Making sure your dishwasher is as clean as the dishes it washes might not always be at the top of your mind. You're likely keeping the outside neat, but what about the inside where the real work happens? What can you do to prevent dishwasher smells? Or how can you fix a dishwasher that’s not cleaning well? Simply giving your dishwasher a thorough inside cleaning can help with these problems and is easier than you might think. Remember: Having a clean dishwasher is key to ensuring it continues to look great and work efficiently.
First, check the bottom of your dishwasher for any food scraps or other bits. Take a quick wipe with a damp cloth to remove any debris. If you find the spray arm's jets are clogged, a gentle poke with a paper clip or tweezers can clear them out.
A clean filter is essential for an efficient dishwasher. Just a bit of care here makes all the difference. Check your owner’s manual to determine if your model has a removable filter. If it does, follow these instructions to clean it.
Hard water can leave deposits inside your dishwasher. While GE Appliance Parts offers products like Cascade dishwasher cleaner for this job. This product recommends you run and empty cycle with one dose-pack of cleaner per month to break through limescale, grease, and other buildup that can cause odors.
Cleaning your dishwasher with vinegar is another fairly easy way you can remove some of the buildup. Check out our DIY dishwasher cleaner and vinegar rinse walkthrough for details.