Despite its job being to wash away the remnants of dinner, your dishwasher isn't immune to the grime and funk that can accumulate over time—no, it doesn't clean itself!

So, if you're ready to bring back the shine to your appliance, stick around, as here we'll share with you a way to clean your dishwasher like a pro. The cool part? No need to douse it in harsh chemicals; just raid your kitchen for some baking soda and vinegar!

Step #1. Empty out your dishwasher

Your dishwasher has to be completely empty for a thorough cleaning. So, take out racks, utensil holders, dishes, and any other stuff you could have in there.

Chuck the racks and holders into the sink with some warm, soapy water to scrub them as soon as you take them out so they're good and dry when you're done sprucing up your machine.

Step #2. Make sure to clean the filter

Your dishwasher filter is one of the most important parts to clean. Neglect it, and you might face blockages, leaks, or a busted water pump. And if you notice a funky smell coming out of your appliance, it's often thanks to food clogging up the filter.

Here's the drill for cleaning the filter:

1. Take out the filter. Spot it as a little circular gadget at the bottom of the dishwasher. Twist and lift, or consult the appliance's manual if you're unsure where it is and how to take it out.
2. In most dishwashers, you'll find a mesh filter. If yours has it, pull it out too.
3. Get into the cavity where the filter sat and clear out any lingering food bits.
4. Toss both filters in the sink, hit them with warm, soapy water, and scrub away the grime. Use a soft toothbrush for the mesh filter and your kitchen sponge for the other one.
5. Put the filters back where they belong, all in the right order.

Note: Some dishwashers have self-cleaning filters. If yours is one of them, just skip this step.

Step #3. Pretreat the dishwasher

To make your cleaning more effective, pretreat your dishwasher's walls. That way, stuck on food will be easier to deal with.

First, grab a clean cloth, dip it in warm, soapy water, and wipe over all the goo and gunk. Rinse and repeat. Not every bit will budge, but the most stubborn stuff will be softened. Also, you can use a toothpick or clip to tackle any clogged water jet holes.

Note: Food on the door's rubber seal can lead to leaks. If you spot gunk there, hit it with soapy water and a soft toothbrush.

Step #4. Run a cycle with vinegar

The main role of vinegar here is to help you dissolve hard water spots. Fill a dishwasher-safe bowl with two cups of vinegar, place it on the dishwasher's floor, and let the machine run a hot water cycle.

Once the cycle ends, there will be no more white spots, and the grease will be weakened. Vinegar will work against bad odors, too!

Note: Concerned about vinegar harming your dishwasher? No sweat! It's safe as long as you avoid pouring it into the detergent compartment.

Step #5. Finish with baking soda

Once the previous cycle wraps up, run a short new one (also with hot water), but this time, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on the dishwasher floor. Baking soda's chemical prowess will work on the softened stains, gunk, and grease, dissolving them in water.

Lastly, run a drying cycle before placing the racks and holders back into the dishwasher.

Note: If your dishwasher lacks a drying cycle, dry the interior manually with a clean cloth. Pay attention to slits and tiny holes to avoid potential mold growth.

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