How to clean your dishwasher interior

When it comes to cleaning appliances, it’s easy to overlook the dishwasher. You may wipe down the outside, what about deep cleaning the inside? Good news! Cleaning your dishwasher is straightforward, and can help keep your appliance looking and functioning its best.

1. Check for and remove any food scraps or debris in the dishwasher bottom.

Wipe the bottom clean with a cloth. If any jets in the spray arms are blocked, carefully use a paper clip or tweezer to remove the debris.

2. Clean the filter if it is removable.

Check your owner’s manual to determine if your model has a removable filter. If so, follow these instructions to clean the filter.

3. Deep clean the interior and remove mineral buildup.

GE Appliance Parts offers Finish dishwasher cleaner to help prevent and remove scale and buildup caused by the minerals in hard water.

For a quick, Do-It-Yourself dishwasher interior cleaner, we recommend a vinegar rinse. Check out our vinegar rinse walkthrough for details.

Many GE Dishwashers have Sanitize Cycles that meet National Sanitize Foundation (NSF) Residential standards. Check your use and care manual to see if your dishwasher has a sanitize cycle and how to use it. By running this cycle, you can reduce 99% of bacteria on dishes.

ADDITIONAL CLEANING TIPS

Here are a few additional tips for maintaining a clean dishwasher interior:


• Avoid using abrasive scouring pads or harsh cleaners inside your dishwasher, as they can mar the finish. For help with other interior stains or spots, refer to our support list of dishwasher cleaning solutions.

• Scrape your dishes—but don’t rinse—before loading to remove significant food particles. Rinsing your dishes before may cause the dishwasher sensor to think your load is cleaner than it is and result in a less than optimized wash cycle.

Check the temp of your incoming water with a candy or meat thermometer. If it isn't at least 120 degrees, the detergent may not completely dissolve. You may be able to boost the water temperature for the cycle by running hot water before at the sink before starting the dishwasher.

Load your dishwasher properly so no large bowls or pans are blocking the cup from opening during the wash cycle.

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