Hand opening dishwasher door horizontal banner

How to Maintain Your Dishwasher

Play Button

You regularly change your car's oil. You tune up your lawnmower each spring. Your dishwasher is just as much a machine as your car and lawnmower, so it should be maintained too. Because keep in mind: If it breaks, you're doing the dishes by HAND. Now, now, don't panic—just read our handy dishwasher maintenance tips. And before servicing any machine, what do we do? We read the owner’s manual (you too, guys). These tips work for most dishwashers, but in the rare case you find a discrepancy, follow your owner’s manual.

1. Clean Filter

If your dishwasher has a filter, remove it and clean off any food or grime. Food can become trapped in the filter and impair cleaning.

Cleaning soils at the bottom of dirty dishwasher

2. Clean the Door and Seals

Dishwashers have seals around the door rim to prevent the machine from leaking while running. Wipe down the rubber seals and the door with a damp cloth to prevent soil and grime from building up. A drop of Dawn® will do the trick.

3. Clean the Spray Arm

Wipe down the spray arm with a damp towel. We recommend removing the spray arm to clear any blockages with a toothpick every six months. Refer to your owner’s manual for detailed instructions on how to remove and clean your spray arm.

4. Make it Monthly

Cleaning your dishwasher once a month helps prevent a build of germs and maintains your machine’s efficiency.

5. Keep it Running

Running your dishwasher at least once a week keeps the motor seals working properly. Remember, even small loads can save water with your dishwasher.

Dishwasher pod and cleaning dishwasher sprayer arm

Nice work! If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get even more hands-on with maintenance, check out these steps for a thorough and proper dishwasher cleaning. In fact, you can empower yourself with loads of knowledge by reading our full dishwashing guide.

However, if you’d rather maintain your hydration with a cold beverage, an easy way to service your machine is by using Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Cleaner once a month. Just one pac in an empty wash cycle gives you a fresh, clean machine.

Recommended Articles

How To Clean Your Dishwasher

Did you know that a well-cleaned dishwasher will produce the best results? Learn how to clean your dishwasher and ensure your dishes shine!

Saving Energy While Using the Dishwasher

Wondering how you can save energy while using the dishwasher? Get solutions to dish issues and other dishwasher tips from Cascade.

Filming Caused By Hard Water - FAQ

Do you have hard water causing white film on your dishes and glasses? Get answers to FAQs about Cascade & find other solutions & tips for dish issues.