How To Deep Clean Your Dishwasher - GE Appliances

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Making sure your dishwasher is as clean as the dishes it washes might not always be at the top of your mind. You're likely keeping the outside neat, but what about the inside where the real work happens? What can you do to prevent dishwasher smells? Or how can you fix a dishwasher that’s not cleaning well? Simply giving your dishwasher a thorough inside cleaning can help with these problems and is easier than you might think. Remember: Having a clean dishwasher is key to ensuring it continues to look great and work efficiently.

1. Start with the Basics: Remove Debris

First, check the bottom of your dishwasher for any food scraps or other bits. Take a quick wipe with a damp cloth to remove any debris. If you find the spray arm's jets are clogged, a gentle poke with a paper clip or tweezers can clear them out.

2. Focus on the Filter

A clean filter is essential for an efficient dishwasher. Just a bit of care here makes all the difference. Check your owner’s manual to determine if your model has a removable filter. If it does, follow these instructions to clean it.

3. Tackling Mineral Buildup

Hard water can leave deposits inside your dishwasher. While GE Appliance Parts offers products like Cascade dishwasher cleaner for this job. This product recommends you run and empty cycle with one dose-pack of cleaner per month to break through limescale, grease, and other buildup that can cause odors.

Cleaning your dishwasher with vinegar is another fairly easy way you can remove some of the buildup. Check out our DIY dishwasher cleaner and vinegar rinse walkthrough for details.

Additional Tips for a Spotless Dishwasher

Check the bottom of your dishwasher after every load and use a soft cloth to wipe out any debris or bits of food left there. Avoid using abrasive pads or strong cleaners inside your dishwasher. They can harm the finish. If you're dealing with persistent spots or stains, our list of suggested cleaning solutions can help. Scrape your dishes—but don’t rinse—before loading to remove significant food particles. Rinsing your dishes before may cause the dishwasher sensor to think your load is cleaner than it is and result in a less than optimized wash cycle. Make sure the water coming into your dishwasher is hot enough—at least 120 degrees. You can check it with a candy thermometer or meat thermometer. This ensures the detergent fully dissolves, giving you cleaner dishes. If needed, run your kitchen tap on hot before starting the dishwasher to raise the water temperature. Properly loading your dishwasher ensures that nothing obstructs the detergent dispenser, allowing for a more effective wash cycle. Many GE Dishwashers have a Sanitize Cycle that meets National Sanitize Foundation (NSF) Residential standards. Check your use and care manual to see if your dishwasher has a sanitize cycle and learn how to use it. By running this cycle, you can reduce 99% of bacteria on dishes. Keep the outside of your dishwasher clean, too, with non-abrasive cleaners like Cerama Bryte Stainless Steel Polish.

Shop GE Dishwashers with Sanitize Cycle.

Color: Fingerprint Resistant Black SlateTop Control with Stainless Steel Interior Dishwasher with Sanitize Cycle

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Color: Fingerprint Resistant StainlessFingerprint Resistant Top Control with Stainless Steel Interior Dishwasher with Sanitize Cycle

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Color: Fingerprint Resistant SlateTop Control with Plastic Interior Dishwasher with Sanitize Cycle & Dry Boost

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Color: Stainless SteelTop Control with Stainless Steel Interior Door Dishwasher with Sanitize Cycle & Dry Boost

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