Guide · Home care
Dishwasher Care
A friendly, practical guide to loading, cleaning and caring for a dishwasher, from filters and detergent to leaks, odors and saving energy.
Where to start
- Dishwasher leaking?
Stop the cycle. See if the dishwasher is leaking.
- Musty smell or cloudy glasses?
- Want simple habits for clean dishes?
Work through the dishwasher care checklist.
The short version
A dishwasher only asks for a little care: a few simple habits keep dishes clean and the kitchen floor dry.
Scrape food instead of rinsing, load so water reaches every dish, and run full loads to save water and energy.
Clean the filter regularly, wipe the door seal, and never use dish soap or laundry detergent in a dishwasher.
If it leaks, stop the cycle, turn off the water valve if it is safe, and share it in writing right away.
Who repairs a dishwasher usually depends on the lease and local rules, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at both. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Scrape, don’t rinse
Scrape food into the trash. Most modern dishwashers clean better without a pre-rinse.
- 2Clean the filter
A clean filter means clean dishes, good drainage and fewer odors.
- 3Run full loads
Full loads save water and energy, and the dishes still come out clean.
- 4Watch for water
Share any drip, puddle or soft floor near the dishwasher right away, in writing.
Dishwasher care checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Clean dishes and a dry kitchen floor.
If the dishwasher is leaking
- Take a breath. Stop the cycle and, if it’s safe, turn off the dishwasher’s water valve under the sink.
- Stay away from water near outlets or cords, and turn off power at the breaker if water is near electricity.
- Soak up the water with towels, and look under the sink and around the base for the source.
- Take photos and a short video.
- Share it right away, in writing.
Most dishwasher leaks are small and easy to stop. You did exactly the right thing.
Odors, cloudy glasses and standing water
- A musty smell usually comes from a dirty filter or food trapped near the drain. Cleaning the filter and wiping the door seal often clears it right up.
- Cloudy glasses often come from hard water. A rinse aid, used as the maker suggests, can help glasses dry clear.
- A little water near the filter can be normal, but standing water after a cycle may mean a clogged filter or drain. Share it in writing.
Guides that go well with this one
Things this guide mentions
This guide mentions detergent made for dishwashers, a rinse aid for cloudy glasses, and a small water leak sensor under the sink to catch hidden leaks early. These are examples only. Please pick what fits your home and follow the maker’s instructions.
Like it on paper?
The printable checklist for this guide is fillable, with a screen version and an ink saver print version. Keep it on your phone or pin it to the fridge.
How much do you remember?
4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.
Go deeper with The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook
Simple, step by step checklists you can write in, one topic at a time, to help any home stay warm, safe and dry through every season.
Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
Download the PDFTake it with you
- Bunklow Home Guide 049: Dishwasher Removable Micro-Mesh Filter Detailing and Spray Arm UncloggingA printable guide to dishwasher removable micro-mesh filter detailing and spray arm unclogging, in plain steps.See it in the shop
- Bunklow Home Guide 039: Dishwasher Air Gap Fixtures, High-Drain Loops, and Discharge LinesA printable Bunklow guide to dishwasher air gap fixtures, high-drain loops, and discharge lines: plain steps, how often to check, and when to call a pro.See it in the shop
- Kitchen and Laundry Checklist PackThe Kitchen and Laundry checklists in one pack, fillable on screen or printable.See it in the shop
More guides
This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal or appliance repair advice. Please follow your owner’s manual and call a qualified technician for repairs. Bunklow does not inspect or repair appliances.