Best way to clean stainless steel dishwasher

People ask us all the time: Can stainless steel pots and pans go in the dishwasher? And we answer: Yes! Well, that was an easy one, thanks for stopping by… Oh, you want to know more? Lucky for you, we wrote a whole article about how to wash your stainless steel pots and pans in the dishwasher.

1. Check If Your Stainless Steel Is Dishwasher Safe

On the bottom of your cookware, there is a stamp that helps identify what items are dishwasher safe. If you have trouble locating a label and are unsure what material the pan is made of, check the original packaging or the manufacturer’s website.

2. Skip the Pre-Scrubbing

Premium Cascade ActionPacs™ have the power to clean without pre-rinsing or pre-washing, which saves both water and time. If there's heavy stuck-on food, just use a wooden spatula to scrape off as much as you can into the garbage; then it's off to the dishwasher.

3. Load Pots and Pans in the Dishwasher

Refer to your owner’s manual. Some dishwasher manuals specify to load pots and pans on their sides on the bottom rack. There are standard practices for loading a dishwasher, and for most machines, placing cookware mess side down on the bottom rack works best. This lets the spray jets work their magic.

4. Cascade Platinum Powers Through Stainless Steel Messes

For best results, use a Cascade Platinum ActionPac in your dishwasher. It has special enzymes that latch on, break down, and wash away food with no pre-washing on your part. So, it's powerful enough to remove those baked-on messes, but won't damage any non-stick linings your pots and pans have.

5. Set Your Dishwasher

If available, use the pots and pans dishwasher setting. If your dishwasher doesn’t have this setting, select the longest cycle – give that baked-on food a little extra oomph!

The pan of steel is now stainless again. But it’ll get dirty again, too—that’s the occupational hazard for all your kitchen items. And when their turn comes, you’ll have the dishwashing knowledge to clean them as well. Think of it as your superpower.

Why It's Important to Clean a Dishwasher

Cleaning a dishwasher is a key preventative step in home maintenance. If you habitually put this chore off, unwanted residue like minerals, grease, grime and limescale will build up inside your unit. Over time, it will become less effective. compromising its effectiveness over time. In other words, your dishwasher just won’t clean things as well. Think plates with stuck-on crumbs and cloudy wine glasses. And, its poor performance might lead you to pay for costly repairs that aren’t actually needed.

A dirty dishwasher can start to smell bad, which no one wants. So, for the sake of your future dishes and the current state of your kitchen, follow the tips below and clean your dishwasher on a regular basis.

Cleaning the Dishwasher Parts

One of the easiest ways to clean a dishwasher is by starting with the removable parts. Take out the utensil holder and dishwasher racks. Rinse or wipe them to remove bits of food.

If foods are caked-on, fill your sink half-full with warm water and add 2 cups of white vinegar. Vinegar is natural and safe to use in your dishwasher and works as a DIY dishwasher cleaner. Place the parts in the sink and let them soak for 20 minutes. Then rinse them and put them back in place.

How to Clean Inside a Dishwasher

Grime can accumulate inside a dishwasher until your dishes no longer get properly clean. As mentioned before, built-up grime can also cause unpleasant odors.

To begin, you can clean a dishwasher with vinegar to eliminate the grime and odors. Here’s how: First, empty the dishwasher. Then put 1 cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl and place it on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run the hottest cycle on the dishwasher. Skip the drying cycle and open the dishwasher door to let it air-dry.

You can also sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda on the floor of an empty dishwasher and run a short cycle on the hottest setting to clean the interior and kill odors. As with cleaning a dishwasher with vinegar, skip the drying cycle and let the dishwasher air dry. Using vinegar and baking soda are easy, effective ways to clean inside a dishwasher, but do not use them together at the same time. Clean with the vinegar first and then with the baking soda.

Additionally, cleaning a dishwasher with bleach can deep clean its interior and remove tough stains, mold and mildew, but only if your dishwasher is not stainless steel and does not contain stainless steel. Pour 1 cup of bleach into a dishwasher-safe, bleach-safe bowl and place it on the top rack of your dishwasher. Then run a full cycle, but skip the drying cycle.

Tip: Do not use bleach in a stainless steel dishwasher or a dishwasher that contains stainless steel parts, as bleach will damage it. Also, do not use bleach at the same time you clean with baking soda or vinegar.

How to Clean a Dishwasher Door and Gasket

Clean the inside of the dishwasher door. Gently wipe around the rubber gasket with an old, soft toothbrush and a solution of 3 cups of hot water mixed with a 1/2 cup of vinegar. Some manufacturers will tell you to clean only with warm water, so follow the instructions for your dishwasher.

If the gasket still looks dirty or shows signs of mold or mildew, read the manufacturer’s directions to see if you can use an all-purpose cleaner or other product to clean the gasket without harming it.

How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter

While many newer dishwashers come with self-cleaning filters, if your model has a manual filter, remove it and clean it once a month or as often as needed. Your owner's manual will have more information on how to clean a dishwasher filter, but in general, remove and rinse the filter using these steps:

Unlock the upper dishwasher filter and gently pull it out. If your model has a lower filter, remove it, too.
Check the filter base inside the dishwasher for any food that might be caught there. Wipe the area with a damp microfiber towel to clean it.
Wash the filter by hand in warm, soapy water. Gently scrub it with a small, soft-bristle brush if there are stuck-on food particles.
Rinse the filters thoroughly under warm running water.
Put the filters back in place. If the upper filter has a locking mechanism, be sure it's locked before you run the dishwasher again.

How to Clean a Dishwasher Drain

Cleaning the dishwasher drain is another important monthly step in the deep-cleaning process. First, put 1 cup of white vinegar in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds so it is slightly warm.

Take the bowl out of the microwave and stir in 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Pour the mixture into the drain at the bottom of the dishwasher. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, boil a kettle of water. Just as the boil is dying down, carefully pour the water down the dishwasher drain to help clear out any debris or clogs. Do this slowly, taking care not to get splashed with the hot water.

Tip: If you have a garbage disposal, be sure it’s also clean and running well. Dishwasher clogs and draining problems can sometimes be traced to a clogged or dirty garbage disposal.

How to Clean the Dishwasher Exterior

Knowing how to clean a dishwasher on the inside is important but don’t forget to clean the dishwasher exterior, too. Use a cleaning cloth and warm, soapy water to clean the outside panel. Dry it with an old towel.

For a stainless steel dishwasher, use a glass cleaner or stainless steel cleaner.

How to Clean a Smelly Dishwasher

Sometimes dishwashers don’t just fail to clean dishes properly, they also start to smell bad. These odors often come from bits of food stuck in the dishwasher drain or in the jets on the spray arms. Knowing how to clean a smelly dishwasher can help you get rid of those bad smells.

Start by inspecting the spray arms and clean any blocked jets with toothpicks, if necessary. Use paper towels or a cloth to wipe up any debris from the bottom of the dishwasher tub. Clean the inside of the dishwasher again, or as often as needed, if the smell persists.

From built-in dishwashers to portable dishwashers, learning how to clean a dishwasher will result in cleaner dishes and an appliance that will last much longer. The best way to clean a dishwasher is to find a method that works for you, then stick to a regular cleaning schedule.

Ready to find cleaning supplies or other items for cleaning a dishwasher in your local store? Use The Home Depot app to locate products and check inventory. We'll take you to the exact aisle and bay.

What can I use to clean my stainless steel dishwasher?

Simply sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of your stainless steel dishwasher tub, and run the dishwasher again on a short cycle with the water as hot as possible. The baking soda will get to work tackling any stains to help your dishwasher look sparkling fresh and new.

Does vinegar damage stainless steel?

Vinegar is safe to use on stainless steel and helps remove oil and grime. Fill a reusable spray bottle with a combination of 1:1 white vinegar and water. Spritz it on, and wipe it off — no need to rinse!

Does vinegar damage stainless steel dishwasher?

Small Appliances The plastic and glass surfaces on most small kitchen appliances, such as blenders, coffee makers, and toasters, are safe to clean with vinegar, but you want to avoid any rubber parts or metal that vinegar can corrode. This includes stainless steel.

How do you remove hard water stains from stainless steel dishwasher?

Solution: Run Dishwasher Empty with Vinegar White vinegar is the best way to defeat hard water on a case-by-case basis. The acid in the vinegar breaks down the chalky scale and makes it possible for hot water to wash it all away. To clean the entire inside of your dishwasher, you don't have to crouch and scrub.

clean stainless steel dishwasher