how do you clean the inside of a dishwasher? I heard something about vinegar?

Answer 1

The instructions that came with my dishwasher say to fill the soap dispenser with baking soda and put a cup of vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher. Run on the longest, hottest cycle. I also have to clean the bottom filter which on my Whirlpool is removable by unscrewing it and lifting it out. There is usually a real lot of smelly food particles down there and I soak the filter in a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water to remove the filmy grease accumulation which attracts and makes the food particles stick to it.

Answer 2

How to Clean Your Dishwasher

The interior is self-cleaning. If a stain does occur, clean with dishwasher detergent and water, wearing rubber gloves to protect hands from very alkaline detergent. A heavy film buildup from hard water minerals may be removed by adding vinegar or citric acid crystals (buy at drugstore) to dishwasher without any dishes in it, after it fills with water at start of first cycle. Do this only if appliance manual suggests this is OK, and if the buildup bothers the owner (as it does no harm). However, very hard water can deposit mineral film on dishes, glasses, and flatware, and on dishwasher pump and moving parts; it is wise if water if very hard to install a water softener before installing a dishwasher.

If iron in water causes rust stains inside dishwasher, buy a commercial soluble rust remover (grocery or hardware), checking label to be sure it can be used to dishwasher. Start empty dishwasher on rinse cycle. As it fills, open and add 1/2 cup rust remover. Let dishwasher complete cycle. If iron problem continues so that another treatment is required, better to install an iron filter in water system to remove iron as this will affect dishes, laundry, and all fixtures.


Most of the time when dishwashers are dirty, these are the typical problems:
# Mold

# Scale

# Rust

# Discoloration

# Build-up from food



For cleaning your dishwasher, you’ll want to use the right approach for your particular problem. Try the following ideas and be aware that you may need to do more than one application. Please note that the dishwasher should be empty and not have any dishes when you run it and do not add any detergent. Run your dishwasher on its hottest setting for all the cleaning methods below.

Mold. Run the dishwasher empty and add in one cup of bleach. This will whiten and brighten the tub and kill any mold that is growing.

Scale. Over time water in the dishwasher will create discolorations and deposits. To clean these, add one half container of Tang Orange Drink Mix. Tang is high in citric acid and will loosen hard water deposits and loosen scale. It’s a good all-purpose dishwasher cleaner. You may need to wipe the inside of the dishwasher with a sponge to remove the rest of the scale. Cleaners will often loosen the debris, but because scale is so stubborn it may need to be physically wiped off.

Rust. Like scale, rust is often found in the water in many homes. Rust will discolor the inside of the dishwasher. To remove rust stains, run one half container of Tang Orange Drink Mix. If deposits are removed and there is still a stain remaining, add a cup of bleach and run the dishwasher empty.

Discoloration, Buildup, and for General Cleaning. Run one cup of vinegar and one cup of baking soda. If discoloration still remains, add one cup of bleach and one cup of vinegar and run through a regular cycle.

Answer 3

if you tip a cup full of vinegar into the dishwasher, then put it on a normal wash cycle, after it has finished it should not have any nasty smells and it should be nice and clean. The vinegar deodorizes and cleans it.

Answer 4

Use 1 pouch of regular lemonade Kool-aid, run thru empty dishwasher.

Answer 5

I use powdered sweetened/non-sweetened drink mix and run it through an empty cycle.. It works and it's super cheap.