dishwasher is used regularly. However, cleaning-product intervals vary, which is why your model manual and the product label should decide the final schedule.

Five dishwasher-cleaning mistakes to avoid

Running a cleaner before emptying the filter. A cycle will not remove a bone, label or piece of glass trapped in the machine.
Putting hand dish soap in the dishwasher. It produces far more foam than automatic dishwasher detergent.
Mixing cleaners. Do not combine vinegar, tablets, bicarb soda or other products unless the label specifically instructs you to do so.
Forcing a filter or spray arm out. Some parts are fixed, and removal methods vary.
Treating every white mark as dirt. Hard-water scale, detergent film and etched glass require different responses.

When a deep clean is not enough

Cleaning can remove food, grease, detergent residue and some mineral build-up. It cannot repair parts. A failed pump, damaged seal, blocked hose or electrical fault needs a different fix.

Stop repeating cleaning cycles and check the manual or arrange professional service if:

Dirty water remains across the bottom after a cycle
The machine leaks
An error code returns
You hear grinding, rattling or other unusual noises
The spray arms do not turn after visible blockages are removed
A strong odour returns immediately after the filter, seals and drain area are cleaned
You find damaged wiring, racks, hoses or door seals

A clean dishwasher should have a clear filter, open spray jets, wiped seals and no loose debris in the base. Once those manual jobs are done, the right empty cycle can deal with the film and build-up you cannot easily reach.