# How to Clean a Dishwasher: A Step-by-Step Guide > A practical guide to cleaning a dishwasher from the inside: the filter, spray arm, door seal, and limescale from the UAE's hard water, step by step with simple household tools. Canonical: https://mizaanhome.com/en-ae/blog/how-to-clean-a-dishwasher/ Last updated: 2026-07-30 --- Cleaning a dishwasher isn't just running an empty cycle now and then, it's what prevents the grease and limescale buildup that reduces wash performance and shortens the machine's life. The good news is that the actual cleaning is simple and relies on plain household tools: white vinegar, baking soda, and an old toothbrush. ## The quick answer **Remove and hand-wash the filter weekly, wipe the door seal with a damp cloth every couple of weeks, and run an empty hot cycle with a cup of white vinegar once a month to dissolve limescale from the UAE's hard water.** Commercial cleaning tablets are a practical monthly add-on, not a replacement for this hand cleaning, since the filter and seal need direct contact that a chemical cycle alone doesn't reach. ## Key points - **The filter needs manual cleaning more than any other part**, since it traps food debris and grease directly. - **The UAE's hard water speeds up limescale buildup** on the spray arm and heating element if the dishwasher isn't cleaned regularly. - **White vinegar and baking soda handle most routine cleaning**, without needing expensive commercial products. - **The rubber door seal is a common spot for mold to collect**, especially if the door is closed right after every cycle. - **Commercial cleaning tablets complement hand cleaning, they don't replace it**, since they're useful for the internal pipes, not the filter and seal. ## Why does deep cleaning matter in the first place? A dishwasher works by spraying hot water through rotating arms, then draining it through a filter that traps larger food debris before the water reaches the pump ([general background on dishwasher parts, from Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/technology/home-appliance)). If that filter is left full, grease and food debris recirculate inside the machine instead of draining out, which is why dishes come out dirty or smelling even after a full cycle. The UAE's hard water adds another factor: limescale gradually builds up on the spray arm and heating element, reducing both spray and heating efficiency ([general background on limescale, from USGS](https://www.usgs.gov/water-science-school/science/hardness-water)). ## Weekly cleaning steps 1. **Remove the filter** from the bottom of the unit (usually a simple twist or a direct lift depending on the model), and rinse it under running water with light scrubbing from an old toothbrush. 2. **Check the spray arm holes** and clear them with a thin needle or a toothpick if they're blocked. 3. **Wipe the rubber door seal** with a cloth dampened in warm water and a little dish soap, focusing on the folds. 4. **Wipe the exterior control panel and handle** with a damp cloth, since these are spots many hands touch daily. 5. **Reinstall the filter properly** before the next cycle, since an improperly seated filter reduces drainage efficiency. ## Deep cleaning methods: which one to pick | Method | What it does | Best for | |---|---|---| | A cup of white vinegar + empty hot cycle | Dissolves light limescale, removes odors, and brightens surfaces | Regular monthly maintenance | | Baking soda sprinkled at the bottom | Absorbs odors and brightens light stains in a short extra cycle after the vinegar | A quick refresh between vinegar cycles | | Dedicated commercial cleaning tablets | Dissolves grease built up inside the pipes and heating element in one cycle | Anyone who prefers a ready-made monthly solution without mixing ingredients | | Manual scrubbing with an old toothbrush | Reaches the corners of the filter and seal that no cycle can | The filter and door seal specifically, there's no substitute | Manual scrubbing of the filter and seal is non-negotiable no matter which of the other three methods you choose, since these are mechanical parts that need direct access to every corner. ## Do I need commercial cleaning tablets? Dedicated dishwasher cleaning tablets are available commercially as a practical monthly add-on, used by running an empty cycle with one instead of vinegar. Their main advantage is reaching the corners of the internal pipes and heating element that are hard to access by hand, which is especially useful in homes with very hard water. But they aren't a replacement for the hand-cleaning steps above: the filter and door seal need direct contact with a brush, not a chemical cycle alone. Think of them as an optional convenience upgrade, not an essential step. ## The dishwasher that's actually easy to clean If you're still choosing a dishwasher, the design makes a real difference to how easy maintenance is. A dishwasher like the **Midea Countertop Dishwasher**, at 8 place settings, has a filter and removable parts that are easy to reach in a smaller footprint, and it's also the simplest choice for anyone who doesn't want to commit to a freestanding install. You'll find full details in our [guide to the best dishwasher in the UAE](/en-ae/best/best-dishwasher/). See the Midea Countertop Dishwasher price on Amazon.ae ↗ ## Bottom line Cleaning a dishwasher comes down to a simple weekly habit: a clean filter, a mold-free seal, and a monthly vinegar cycle that dissolves limescale from the UAE's hard water. Commercial cleaning tablets are a convenient add-on, not an essential one. If the smell persists despite all this, the problem is likely deeper than routine cleaning, read [how to get rid of a bad dishwasher smell](/en-ae/blog/dishwasher-bad-smell-fix/). And if the unit itself has stopped working, see [dishwasher not working: common causes](/en-ae/blog/dishwasher-not-working-troubleshooting/). For the full buying criteria, check [how to choose a dishwasher](/en-ae/guides/how-to-choose-a-dishwasher/) or browse the full [dishwashers section](/en-ae/dishwashers/). ## Sources - Britannica, "Home appliance (dishwashers)"," general background on dishwasher parts and how they work: https://www.britannica.com/technology/home-appliance - USGS, "Hardness of water"," general background on limescale and its effect on household appliances: https://www.usgs.gov/water-science-school/science/hardness-water ## Where to buy - [Affresh W10549851 Dishwasher Cleaner 6 Tablets Formulated to Clean Inside A](https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B00SXC85IQ/ref=nosim) - [Midea Countertop Dishwasher (8 place settings)](https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B07MW5526P/ref=nosim) --- > منهجية ميزان هوم: نعتمد على المواصفات الرسمية وإجماع تقييمات المشترين والأسعار المحلية، ولا نختبر المنتجات بأنفسنا (بلا ادعاء تجربة شخصية، وبلا تقييمات Review/AggregateRating من تأليفنا). الأسعار تقريبية ووقت النشر، وقد يحتوي الدليل على روابط تابعة. > > Mizaan Home method: we rely on official specifications, the consensus of buyer reviews, and local prices. We do not test products ourselves (no firsthand-testing claims, no self-authored Review/AggregateRating). Prices are approximate and correct at publication; this guide may contain affiliate links.