It's a common occurrence that people don’t think about cleaning their dishwashers. After all, the appliance is used to clean dishes on a daily basis, and it's easy to assume that the dishwasher will get cleaned at the same time as it is washing dishes, but the reality is that food debris and other deposits build up over many uses. That buildup can result in a poor performing dishwasher and dishes that come out dingy and looking gross.

Regularly cleaning and maintaining your dishwasher can keep it running smoothly and can provide you with spotless dishes every time they get washed. So the answer is yes, you do need to clean your dishwasher. Keep reading for some easy-to-follow tips that will keep your dishwasher looking and performing at its best.

Use the dishwasher regularly

One of the best ways to ensure that your dishwasher is free from excess buildup is by running it regularly. Using your dishwasher frequently will keep debris from settling in the bottom of the appliance and can help reduce the amount of times that you will have to give it a thorough cleaning throughout the year.

Clean the dishwasher filter

Prevent food waste becoming trapped in the filter by emptying it on a regular basis - we recommend on a weekly basis at least. The inner filters can be cleaned under the kitchen-sink tap with a soft brush. The outer metal filter just needs rinsing under hot water.

Inspect & clean the spinning arms

Dishwashers work by spraying water out of their spinning arms onto the dishes inside. When those arms aren’t spinning properly or the holes in them are full of buildup, your dishes won’t be getting thoroughly cleaned. Make sure that the arms are spinning correctly and clean out any debris that has accumulated inside the holes with a small toothpick.

Top up with dishwasher salt and rinse aid

It's important to add dishwasher salt to stop limescale building up, and soften the water in the unit as dishwasher detergents only work effectively in soft water. Rinse aid helps dishes to dry without streaking. Most dishwashers have indicators showing when to top up both. Get yourself a funnel to make it easier for you to access where the salt and rinse aid needs to go and reduce the spills that occur.

Wipe the door seals clean

Food that gets stuck on the door rim of a dishwasher can lead to seals perishing and the dishwasher leaking, and it's really easy to prevent this. If you use your dishwasher regularly, a quick weekly wipe of the rim and seals with a damp cloth is all you need to do. It's that simple.

Run the dishwasher empty and hot

We admit this won’t have a massive impact on the reliability of your dishwasher, but a hot wash will guard against your machine smelling. The hot water will help remove any food residue which may have built up and led to nasty smells occurring. This is particularly important if you tend to use the eco program on your machine ore than any other program. This is because the programs that are eco use cooler water, which commonly results in a build-up of food residue. We recommend you run the dishwasher empty every 4- 6 months.

Consider using a dishwasher cleaner

Every six months when you run an empty and hot wash, it's worth considering using a dishwasher cleaner, too. Manufacturers recommend using a proper dishwasher cleaner, and we agree. Avoid using any 'natural' alternatives such as lemon juice or white vinegar, but also don’t use bleach or harsh cleaners either. This can degrade the seals and components and cause damage to the machine. Click HERE to learn more about the dishwasher cleaners out there.