Limescale build-up inside the machine, a blocked filter or deposits on the door seal: cleaning your dishwasher regularly prevents unpleasant smells and keeps washing performance reliable in the long run. In this step-by-step guide, we explain how to clean the filter, spray arms and interior properly, which natural remedies work best, and what owners of a countertop dishwasher should pay particular attention to.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher?
Not every part of the dishwasher needs to be cleaned at the same frequency. The filter should be checked regularly and rinsed every few wash cycles, as food debris accumulates there quickly. The interior and spray arms are best cleaned thoroughly around once a month.
The door seal is often overlooked during cleaning, yet constant moisture means mould can develop there rapidly. A monthly check is sufficient in most cases. In areas with hard water, it may be worth cleaning the interior every two to three weeks to reduce limescale build-up before it becomes difficult to remove.
As a general rule: the filter needs the most frequent attention, while a thorough clean of the interior once a month is sufficient for most households.
How to Clean the Dishwasher Filter, Racks and Spray Arms
The filter catches food debris and is therefore the part of the dishwasher that needs cleaning most frequently. Remove the filter from the bottom of the machine and rinse it under running water. Stubborn deposits can be removed with a soft brush or an old toothbrush. Do not forget the area around the filter opening inside the machine, where food residue and deposits also tend to accumulate.
The spray arms should also be checked and cleaned regularly. On most machines they are easy to remove. Check whether any of the nozzles are blocked with limescale or food residue. Deposits inside the holes can be gently dislodged with a cocktail stick or a thin needle. Rinse the spray arms thoroughly under clean water to ensure all loosened deposits are completely removed. Only refit them once all the holes are clear.
The racks do not usually require intensive cleaning. Pull them out and wipe the wire grids and corners with a damp sponge. Food residue can build up particularly in hard-to-reach spots. Allow all cleaned parts to dry completely before putting them back in place.
How to Clean the Dishwasher Door Seal: Removing Dirt and Mould
The door seal is one of the most frequently neglected areas when cleaning a dishwasher. Constantly exposed to moisture and able to trap food residue and detergent residue, it often develops dark deposits or mould over time.
Start by wiping the seal with a damp cloth, paying particular attention to the folds and grooves where dirt can become trapped. For stubborn deposits, an old toothbrush is ideal for gently scrubbing the rubber seal. Dark or black discolouration may indicate mould growth. For light deposits, a cloth dampened with diluted white vinegar can help. Wipe the seal thoroughly with clean water afterwards.
After cleaning, dry the door seal with a clean cloth. If the dishwasher will not be used for an extended period, leave the door slightly ajar. This allows residual moisture to evaporate and reduces the risk of unpleasant smells or mould forming.
How to Clean the Inside of Your Dishwasher
The interior of your dishwasher can be cleaned with natural remedies or with a commercial specialist cleaner. Both methods are suitable for regular maintenance cleaning. Which option is better depends on the level of soiling and the deposits present in the machine. Always run a cleaning cycle with an empty dishwasher.
Cleaning a Dishwasher with Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda
White vinegar and bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) are popular natural remedies for cleaning a dishwasher. They can help with light deposits and unpleasant odours. For regular deep cleaning, however, specialist dishwasher cleaners are generally more effective.
Start by placing a heatproof bowl containing around 250 ml of white vinegar on the bottom rack and running a hot wash cycle with no dishes inside. During the cycle, the vinegar is distributed around the interior and can help loosen limescale and grease deposits.
Next, once the first cycle has finished, sprinkle a little bicarbonate of soda over the bottom of the empty dishwasher and run another short cycle at high temperature. The bicarbonate of soda supports the cleaning process and can help to reduce any remaining odours.
Finally, allow the dishwasher to cool slightly after the cleaning programme has ended. Wipe down the interior with a clean, dry cloth, paying particular attention to the corners and the area around the door opening.
Cleaning a Dishwasher with a Specialist Cleaner
Specialist dishwasher cleaners are particularly suitable when there is heavy limescale or grease build-up, persistent unpleasant odours, or if the machine has not been cleaned for some time. They are available as tablets or liquid and have been developed specifically for cleaning the interior and descaling the dishwasher.
Start by removing any coarse debris and cleaning the filter and racks separately if needed, as described in the previous section.
Next, add the cleaner to the detergent compartment according to the manufacturer's instructions, or place the tablet directly in the interior if specified. Run a wash cycle at the highest temperature possible so the cleaner can work to its full effect.
Finally, allow the dishwasher to air out at the end of the cleaning programme by leaving the door slightly ajar. If there are heavy limescale deposits, it may be worth repeating the cleaning after a few days.
Cleaning a Countertop Dishwasher: What's Different?
A countertop dishwasher works on the same principle as a built-in model, but has a few features that need to be considered when cleaning. In particular, the water tank, the compact filter and the drainage system require a little extra attention on smaller machines.
Cleaning and Draining the Water Tank
The key difference is the built-in water tank. As it cannot easily be removed on many models, cleaning should be carried out following the manufacturer's instructions. On compatible machines, a specialist dishwasher cleaner can help reduce deposits inside the machine and within the water system. On the HAVA R09, a dedicated Self-Clean programme makes regular maintenance even easier. The filling opening and the accessible areas around the tank should also be wiped down regularly with a damp cloth.
If the machine will not be used for an extended period, the water tank should be drained completely to prevent stagnant water remaining inside the appliance. Many countertop dishwashers have a residual drain function that can be used to remove any remaining water.
Cleaning the Filter
The filter in a countertop dishwasher is more compact than in a full-size built-in model and should therefore be checked regularly. On the HAVA countertop dishwasher, the filter is located at the bottom of the interior and can be removed easily for rinsing under running water. Stubborn food debris can be gently removed with an old toothbrush.
Checking the Salt Compartment
Models with a built-in salt compartment, such as the HAVA R09 countertop dishwasher, also require a periodic check of the salt level. Particularly in areas with hard water, ensuring there is sufficient regenerating salt supports water softening and helps prevent limescale build-up and a decline in washing performance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Your Dishwasher
How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher?
The filter should be checked regularly and rinsed every few wash cycles, as food debris accumulates quickly. The interior and spray arms are best cleaned thoroughly around once a month. The door seal should also be checked periodically and wiped down when necessary. In areas with hard water, cleaning the interior every two to three weeks can be useful to reduce limescale build-up at an early stage.
Why Does My Dishwasher Smell?
Unpleasant smells are most commonly caused by food debris in the filter, grease deposits inside the machine, or dirt on the door seal. Start by cleaning the filter and wiping down the door seal thoroughly. For the interior, a cleaning cycle using natural remedies or a specialist cleaner can help to reduce deposits and odours. If the machine is not going to be used for a period of time, leave the door slightly ajar so any residual moisture can evaporate.
Can You Clean a Dishwasher with Vinegar or Citric Acid?
White vinegar is a popular natural remedy for cleaning a dishwasher and can help with light limescale build-up and unpleasant odours. Place a bowl of diluted white vinegar on the bottom rack and run a hot wash cycle with no dishes.
Citric acid is suitable in principle for removing limescale, but should not be used excessively or too frequently, as acids can affect certain materials such as seals and metal parts over time. For regular deep cleaning, specialist dishwasher cleaners are in many cases the more suitable choice.
What Natural Products Can You Use to Clean a Dishwasher?
White vinegar and bicarbonate of soda are the best-known natural remedies for cleaning a dishwasher. Vinegar can help to reduce light limescale deposits and unpleasant odours, while bicarbonate of soda is often used to neutralise residual smells. For heavier soiling or a thorough deep clean, specialist dishwasher cleaners generally deliver more reliable results.
How Do You Clean a Countertop Dishwasher with a Water Tank?
For a countertop dishwasher with a water tank, cleaning should be carried out following the manufacturer's instructions. As the tank cannot easily be removed on many models, a specialist dishwasher cleaner can help to reduce deposits inside the machine and in the water system.
On the HAVA R09, a dedicated Self-Clean programme makes regular maintenance even easier. If the machine will not be used for an extended period, the water tank should be drained completely to prevent stagnant water remaining inside. If the model has a residual drain function, this can be used to remove any remaining water.
Summary
A regularly cleaned dishwasher runs more reliably, stays free of odours and can maintain its washing performance over the long term. By regularly caring for the filter, door seal and interior, many common problems can be prevented before they develop.
Those using a countertop dishwasher with a water tank should also maintain the tank regularly and drain it completely if the machine is not going to be used for a while. Models such as the HAVA R09 make maintenance easier with a built-in Self-Clean programme that simplifies the regular cleaning of the interior and water system.
