A dishwasher that smells musty or leaves glasses cloudy is usually not broken — it is just dirty. This guide explains How to Clean a Dishwasher step by step, from the filter and spray arms to a full deep-clean cycle with vinegar and baking soda, so your machine washes properly and lasts longer.
Most dishwasher cleaning problems come from one thing: food residue and mineral deposits building up where you cannot see them. A regular cleaning routine takes about 15 minutes of actual work, and once you know the steps, you can keep the machine running well without calling a technician.
Quick Answer
To clean a dishwasher: (1) remove and wash the filter in hot soapy water; (2) wipe the door seal and edges with a damp cloth; (3) clear the spray-arm holes of any blockages; (4) run an empty cycle with a bowl of white vinegar on the top rack; (5) sprinkle baking soda on the bottom and run a short hot cycle. Do this monthly, and clean the filter every week or two.
Signs Your Dishwasher Needs Cleaning
Your dishwasher is asking for attention when you notice any of these:
- A sour or musty smell when you open the door after a cycle
- White film, cloudy spots, or chalky residue on glasses and cutlery
- Food particles left stuck on “clean” dishes
- Water pooling at the bottom of the tub after the cycle finishes
- The machine draining slowly or making unusual grinding noises
If the machine also seems less effective at drying, that is another common clue. A clean interior helps every cycle perform closer to how the appliance was designed, and it is worth doing alongside cleaning your other kitchen appliances as part of a regular kitchen routine.
What You Will Need
You probably own everything already. Dishwasher cleaning does not require special branded products, though dedicated dishwasher cleaners sold at UAE supermarkets work too.
| Item | What It Does |
|---|---|
| White vinegar (about 1 cup) | Dissolves mineral deposits and grease in the wash cycle |
| Baking soda (about 1 cup) | Deodorizes and loosens light residue |
| Old toothbrush or small brush | Scrubs the filter, seal, and spray-arm holes |
| Microfibre cloth | Wipes the door gasket, edges, and racks |
| Rubber gloves | Protects your hands from hot water and sharp filter edges |
How to Clean a Dishwasher with Vinegar and Baking Soda
This is the standard deep-clean method used by most manufacturers and appliance care guides. Follow it in order — the vinegar cycle first, the baking soda cycle second — and skip any step that does not apply to your machine.
Step 1: Empty the dishwasher and remove the racks
Pull out the bottom rack and, if your model allows it, the top rack too. This gives you clear access to the filter, the spray arms, and the bottom of the tub where food collects.
Step 2: Clean the filter
Twist or lift out the filter assembly from the bottom of the tub — the exact method is in your user manual. Rinse it under hot running water and scrub gently with the toothbrush and a drop of dish soap. Do not use steel wool or anything abrasive; it can damage the mesh. Most filters have two parts (an upper and lower basket) — clean both. This single step fixes more drainage complaints than anything else.
Step 3: Clear the spray arms
Spin the lower and upper spray arms by hand. If they do not spin freely, or you can see food stuck in the spray holes, poke the blockages out with a toothpick or the tip of a brush. On many models the spray arms lift straight off for a proper rinse under the tap.
Step 4: Wipe the door seal and tub edges
Dip a cloth in hot soapy water and wipe the rubber gasket around the door, paying attention to the folds where grime hides. Wipe the inside edge of the door and the corners of the tub too. The detergent jet does not reach the seal, so this area never gets cleaned by normal cycles.
Step 5: Run the vinegar cycle
Place a dishwasher-safe bowl or mug filled with white vinegar upright on the top rack. Run the dishwasher empty on the hottest cycle your machine offers. The vinegar dissolves limescale and greasy buildup through the whole interior.
Step 6: Run the baking soda cycle
Sprinkle a cup of baking soda across the bottom of the empty tub, then run a short hot cycle. This neutralises lingering odours and leaves the interior smelling fresh. Your dishwasher is now deep-cleaned.
How Often Should You Clean Each Part?
Not every part needs the same attention. This schedule keeps the workload light:
| Part | How Often |
|---|---|
| Filter | Every 1–2 weeks (more often if you skip pre-rinsing) |
| Spray arms | Monthly |
| Door seal | Monthly |
| Vinegar + baking soda deep clean | Monthly |
| Exterior (handles, control panel) | Weekly, with a damp cloth |
Cleaning the filter regularly is the highest-impact habit. A filter coated in grease and food forces the machine to work harder and circulates dirty water back over your dishes. If you run the machine daily, check the filter every weekend — it takes under a minute. This is also a good time to keep the surrounding kitchen clean so debris does not get tracked back into the machine area.
Common Dishwasher Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
- Using bleach on a stainless-steel interior: bleach can stain or damage stainless steel. Stick with vinegar and baking soda, or a cleaner made for dishwashers.
- Blocking the spray arms with the vinegar bowl: place the bowl on the top rack, not the bottom, so the lower spray arm can still rotate during the cycle.
- Running the vinegar and baking soda together: they neutralise each other, so run them as two separate cycles for the full effect.
- Ignoring the filter because the machine “looks fine”: the filter is usually the dirtiest part of the whole machine and the first place problems start.
- Using too much detergent going forward: excess detergent leaves residue that builds up over time. Check your manual for the correct amount for your water hardness.
Dishwasher Care Tips for UAE Homes
Much of the UAE has hard tap water, which means mineral deposits build up faster inside dishwashers here than in many other countries. Rinse aid becomes genuinely useful, not optional — it reduces water spots and helps dishes dry. If your machine has a water-hardness setting or a salt reservoir (common on European models), check the manual and adjust it to your local water rather than leaving it on the factory default.
Humidity also matters. In the warmer months, mould can grow around a damp door seal if the door stays shut for days. If you run the machine less often, leave the door slightly ajar between cycles to let it air out. And if your glasses are coming out with a permanent rainbow-coloured haze, that is etching from hard water — not dirt — and no amount of cleaning will fix it. It means it is time to adjust the water softener or rinse aid.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use vinegar in my dishwasher safely?
Yes, for an occasional cleaning cycle in most machines. Place the vinegar in a bowl on the top rack rather than pouring it on the bottom, and do not use it every wash — frequent acid exposure can wear down rubber seals over the years. Monthly use is fine.
Do I need to buy a special dishwasher cleaner?
Not necessarily. The vinegar-and-baking-soda method handles grease, odour, and limescale well. Commercial dishwasher cleaners, available at major UAE retailers such as Carrefour UAE, can be more convenient and some include stronger descaling agents for heavy hard-water buildup.
Why does my dishwasher smell even after cleaning?
The smell usually comes from the filter or the door seal — recheck both, including the folds of the gasket. If the odour persists, there may be a drainage issue, such as a kinked hose or standing water in the tub, which needs a technician. For a general overview of how dishwashers work and their components, see the Dishwasher article on Wikipedia.
Should I pre-rinse dishes before loading?
Scrape off food scraps, but skip heavy pre-rinsing. Modern detergents need a little grease and food to work against — a fully rinsed load can actually come out less clean. What matters is that large chunks do not end up in the filter.
How long should a dishwasher last with proper maintenance?
Most dishwashers last around 10 years, and regular cleaning is one of the simplest ways to reach the upper end of that range. Neglecting the filter and spray arms is the fastest way to shorten it.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to clean a dishwasher is a small effort with a clear payoff: cleaner dishes, no bad smells, and a machine that lasts its full lifespan. Clean the filter every couple of weeks, wipe the seal monthly, and run the vinegar-and-baking-soda deep clean once a month. Do that, and your dishwasher will take care of the rest. For the machines around it, the same habits apply — see our guides on cleaning a microwave and cleaning an oven to complete the set.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.