How to Naturally Deep Clean Your Dishwasher

Posted By: Truly Free

Posted On: 12/10/2024

Just as taking time for yourself is a reset for your mind, giving your dishwasher some regular TLC helps prevent burnout—or breakdowns.

You may be surprised to learn that your dishwasher—an appliance made to clean dishes—needs to be cleaned itself. Why? Over time, food particles, grease, and soap scum can build up causing unpleasant odors and even reduced performance.

To keep your dishwasher running smoothly and your dishware sparkling, we recommend doing a simple deep clean once a month. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Clean Inside Your Dishwasher

The most important part of this task is cleaning your filter and food trap. If you’re not sure where yours is—no shame, we’ve all been there—check your owner’s manual.

Soak the Filter and Food Trap

Unlock and remove the filter and food trap from your dishwasher.
Soak them in hot water and a squirt of Truly Free Dish Soap for 15 minutes.
Rinse and remove any debris before locking the filter back into place.
Wipe down the inside of the door, paying close attention to the dispenser and the area around the filter and food trap.

Run a Cleaning Cycle

Make sure the machine is empty for maximum effectiveness.
Sprinkle one packet of Truly Free Dishwasher Cleaner into the bottom of your dishwasher.
Run your machine on the heaviest and hottest cycle available.

Tip: In between deep cleans, check your food trap once a week to make sure it’s free of trapped food. This will make the deep clean even easier.

Step 2: Clean the Outside of Your Dishwasher

When the cleaning cycle is complete, it’s time to grab your Truly Free Everyday Cleaner and freshen the exterior.

Check for gunk around the door’s rubber gasket or seal—gently scrub it away with an old toothbrush.
Wipe down the exterior of your dishwasher to remove dust, dirt, and fingerprints with a reusable cleaning cloth.

This final and oh-so-satisfying touch ensures that both the inside and outside of your dishwasher are spotless and ready to get work for your family.

Tip: Experts recommend two things for optimal cleaning: to scrape dishes thoroughly before loading and to avoid overcrowding so the jets can do their job.

When it becomes part of your regular routine, maintaining a clean and efficient dishwasher is easier than you might think. Deep cleaning will not only help your appliance run more efficiently, it will give you ultra clean dishes.

Best of all, when you use Truly Free non-toxic cleaners, you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re not eating off plates bathed in harmful chemicals.