How to Clean KitchenAid Dishwasher? Quick DIY

Table of Contents

Last Updated on December 5, 2022

No one would like to spend the whole day cleaning the dishes when it can be done within minutes. KitchenAid dishwasher can do all dishes quickly without requiring much labor. However, with swift functioning and excellent performance, there comes a stage when your KitchenAid dishwasher no longer runs smoothly.

It can get dirty over time due to excessive debris deposition and high dirt build-up if left unchecked for days. At this stage, cleaning the KitchenAid dishwasher is necessary, and you must do it in the right direction.

This post comprises extensive information to assist if you do not know how to clean a KitchenAid dishwasher. Follow the guide and tips to troubleshoot your appliance.

How to Clean KitchenAid Dishwasher: Instructional Guide

KitchenAid is a quite popular brand that is well-known for manufacturing dishwashers. These dishwashers work efficiently to clean the kitchen mess created due to dirty dishes, cups, bowls, and glass.

While cleaning the dishes, if you do not pay attention to the dishwasher’s condition, it will start giving bad performance and won’t even clean properly. That’s why taking care of your dishwasher must be your priority to keep things on track.

The following steps are involved in

Items Required for Cleaning

You must have the following tools to clean the KitchenAid dishwasher:

Cleaning The Interior of KitchenAid Dishwasher

After collecting the supplies pay attention to the interior of the dishwasher that must be cleaned first. Its cleaning can be done in several ways, including manually, where you can take a soft cloth and wipe down the dishwasher’s walls.

Adding white vinegar or baking soda also proves beneficial to give better cleaning results. Instead of cloth, it is preferable to use a microfiber cloth that will help clean easily without scratching the interior walls.

The microfiber cloth can deeply remove the tough stains, dried debris, and food pieces stuck on the wall. You must also clean the control panel and gasket of your KitchenAid dishwasher.

To clean the dishwasher, you can also try the automatic method, which involves the following procedure:

Make a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar inside a bowl.
Add some baking soda to the bottom surface close to the drain.
Also, add baking soda to the detergent tray.
Now keep the bowl of water and vinegar inside the machine.
Turn on the warm cycle of the dishwasher.
After some rounds, take out the vinegar and wash the interior thoroughly.
If an extra amount of baking soda is present, wipe it out.

This is also an easy cleaning method, but we would like to recommend relying on the manual way.

Check the Filter

Sometimes the problem exists in the filter, and it must be cleaned. If a self-cleaning mode is already present in your KitchenAid dishwasher, you shouldn’t worry about finding various cleaning methods. Just turn on that mode, and everything will get clean in minutes. However, replace it with a new one if there is some serious issue.

Here is how you can find out and then clean the KitchenAid dishwasher’s filter:

Locate the filter which may be present beneath the dishwasher and unlock it from the position.
Pick the filter out of the dishwasher and wash it carefully.
Use a soft-bristled brush to clean the dirt and debris present on the filter.
Wash the filter with hot water for better cleaning.
Put the filter back to its location and turn on the dishwasher cycle to test if everything is in its place.

Note: Not all KitchenAid dishwashers have similar filters. So, make sure to check the manual to find out the type of your filter.

Using Affresh Tablets to Clean Dishwasher

Usually, when we use extra detergents in the dishwasher for cleaning, the piles of detergent start collecting at the base. It is important to remove such depositions to avoid any further damage to the machine.

You can use Affresh tablets for this purpose that are enough to clean once a month. These tablets act as cleaners and work simply. Just add one tablet at a time to the detergent tray and run the cleaning cycle. Along with detergent, the Affresh tablet will clean the inside deeply.

Unclog The Drain

It is necessary to unclog the dishwasher drain for proper maintenance. KitchenAid dishwashers’ specialty is to prevent the clogging of drains by accumulating leftover foods. Some filters in the KitchenAid dishwasher restrict the passage of wastes to the drain by collecting them. It is essential to clean those filters to avoid clogging.

These steps can help to unclog the drain.

Make the cleaning solution by mixing vinegar and baking soda.
Add the solution to the drain.
Wait for 20 to 30 minutes to let the solution soak on the drain.
Turn on the wash cycle to deliver hot water.
After cleaning, have a look at the drain to check if it is cleaned now.

If objects are still not removed out of the drain, take a small pin to push down the debris.

Cleaning The External Surface of KitchenAid Dishwasher

To keep your KitchenAid dishwasher working in good condition, you must also maintain the cleanliness of the exterior. If there are piles of dust present on the outside of your dishwasher and at the door, that dust can get into the interior to create more mess.

It is not rocket science to clean the dishwasher door but using the accurate method is significant. You can use soap and a warm cloth for this task. Just wipe the exterior and all surrounding areas where you find any dirt.

We recommend avoiding using an abrasive material to clean the exterior, as some KitchenAid models are stainless steel. The abrasive objects can scratch the outer surface and make your dishwasher lose its original shine.

Unblock Spray Arms

Another important component that requires proper cleaning is the spray arm, which plays a role in spraying water over the plates during the dishwasher cycle. If the spray arms are damaged or clogged, the dishwasher won’t be able to complete the tasks.

Luckily the spray arms of KitchenAid dishwashers are durable. However, if after some time they get blocked, you must remove the clogging object to continue the smooth running of your dishwasher.

You can use a fork, toothpick, or brush to clean the spray arms. Turning on the wash cycle is also good to flush all the restricting materials in any hole.

Final Thoughts

The knowledge of cleaning a KitchenAid dishwasher can prove beneficial in maintaining the cleanliness of your kitchen and its surroundings.

We hope this guide will help you do all the tasks perfectly without facing any difficulty.