Easy Ways to Clean Your Dishwasher with Vinegar (and When to Do It)

If you’re looking for a natural and easy way to clean out your dishwasher, vinegar is the perfect alternative to use. Vinegar breaks down hard water, food, and soap scum, so it will leave your dishwasher looking and smelling fresh. Keep reading, and we’ll cover how to use vinegar to clean different parts of your dishwasher and how often to clean. We also spoke to professional cleaners for advice on alternative cleaners to try out.

Best Way to Clean a Dishwasher with Vinegar

When your dishwasher is empty, add a cup or bowl with distilled white vinegar to the top rack. Run your dishwasher on the hottest water setting, and open it to let the machine air-dry when the cycle finishes. Clear out any debris from the drain and wipe out the interior with a clean cloth.

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Section 1 of 6:

How to Clean Your Dishwasher with Vinegar

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1
Place a container with white vinegar on the top rack. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of distilled white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe bowl or cup. Place the container upright on the top rack in your dishwasher for the most thorough cleaning. ^{[1]
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- Cleaning professional Chris Willatt mentions that vinegar is effective because it’s acidic and removes hard water build-up.
EXPERT TIP

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Our Expert Agrees: To clean your dishwasher, place a cup of distilled white vinegar in the bowl on the top rack of your dishwasher, and run the dishwasher. You can also use baking soda. These options are useful because it's best to use non-toxic cleaning supplies when you're cleaning anything that may touch your food.
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Run a hot-water cycle on your dishwasher. Press the high-temperature wash or the sanitation wash cycle on your dishwasher and let the cycle run. Throughout the cycle, the vinegar and water will move through the machine and clear out any debris and hard water stains. ^{[2]
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- If you notice really stubborn hard water stains on the bottom of your dishwasher, open the door halfway through the wash cycle. Let the vinegar sit for 20 minutes before closing the door and resuming the cycle. ^{[3]
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When the cycle finishes, crack open the dishwasher door to let in fresh air. Let the dishwasher dry out completely so you can check for any problem areas. ^{[4]
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Locate the drain at the bottom of your dishwasher and look for any large pieces of food or buildup that were dislodged during the cleaning cycle. Pick the debris out by hand or use a damp cloth to wipe the pieces out. ^{[5]
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Check inside of your dishwasher for any residual spots or marks that the vinegar didn’t reach. Dampen a cloth with vinegar or soapy water, and wipe down the interior of the machine. Once the spot disappears, then wipe it off with a clean cloth to dry the area. ^{[6]
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EXPERT TIP

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Try running another hot-water-only cycle to finish cleaning the machine. After you finish the cycle with vinegar, run another cycle with hot water. That will rinse away the vinegar so it doesn't corrode the plastic gaskets inside the dishwasher.

Section 2 of 6:

Cleaning Dishwasher Parts

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Soak the dishwasher filter in warm water and vinegar. The dishwasher filter is usually located at the bottom corner of the machine. To remove the filter, twist it and pull it straight out. To clean the filter , soak it for 20 minutes in a sink full of warm water, 1–2 cups (240–470 ml) of vinegar, and a squirt of dish soap. ^{[7]
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- When you’re finished, rinse the filter with clean water before reinstalling it in your dishwasher.
Start by heating 1 cup (240 ml) of vinegar in your microwave for 15-20 seconds. Then, stir in 2 tablespoons (34 g) of baking soda. Pour the solution into the bottom of your dishwasher and leave it for 10-15 minutes. To finish cleaning the drain , slowly pour a pot of boiling water in your dishwasher to clear out any debris. ^{[8]
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Unclog the spray arms with a toothpick. The spray arms spread water throughout the dishwasher, but sometimes they can get clogged with debris. Inspect the holes along the edges of the spray arm. If you notice debris stuck in them, pry it out with a toothpick or wire. ^{[9]
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- Many times, you can remove the spray arms to access them better. Check for a knob that you can turn by hand or a screw to loosen them.
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Scrub the door seals and gaskets with soapy water. Wet a clean cloth with warm water and a squirt of dish soap. Gently scrub the rubber seals around the edge of your dishwasher and door to remove any buildup or mildew on the surface. When you’re finished, wipe them with a dry cloth. ^{[10]
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- Avoid using vinegar to clean any rubber gaskets. The acidity in vinegar can cause the gaskets to dry out and crack, which could make your dishwasher leak.\
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Wipe the exterior with a damp soapy cloth. Close your dishwasher and gently clean the outside with your cloth. Try to remove any marks or fingerprints from the surface. Then, buff the exterior dry with a clean cloth. ^{[11]
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- If there are stubborn areas, wet a soft toothbrush and gently scrub your dishwasher.

Section 3 of 6:

How often can you use vinegar to clean your dishwasher?

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Clean your dishwasher with vinegar once a month. Cleaning at least once a month will help get rid of food and bacteria before it has a chance to build up. ^{[12]
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- Avoid using vinegar every time you run your dishwasher because it’s acidic and could damage plastic or rubber parts inside of your dishwasher.

Section 4 of 6:

Alternative Ways to Clean Your Dishwasher

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Sprinkle baking soda in your dishwasher to help remove odors. Cleaning professional Raymond Chiu recommends adding 1 cup (272 g) of baking soda at the bottom of your dishwasher and running a hot water cycle. If there are still stubborn spots, he recommends making a paste of baking soda and water, and gently scrubbing your dishwasher with circular motions.
- Try cleaning with baking soda after using vinegar for the most thorough cleaning and deodorizing.
Use a commercial dishwasher cleaner for the best results. Add the cleaner directly to the detergent compartment when your dishwasher is empty. Start a normal wash cycle so the cleaner moves through the machine and removes hard water spots and buildup on the surface. ^{[13]
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Try using bleach for the most stubborn marks and stains. Rather than using vinegar, fill a dishwasher-safe dish with 1 cup (240 ml) of bleach and set it on the top rack. Run the hottest cycle on your dishwasher and open the door when it’s finished to let the machine air-dry. ^{[14]
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- Chiu says to avoid using bleach if you’re cleaning a stainless steel dishwasher because it could cause damage instead of cleaning.

Section 5 of 6:

How to Maintain Your Dishwasher between Cleanings

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Scrape excess food off your dishes. Before you put any dishes in your dishwasher, clear your plate into the trash to get rid of large food particles. That way, they won’t get caught in the filter or drain when your dishwasher runs. ^{[15]
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- If you’re running your dishwasher right away, you don’t have to rinse your plate off. If you’re waiting to start your dishwasher, give a quick rinse to your dishes so food doesn’t harden to the surface.
Turn your kitchen faucet to the hottest setting and let it run until the water feels hot. That way, only hot water enters your dishwasher and more effectively removes food and debris from inside. ^{[16]
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Rather than closing your dishwasher, leave it cracked so moisture can evaporate. When your dishwasher is dry, it’s harder for mold to form so it will look and smell good in between cleanings. ^{[17]
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Section 6 of 6:

Dishwasher Cleaning FAQ

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Cleaning professional James Sears recommends distilled white vinegar for cleaning your dishwasher. If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your dishwasher and you want a stronger solution, then try cleaning vinegar with more acidity.
No, avoid using vinegar when your dishwasher is full of dishes. The acids in the vinegar could react with leftover salt on your dishes and cause discoloration on silverware and metal. ^{[18]
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Can you use dish soap in your dishwasher? Avoid using dish soap as a replacement for detergent. Sears mentions that “dish soap creates excessive suds…which will overflow from the machine and spill onto the floor.” Stick to using standard dishwasher detergent whenever you ruin the machine. ^{[19]
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- It’s okay to use dish soap to spot clean in your dishwasher. Just be sure to wipe any suds away with a damp cloth before you run the next cycle.

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Is this method safe if my dishwasher is stainless steel inside?

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Yes, vinegar and baking soda are both safe on stainless steel.

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How does the dish of vinegar (on the top shelf) get mixed with the baking soda (on the bottom?)

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When you run the dishwasher, the water jets will mix the two ingredients. It's the same as when you add the soap, it gets dissolved and sprayed through the jets from the water basin at the bottom of the washer.

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Just to confirm, I should do one load with vinegar, then one load with baking soda, and not one load with vinegar and baking soda together?

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No, both at the same time: baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher, glass of vinegar on the top rack. Mid-cycle, stop the dishwasher, open the door, wait 20 minutes and restart your machine, just like if you had forgotten to put something in it.

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Easy Ways to Clean Your Dishwasher with Vinegar (and When to Do It)

Best Way to Clean a Dishwasher with Vinegar

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How to Clean Your Dishwasher with Vinegar

Cleaning Dishwasher Parts

How often can you use vinegar to clean your dishwasher?

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How to Maintain Your Dishwasher between Cleanings

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