Can you use vinegar (or baking soda) to clean your dishwasher?

Yes — both white vinegar and baking soda are safe and effective ways to clean your dishwasher naturally. Used correctly, they can help remove grease, odours, and limescale without harsh chemicals.

How to clean your dishwasher with vinegar

Pour one cup of white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe bowl and place it on the top rack. Run a hot cycleA cycle that uses the highest temperature setting to help dissolve grease and limescale buildup. with no other dishes inside. The vinegar breaks down grease, soap residue, and mineral deposits, leaving the interior fresh and clean.

How to use baking soda for odour removal

After running the vinegar cycle, sprinkle one cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher and run a short, hot rinse. Baking soda neutralises odours and brightens the interior, making it ideal for tackling lingering smells.

Can you use both together?

Avoid mixing vinegar and baking soda at the same time in the same cycle. They react and cancel each other out, reducing cleaning effectiveness. Instead, use them in separate cycles — vinegar first, baking soda second.

How often should you do this?

Once a month is usually enough to keep your dishwasher clean and smelling fresh. More frequent cleaning may be needed if you live in a hard water areaA region with higher mineral content in the water, which can cause more limescale buildup in appliances..

Quick tip

Remove and rinse the filter before starting your cleaning routine. This prevents trapped food debris from circulating during the cycle.