# How to Clean a Dishwasher: Filter, Spray Arms, and Limescale > A practical guide to cleaning a dishwasher: clearing the filter and spray arms, removing limescale buildup, and when a full monthly deep clean is worth running. Canonical: https://mizaanhome.com/en-sa/blog/how-to-clean-a-dishwasher/ Last updated: 2026-08-16 --- Clean your dishwasher's filter weekly by rinsing it under warm water to clear trapped food debris, and once a month run an empty cycle on the hottest setting with a cup of white vinegar or a dedicated dishwasher cleaner to dissolve the grease and limescale that build up on the spray arms and tub walls. That simple routine is the real difference between a dishwasher that turns out sparkling dishes and one that leaves residue or a smell despite running every day. Never mix vinegar with bleach or any chlorine-based cleaner - the combination releases toxic gases. Use one cleaner at a time and rinse thoroughly between products. ## The quick answer **Clean the filter weekly, wipe the door gasket and detergent dispenser with a damp cloth, and run a monthly empty cleaning cycle with white vinegar or a dedicated dishwasher cleaner on the hottest setting available.** This dissolves built-up grease and limescale, especially in hard water areas. The spray arms deserve a periodic check too, since their small holes clog easily with fine food debris. ## Key takeaways - **A dishwasher relies on spray arms that push hot water at high pressure**, so any partial blockage in their holes reduces spray force and leaves residue on dishes ([dishwasher definition from Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/technology/home-appliance)). - **The filter at the bottom of the tub traps larger food debris before it reaches the water pump**, and cleaning it weekly prevents a buildup that later restricts water flow. - **White limescale deposits on the walls and spray arms come from dissolved minerals in tap water**, and they build up faster in hard water areas ([limescale background from USGS](https://www.usgs.gov/water-science-school/science/hardness-water)). - **The door gasket traps moisture and fine debris by its very shape and position**, so wiping it down after heavy wash loads prevents a quiet buildup that only shows up weeks later. - **The monthly empty cleaning cycle matters more than any specific product**, because it runs the machine hotter than a typical daily wash, and that heat is what actually dissolves the grease. ## Why a normal wash cycle isn't enough on its own Every daily wash cycle leaves a small amount of grease, food residue, and dissolved minerals from the water inside the dishwasher, and a normal cycle at moderate heat doesn't fully dissolve these leftovers every time. Over time, a thin layer of grease and limescale builds up on the tub walls, spray arms, and door gasket, and this gradual buildup is exactly what makes dishes come out less shiny or with a faint smell even though the dishwasher looks like it's "working fine" on the surface. The fix isn't a stronger wash every day, it's a separate cleaning routine for the machine itself on a weekly and monthly cadence. ## Weekly filter cleaning steps The filter is the part that needs the most regular attention: 1. **Unplug the dishwasher or wait until the cycle has fully finished** before opening the door to clean it. 2. **Remove the filter from the base of the tub** (usually with a quarter turn, check your model's manual for the exact method). 3. **Rinse it under warm running water** and remove any stuck food debris or grease with an old toothbrush if needed. 4. **Check the filter opening itself in the tub base** and wipe away any buildup around it with a cloth. 5. **Reinstall the filter securely** before running a new wash cycle, since an improperly seated filter reduces drainage efficiency. ## Spray arms: check the holes regularly The spray arms (upper and lower) have small holes that push water under pressure to cover every dish, and these holes clog easily with fine food debris or limescale particles. Gently detach the arm per your model's manual, and check each hole with a toothpick or thin wire to clear any blockage, then rinse it under running water before reinstalling. The clearest sign of a clog is dishes that come out clean on one side of the rack with visible residue on the other, because water isn't reaching them with the same force. ## Removing limescale and built-up grease If you notice a faint white layer on the tub walls or spray arms, that's limescale from minerals in tap water, and it's more common in hard water areas. The simple monthly fix: - **Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl** on the top rack only (don't pour it directly onto metal parts). - **Run the dishwasher completely empty on the hottest setting available**, since high heat combined with the vinegar's acidity dissolves grease and limescale together. - **Or use a dedicated dishwasher cleaner** placed in the empty tub and run the same way, if you prefer a ready-made fix with a fixed measure instead of measuring vinegar by hand. - **Wipe the door gasket and detergent dispenser** with a damp cloth after the cycle, since they don't benefit from the internal wash cycle the same way. ## What if residue or a smell continues after cleaning? If you've cleaned the filter and spray arms and dishes still come out with residue or a faint smell, the problem is usually somewhere you haven't cleaned yet, like the drain line or the inside of the door gasket. [Why does a dishwasher smell and how do you fix it](/en-sa/blog/dishwasher-smell-causes-and-fix/) walks through the deeper causes for this specific situation step by step. ## A dishwasher that's easier to clean routinely When shopping for a new dishwasher, how easy it is to reach the filter and spray arms at cleaning time makes a real difference over the long run. A practical example from our shortlist: the **Midea 12-Place-Setting Dishwasher (7 Programs)** has an easily removable filter and 7 programs that let you pick a stronger cycle when you need a deeper clean, and it carries dozens of buyer reviews on Amazon.sa. We didn't pick it for being the easiest to clean alone, we picked it because the balance of capacity, price, and easy maintenance makes sense for most households, which is why it tops our [guide to the best dishwasher in Saudi Arabia](/en-sa/best/best-dishwasher/). ## When to stop and call a technician - Dishes still come out with residue after the filter and spray arms are cleaned. - A smell continues after the filter, door gasket, and drain area are cleaned. - Water still reaches one side of the rack unevenly after the spray-arm holes are cleared. Stop using the appliance and have a qualified technician inspect it before using it again. ## Bottom line Cleaning a dishwasher is a simple routine that takes only minutes weekly and monthly: a clean filter, spray arms with clear holes, and a regularly wiped door gasket, plus a monthly empty cycle with white vinegar or a dedicated cleaner to dissolve grease and limescale. If your dishwasher still smells after following these steps, read [why does a dishwasher smell and how do you fix it](/en-sa/blog/dishwasher-smell-causes-and-fix/) for the deeper causes. And if you're still deciding whether to buy a dishwasher at all, start with [is a dishwasher worth buying](/en-sa/blog/is-a-dishwasher-worth-it/), and if you've decided to buy, check [what size dishwasher you need](/en-sa/blog/what-size-dishwasher-do-you-need/) and our [how to choose a dishwasher](/en-sa/guides/how-to-choose-a-dishwasher/) guide. For every option and price in one place, browse our [dishwashers section](/en-sa/dishwashers/). ## Sources - Britannica, "Home appliance (dishwashers)", definition of the dishwasher and the design of its spray arms and filtration system: https://www.britannica.com/technology/home-appliance - USGS, "Hardness of water", background on limescale and how it forms from minerals in tap water: https://www.usgs.gov/water-science-school/science/hardness-water ## Where to buy - [Midea 12-Place-Setting Dishwasher (7 Programs)](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B0981Y5DMB/ref=nosim?tag=mizaanhomeksa-21&ascsubtag=how-to-clean-a-dishwasher_mirror) ## Continue reading - [The Best Dishwasher in Saudi Arabia (2026)](https://mizaanhome.com/en-sa/best/best-dishwasher/) - [Dishwasher prices in Saudi Arabia (2026): by type and tier](https://mizaanhome.com/en-sa/prices/dishwasher-prices/) - [How to choose a dishwasher in Saudi Arabia (2026)](https://mizaanhome.com/en-sa/guides/how-to-choose-a-dishwasher/) - [Best Budget Dishwasher in Saudi Arabia, Without the Risk](https://mizaanhome.com/en-sa/blog/best-budget-dishwasher/) - [Best Dishwasher Detergent Tablets: How to Pick Without Film](https://mizaanhome.com/en-sa/blog/best-dishwasher-detergent-tablets/) - [Which Dishwasher Is Best in Saudi Arabia: A Trusted Pick](https://mizaanhome.com/en-sa/blog/best-dishwasher-in-saudi-arabia/) - [Dishwashers](https://mizaanhome.com/en-sa/dishwashers/) --- > 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.