Ever pulled open your dishwasher and gotten smacked in the face by a weird, musty, or downright skunky odor? Ugh, me too. Nothing ruins the vibe faster than seeing streaks, cloudy glasses, or—ick—the remains of last week’s pasta. We Tested 5 Methods to Clean a Dishwasher, and the Winner Doesn’t Even Feel Like a Chore. Seriously, I thought I’d tried everything (do NOT get me started on the vinegar debate). After going on a cleaning spree (my air fryer needed love too!) and comparing notes with friends, I found some methods worth sharing—and only a couple are duds. If you’ve had success with coffee pot cleaning, you’ll see some crossover here… trust me, squeaky clean can happen, with almost zero effort. 
The Story Behind This Recipe
Hey, I’m Alexandraa! This 5 Easy Ways We Tested to Clean a Dishwasher (And One’s a Game Changer) was built for busy nights: simple steps, reliable results, and flavor that makes people ask for seconds. Ever pulled open your dishwasher and gotten smacked in the face by a weird, musty, or downright skunky odor? Ugh, me too. Nothing ruins the vibe…
Best Practices for Maintaining a Clean Dishwasher
So, first things first—if you want a clean dishwasher (and who doesn’t?), consistency is key. Evil gunk doesn’t just show up overnight.
- Run your dishwasher regularly. Oddly, even running it empty helps flush out old food bits.
- Wipe the gasket (that rubbery seal!) at least once a month. You won’t believe the grime that hides there.
- Scrape—not rinse—dishes. It saves water and actually helps your machine do its job.
- Use a high-quality detergent (nope, the cheapest pods are not always your friend).
“Swapping to these habits, my machine stopped smelling like wet dog and my glasses finally stopped looking like they’d been through a dust storm. Just… game changed!” — Camila R., real dishwasher-hater turned fan
Comparison of Popular Cleaning Methods
Alright, roll up those sleeves (kidding, this takes seconds). Here’s what I put to the test:
- White Vinegar Rinse: Everyone’s grandma swears by this—top rack, cup of vinegar, hot cycle.
- Baking Soda Sprinkle: Shake it onto the bottom, short hot wash. Works, but can get clumpy.
- Dishwasher Cleaning Tablets: Drop and go. Some extra lemony ones actually made me crave lemonade. Hm.
- Bleach (ONLY for non-stainless models): Kills smells, but use with caution—and windows open!
- DIY Citrus Bomb: Lemon slices in a dishwasher-safe bowl. Cycle on hot. Leaves a dreamy, fresh smell.
Each one had its perks (except bleach, which had my place smelling like a middle school pool for hours). 
Results and Ratings of Each Method
Now, truth time—some methods worked, some… meh.
- Citrus Bomb: Absolute winner. Smells so fresh, actually feels like less work. No leftover residue.
- Vinegar: Decent, but didn’t quite destroy the smell monster. Not as magical as TikTok claims, sorry.
- Baking Soda: Good for deodorizing, but you gotta run a rinse after, or white powder lingers.
- Cleaning Tablets: Easy and effective, but honestly, pricey if you’re cleaning often.
- Bleach: Works wonders on white plastic, but I’d skip unless your dishwasher is truly tragic.
My glasses looked so shiny after the lemon method, I legit gasped. Even my picky aunt commented. If you’re curious about easy cleanup, this plastic cutting board guide gave me some inspiration, too.
Tips for Choosing the Right Cleaning Method for Your Dishwasher
Okay, nobody likes wasted effort—pick the right fix for your kitchen.
- Got a stainless steel interior? Ditch the bleach, friend. Go citrus or vinegar.
- Only got five minutes? Tablets or a vinegar rinse win—set and forget.
- Want natural shine and a good smell? Citrus bomb all the way.
- Dirty filters? Pull ‘em out and rinse in the sink—don’t be shy.
If you’re on a cleaning kick, don’t skip that stovetop—here’s what finally worked for me with my glass cooktop: sparkling glass stovetop cleaning.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning a Dishwasher
Even the best of us have flubbed a cleaning routine (uh, looking at you, melted Tupperware from last year). Here’s what NOT to do:
- Mixing vinegar and bleach. Science lesson: that combo makes NASTY gas.
- Skipping filter cleaning. If you ignore it, nothing else helps.
- Using too much soap. More isn’t better—hello, sudsy flood!
- Rarely running the dishwasher. Machines like action, not dust.
Now and then, just a quick look under the racks saves a world of headaches.
Common Questions
Q: Can I use regular dish soap to clean my dishwasher?
A: Nope! Trust me, you do not want a suds explosion. Stick to methods above.
Q: How often should I deep clean my dishwasher?
A: Once a month, give or take. If you notice smells or residue, bump it up.
Q: Are dishwasher cleaning tablets worth the money?
A: If you like easy—yes. But if you prefer cheap-and-cheerful, vinegar or lemon works.
Q: Does it matter if I rinse dishes first?
A: Just scrape ‘em. Let your dishwasher flex its muscles.
Q: Is bleach safe in my dishwasher?
A: Only use bleach on non-stainless models. And seriously—ventilate!
Ready to Make Your Dishwasher Sparkle? Let’s Do This!
So there you have it, in all our messy glory—the battle of the best dishwasher-cleaning tricks around. The honest winner? That lemon citrus bomb. It lifted years of stink and grime faster than you can say “weeknight dinner.” If you’re looking for more kitchen transformation hacks, check out these reviews from The Very Best Way to Clean a Dishwasher (We Tested 5 Methods …) and We Tested Basically Every Way to Clean Your Dishwasher, and the …—they’ll blow your mind with fresh tricks. And hey, while you’re at it, treat yourself to a quick meal (my favorite: cozy ground turkey and sweet potato skillet… trust me, it’s comfort in a bowl). Give your dishwasher a shot—shiny dishes are genuinely more fun to eat off of. 
