Domakihub How to Clean a Dishwasher So It Smells Fresh Again
A simple step-by-step routine to remove odours, food buildup and limescale.
Reviewed by Domakihub cleaning pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
A dishwasher that smells or leaves a film on your glasses almost always just needs a proper clean of its own. The video above shows the process in action, and this guide walks you through every step so you can do it confidently at home. It is written with Greek households, holiday rentals and hotels in mind, where hard water and constant use make regular cleaning essential.
Why your dishwasher needs cleaning too
A dishwasher washes your dishes, but food scraps, grease and soap residue slowly collect in the filter, spray arms and seals. Over time this causes bad smells, cloudy glassware and dishes that never come out fully clean.
In much of Greece the tap water is hard, so limescale builds up quickly on the heating element and inner walls. Cleaning the machine every few weeks keeps it efficient, hygienic and odour-free, which matters even more in rentals and hotels where guests notice every detail.
What you will need
You only need a few inexpensive items: white vinegar, baking soda, a soft brush or old toothbrush, a cloth and warm soapy water. For heavy limescale a dedicated dishwasher cleaner or citric acid also works well.
Always check your appliance manual first. Some manufacturers advise against vinegar on certain rubber seals, in which case citric acid or a commercial dishwasher cleaner is the safer choice.
Step-by-step: cleaning your dishwasher
- 1
Empty the machine and remove the filter
Take out all racks and utensil holders, then twist out the filter at the bottom of the tub. This is where most food debris and grease collect, and a clogged filter is the number one cause of smells and poor washing.
- 2
Rinse and scrub the filter
Rinse the filter under warm running water and scrub it gently with a soft brush and a little dish soap to dislodge trapped food and grease. Clear away any debris sitting in the filter housing before refitting it securely.
- 3
Clean the spray arms, seals and edges
Check the spray arm holes for blockages and poke out any debris with a toothpick. Wipe the rubber door seal, the edges around the door and the detergent dispenser, where grime and mould often hide unseen.
- 4
Run a vinegar cycle
Place a dishwasher-safe bowl with about one cup of white vinegar on the top rack, then run a hot, empty cycle. The vinegar cuts through grease, dissolves limescale and neutralises odours throughout the interior.
- 5
Finish with baking soda
Sprinkle a cup of baking soda across the bottom of the empty tub and run a short hot cycle. This deodorises, brightens the interior and removes any lingering smell, leaving the dishwasher fresh and ready to use.
Rather have a pro handle it?
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FAQ
- How often should I clean my dishwasher?
- Rinse the filter weekly and run a full vinegar-and-baking-soda clean roughly once a month. In hard-water areas or busy rentals and hotels, every two to three weeks is better to control limescale and odours.
- Can I use vinegar and baking soda at the same time?
- Run them as two separate cycles, not together. Use the vinegar cycle first to cut grease and limescale, then the baking soda cycle to deodorise. Combining them in one go cancels out much of their effect.
- Why does my dishwasher still smell after cleaning?
- A lingering smell usually means a partly blocked filter or drain, or trapped food in the spray arms or door seal. Recheck and deep-clean those spots, and leave the door slightly open between washes so the interior can dry.