How to clean a dishwasher

step
1

Wipe down the sides and controls

Use a soft cloth (microfiber is good) to periodically wipe the edges of the door and panel. Stay away from harsh cleaning chemicals and abrasives as you don’t want to damage your dishwasher’s controls or LCD screens. It is best to do this every day when the dishwasher has finished a cleaning cycle.

Make sure you remove any food debris you can see: look around the underside of the door where it can collect.

step
2

Use limescale remover for stubborn stains

If you have a dishwasher that is suffering from limescale build-up around the door, you can use a limescale spray to remove it. Follow the directions on the bottle for how long to leave the spray on, and wipe clean at the end. Repeat the process to remove stubborn deposits. The more often you follow step one, the less often you need to do this step.

step
3

Clean the filter

Dishwashers all have a filter at the bottom that catches dirt and prevents the drain hose from clogging. Weekly you should remove the filter, empty out all dirt particles and wash the filter under running water. You can find out how to remove it from your dishwasher’s operating instructions.

step
4

Use a dishwasher cleaner

Dishwasher cleaner helps to thoroughly clean the inside of your dishwasher. The bottle used here requires removing the cap and then placing the bottle in a cutlery rack or standing upright if you have a shelf. You can get cleaners in tablet form instead. Make sure you follow the directions carefully: dishwashing detergent should be used with an empty machine and at a higher heat than normal. You should do this work monthly.

step
5

Make sure you use salt and rinse aid

Keep the inside of your dishwasher in top condition by using salt and rinse aid, both set to the right level. For more information on how to do this, see the instructions for using a dishwasher.