Clean your dishwasher once a month: rinse the filter, wipe the door edges and seal, and run an empty cleaning cycle. Whirlpool says dishwashers should be cleaned approximately every 30 days. If you run yours every day for a big household, check the filter every two weeks instead.
It seems odd that a machine full of hot water and detergent needs cleaning. But everything you scrape off the plates has to go somewhere, and most of it ends up in the filter at the bottom of the tub. When that clogs, dirty water recirculates over your "clean" dishes. That's where the gritty glasses and the swampy smell come from.
Dishwasher cleaning schedule#
| Part |
How often |
What to do |
| Manual filter |
Monthly; every 2 weeks with daily use |
Twist out, rinse, brush gently |
| Empty cleaning cycle |
Monthly |
Dishwasher cleaner on the hottest cycle |
| Door edges and gasket |
Monthly |
Wipe with a soapy cloth |
| Spray arms |
When dishes come out dirty |
Check the holes for blockages |
| Front and control panel |
Weekly |
Damp cloth, cleaner on the cloth |
Not every brand agrees on the filter. Bosch, for example, recommends cleaning its filters every few months. And some dishwashers have a self-cleaning filter that never needs removing. Your manual settles it. The model number is usually printed on a sticker along the inside edge of the door.
Signs your dishwasher needs cleaning sooner#
- Glasses or plates feel gritty when you unload them.
- There's a sour or rotten smell when you open the door.
- Dishes come out with food still stuck on.
- There's a puddle of water in the bottom after a cycle finishes.
- You can see food scraps or a gray film around the filter.
Whirlpool's filter cleaning page lists dirty dishes, unpleasant odors, and a gritty feel as the main signs the filter needs attention. More detergent won't fix any of them.
How to clean a dishwasher filter#
- Pull out the bottom rack.
- Find the filter. It's usually a round cylinder in the floor of the tub, sometimes sitting in a flat mesh screen.
- Twist the cylinder a quarter turn counterclockwise and lift it out. If there's a flat screen underneath, lift that out too.
- Rinse both under warm running water. For greasy buildup or hard-water deposits, use a soft brush (an old toothbrush works) and a bit of dish soap.
- Look into the hole the filter sat in. Pick out anything you can see, like broken glass, a cherry pit, or a bread tie, with your fingers or tongs. Be careful with glass.
- Put the filter back and turn it until it locks.
Whirlpool warns against wire brushes and scouring pads, which can damage the mesh, and against running the dishwasher without the filter properly installed, which can damage the machine.
If yours has no removable cylinder and the manual calls it maintenance-free, there's often a small cup or trap to empty instead. Whirlpool calls this the foreign object cup on some models.
How to deep clean the rest of the dishwasher#
- Wipe the door edges and the rubber gasket with a soapy cloth. Pay attention to the bottom edge of the door, below the tub lip. It sits outside the spray, so drips and food collect there.
- Spin each spray arm by hand. If one sticks or its holes look blocked, clear them with a toothpick. Only take the arms off if your manual describes how.
- Run an empty cycle on the hottest setting with a dishwasher cleaner, dosed as the label says. Whirlpool recommends doing this monthly to prevent filming, spots, and odors.
- Wipe the outside. Put spray cleaner on the cloth, not the control panel.
Never use hand dish soap in a dishwasher, even to clean it. It foams far more than dishwasher detergent and can push suds out through the door. And don't mix cleaning products in the tub; use one cleaner per cycle.
Habits that keep it cleaner#
Scrape plates into the bin before loading. Bones, jar labels, toothpicks, and big clumps of rice are the usual filter cloggers. Load tall items where they won't block the spray arms from turning. After the last cycle of the day, leave the door slightly open for an hour so the inside dries out.
If your dishwasher drains through the same pipe as a garbage disposal, run the disposal before you start the dishwasher so the shared drain is clear. If the disposal is clogged, the dishwasher can't drain properly either. Our garbage disposal guide covers cleaning that side.
When cleaning won't fix it#
Standing water that stays after you've cleaned the filter points to a drain problem: the disposal, a kinked drain hose, or a slow kitchen sink drain. Leaks onto the floor, repeating error codes, or a burning smell need a technician. Turn the dishwasher off at the breaker if it's leaking or smells hot, and don't run it again until it's checked.
FAQ#
Do I need to clean the dishwasher if I use cleaner tablets?#
Yes. A cleaning tablet dissolves grease and mineral film in the tub, but it doesn't remove the food sitting in the filter. Do both on the same day each month.
Why does my dishwasher smell even after cleaning?#
Look at the filter, the bottom of the door, and the drain area again. If they're clean, the smell may be coming back up the drain line from the sink or disposal. Clean those, and check under the sink that the dishwasher's drain hose isn't kinked or sagging.
A monthly job is the easiest kind to forget. Put it on the same day you clean the fridge shelves, or set a recurring reminder in ChoreLists.com.