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Have you ever opened a dishwasher and sprayed funky must or milky streaks on your fresh (or so you thought) dishes? You are not unique, and your dishwasher is not broken. It only requires some TLC. The positive news? There is no need to use aggressive chemicals and costly cleaners.  

Learning how to clean a dishwasher with baking soda is the easiest, most budget-friendly way to bring back that sparkle—and fresh scent! Whether your dishes come out dull or your machine smells like wet dog, we’ve got the step-by-step solution. Grab a box of baking soda, and let’s bring your dishwasher back to life.

Why Baking Soda Works Wonders in Your Dishwasher

There is one natural cleaner that can be called the MVP in your kitchen, and it is baking soda. Why? It does something more than occupy your fridge and absorb the smells. Baking soda is a transformation when it comes to your dishwasher. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a soft abrasive; this implies that it is able to rinse off the dirt without destroying your appliance.

It’s also a natural deodoriser, absorbing stubborn odours instead of just masking them. When used the right way, it breaks down grease, softens mineral deposits, and refreshes your dishwasher—all without chemicals or weird fumes.

Many homeowners swear by pairing it with vinegar, but timing is key. You don’t want to mix them at once (they cancel each other out). Instead, using them in separate cleaning cycles gives you a powerful one-two punch: vinegar for breaking down gunk, and baking soda for deodorising and freshening. Your dishwasher will thank you.

Need a complete breakdown? Check out our guide on how to clean inside of a dishwasher the right way.

Signs Your Dishwasher Desperately Needs a Deep Clean

Do you believe your dishwasher is cleaning itself with every use of the dishwasher? We wish. What happens over time is that food scraps, soap scum and hard water minerals build up on the inside of a dishwasher, even in places you can not see.

Here are some of the key indications that it calls out to be given a thorough cleaning:

Lingering odor

That funky, sour smell when you open the door? That’s bacteria and mildew partying in your machine.

Cloudy dishes or glasses

Even after a cycle, residue can remain if the jets and filters are clogged.

Water is sitting at the bottom

Clogged filters or drain issues can leave standing water behind.

Visible grime or mould

Check the door gasket, filter area, and spray arms for black gunk or slimy buildup.

When you start seeing these, it is high time that you learn how to clean a dishwasher with baking soda, and you need to clean your appliance.

Seeing these? Then it’s time you learned how to clean a smelly dishwasher—and fast.

Safety and Prep Steps Before You Start Cleaning

The actual cleaning process should include going through a preparation process. This guarantees that you are safe and that your dishwasher will not be left in worse condition than it was already. First of all:

• Unclog the dishwasher or turn off the circuit breaker before you clean deep around electrical parts (most of the time, you might not want to do it anyway).
• Empty the machine—no dishes, no utensils—just a blank slate.
• Remove the bottom rack to access the drain and filter.
• Must wear gloves if your skin is sensitive or if you are planning to do some harsh scrubbing.
• Check the material: If your dishwasher has a stainless steel interior, do not use bleach during any part of your cleaning routine—stick with baking soda and vinegar.
• Stainless steel interior? Avoid bleach. Stick with safe natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda.

Doing this prep helps make sure your cleaning process is safe, effective, and damage-free. Now that you’re ready, it’s time to move on to the part you came for: the actual cleaning with baking soda.

How to Clean a Dishwasher with Baking Soda – Step-by-Step

Let’s face it—nobody wants to dedicate their Saturday and Sunday to cleaning kitchen appliances. The bad news is that your dishwasher needs to be cleaned, but the good news is that it’s easy to clean a dishwasher with baking soda and kind of fun to do. No tablets or poison sprays are needed, just a box of baking soda and a dash of vinegar (optional) plus a few minutes of your time.

Makes a stress-free option; this is how to do it.

Step 1: Empty It Out and Show That Filter Some Love

First, pull everything out—racks, utensils, any rogue spoon stuck in the bottom. Then, take a look at the filter.

It’s that little round or rectangular piece near the base. Twist it out gently (it’s easier than it looks).

Now rinse it under hot water. You’ll probably see gross gunk—don’t panic. Utilise an old toothbrush and some dish soap to scrub it gently.

If it smells funky, let it soak for 10–15 minutes. Done. Set it aside to dry.

Step 2: Wipe What You Can See (and What You Can’t)

Wipe the inside with a clammy cloth, especially the edges of the doors, where creep the corners and the rubber moulding where food prospers. Want your child to go the extra mile? Prepare a bit of baking soda paste by combining a bit of baking soda with water and scrubbing in any crusty areas gently. Also, stick out gunk in the holes of the spray arms using a toothpick or a pin. Super satisfying.

Step 3: Run a Hot Vinegar Cycle (Optional but Magical)

Now, put a dishwasher-safe cup or bowl in there and fill it with white vinegar. Put it on the top rack, close up the dish rack and turn the dishwasher to the hottest cycle. This stage dissolves grease, soap residue and fog from the newspaper. It’s like giving your dishwasher a facelift. The only thing to be cautious about using is that you don’t use vinegar and baking soda at the same time… it works out to be null.

Step 4: Sprinkle That Baking Soda Magic

Once the vinegar cycle finishes (and things have cooled a bit), it’s baking soda’s time to shine.

Sprinkle a cupful of baking soda all across the bottom of the dishwasher–you do not have to measure it–just approximate.

Then run a short cycle with hot water—no detergent, no dishes—just baking soda doing its thing.

Your dishwasher will come out smelling fresh, looking clean, and feeling brand new.

Step 5: Wipe It Down and Let It Breathe

Once the cycle ends, crack open the door and let the inside dry out. Wipe any leftover moisture with a towel, especially around the edges and seals.

Pro tip? Open the door a bit and wait a few hours or longer. It also aids in discouraging the occurrence of that so-called damp sock smell. That’s it! Following the steps on how to clean a dishwasher with baking soda, you have acquired the knowledge of how to clean a dishwasher like a professional without amounting to the looting of your bank account and a vicious dishwashing cleaner. Your machine (not to mention your dishes) will be grateful every time you use it.

How to Prevent Odours and Buildup After Cleaning

Now that your dishwasher is squeaky clean, you want to keep it that way. One cleaning is terrific, but to keep your machine odour-free and in top condition, a couple of simple habits are all you need.

Here are the steps to keep your dishwasher fresh:

Wipe the door and seal weekly

That rubber gasket around the door traps food bits and moisture—give it a quick wipe with a damp cloth or vinegar once a week.

Rinse or scrape dishes before loading.

No need to pre-wash, but scrape off leftover spaghetti or rice. Large chunks clog the filter and build up quickly.

Clean the filter regularly

Aim for once a month. A 5-minute rinse keeps gunk and smells away.

Run a monthly cleaning cycle.

Whether it’s vinegar one month and baking soda the next, keeping a schedule is key. This is precisely how to clean a dishwasher with baking soda consistently for long-term freshness.

Leave the door cracked open.

Once you are done with a cycle, remember to leave the door partially open to stay open for several hours. The moisture then gets out, and so helps avoid any mold and that stink. If you stick to these habits, then you will not need a deep clean most of the time.

Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even though the process is simple, there are a few things people tend to overlook. Let’s save you the hassle with these quick dos and don’ts:

What to Do:

• Use Vinegar, and Baking Soda, but don’t use them at the same time. Do them in rounds for better results.
• Clean the spray arms and filter on a regular basis. Food will like to lodge there.
• Use hot water cycles when cleaning. It will help break down more buildup faster.

What Not to Do:

• Do not use bleach, particularly if your dishwasher is made of stainless steel. It can corrode it: vinegar and bleach.
• Do not combine. It emits toxic fumes. Do not think it is a self-cleaning toilet.
• Your dishwasher requires servicing, just as your fridge or stove.

Learning how to clean a dishwasher with baking soda means you also learn how to care for it smartly. Small steps make a huge difference. Pro tip: KitchenAid dishwashers benefit from regular maintenance, too, especially to reduce foggy buildup.

The Bottom Line

Cleaning your dishwasher does not need to be complicated or costly. You now see how to clean a dishwasher with baking soda, and best of all, you have a natural, simple technique which will help you keep away odours and leave your dishes clean and pretty.

Simply refreshing your machine with a monthly sweep will change everything. Are you up for the idea of renewing your kitchen routine? It is time to pull out your pack of baking soda and show your dishwasher some love starting now. Care to read more information about essential lifestyle changes? Pass it on to a friend, or pin the infographic to remember it later!

Related: How to Clean Inside of Dishwasher Fast and Naturally (No Smell!)

FAQs

Sources

https://www.thespruce.com/clean-dishwasher-with-vinegar-6834347

https://homegeargeek.com/how-to-clean-my-dishwasher-with-baking-soda-and-vinegar

https://www.chefsresource.com/how-to-clean-dishwasher-with-baking-soda-and-vinegar

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/house-one/21225351/deep-clean-your-dishwasher

https://theproperkitchen.com/how-do-i-clean-my-dishwasher-with-vinegar-and-baking-soda