Cleaning a dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda is simple, and it helps remove grease, limescale, and odors.
Start by making sure the dishwasher is completely empty. Pull out the bottom rack and remove the filter if it’s accessible—this is usually where a lot of trapped food debris builds up. Rinse the filter under warm water and gently scrub it if needed before putting it back.
Next, use White vinegar. Pour about 1 cup into a dishwasher-safe bowl or mug and place it on the top rack. Run a hot wash cycle (no detergent). The vinegar helps break down grease, kill odor-causing bacteria, and dissolve mineral buildup.
After that cycle finishes, sprinkle about 1 cup of Baking soda across the bottom of the empty dishwasher. Run a short hot cycle. This step helps deodorise and lift any remaining stains or residue.
Finally, wipe down the door edges, rubber seals, and spray arms with a damp cloth. These areas often collect grime even after a full cycle.
A couple of small cautions: don’t run vinegar and baking soda in the same cycle—they neutralise each other, which reduces their cleaning power. And if your dishwasher has heavy limescale buildup, you may need to repeat the vinegar cycle monthly.
