How to Clean a Dishwasher

You'll usually notice one of these first:

This is the single most useful thing you can do. The filter sits in the base of the machine, usually under the lower spray arm. Most twist and lift out. Rinse it under the hot tap and use a soft brush – an old toothbrush works – to clear trapped food and grease. Wipe out the area it sits in, then refit it firmly so it locks into place.

Manufacturers often suggest checking the filter every week or two. If you scrape plates well, monthly may be enough.

Spin each spray arm by hand – it should turn freely. Look at the small holes: if they're blocked with food or limescale, water can't reach your dishes properly. Many arms unclip for cleaning (check the manual). Clear the holes with a cocktail stick, rinse and refit.

The rubber seal around the door and the bottom edge of the door itself are out of reach of the spray, so they collect gunk. Wipe them with a cloth and warm soapy water. Don't forget the cutlery basket, which can trap bits of food in its corners.

With the machine empty, run a dishwasher cleaner through the hottest programme, following the product instructions. This removes grease and limescale from the parts you can't reach. Doing it every month or two keeps things fresh.

Much of England, particularly the south and east, has hard water. If your glasses come out with a white film, check the salt reservoir is topped up with dishwasher salt and that the water softener setting matches your local hardness. Your water company's website can tell you how hard your water is. Rinse aid also helps with spotting and drying.

A few small things stop the build-up coming back:

It's tempting to blame the machine, but the cause is usually simple. A blocked filter means dirty water recirculates over your dishes. Blocked spray arm holes leave parts of the racks barely washed. Overloading or nesting bowls together stops water reaching every surface.

Detergent matters too. Too little leaves food behind; too much leaves a film. Tablets that are old or have absorbed moisture may not dissolve fully. And if you always use the quick or eco programme, some machines struggle with heavily soiled pans – the eco setting works by washing for longer at lower temperatures, so give it time.

Ten minutes once a month keeps most dishwashers running well:

Cleaning inside appliances isn't usually part of a standard regular clean, but it is often included in kitchen deep cleans and end of tenancy cleans. Our kitchen deep cleaning checklist covers everything else worth doing at the same time.