To clean a dishwasher, make sure it is off and empty, pull out the bottom rack, lift out the filter and rinse it under warm water with a soft brush, clear the spray-arm holes, wipe the door seal, then run an empty hot cycle with a cleaner your manual allows. Bosch Canada says to clean the filter every few months; your manual sets your interval.
PCBy the Pixl Canada install team. Checked October 31, 2026. 6 min read.
- Seven steps from filter to seal
- Cleaning schedule by part
- Which cleaners to use and which to avoid
- What a new install costs with Pixl
- The filter and spray arms matter more than any cleaning product. Rinse them first.
- Your manual sets how often. Bosch Canada says every few months for the filter.
- Use one cleaner at a time and never mix bleach with vinegar or anything else.
- Water standing in the tub is a drain issue. Use the draining guides.
- If it is time for a new one, Pixl installs it for $180 with the inlet hose included.
How do you clean a dishwasher and its filter, step by step?
The filter and spray arms do most of the work, so they come first. Wear gloves, because broken glass and bits of bone can collect in the filter. Layouts differ by brand, so keep your manual open and follow it where it disagrees with this page.
- Stop and empty. Let any cycle finish, unload the racks and let hot water drain away.
- Take out the bottom rack. It slides out and gives you access to the floor of the tub. Bosch Canada starts here.
- Remove the filter. It sits at the bottom of the tub. On many models you turn the knob counterclockwise and lift it out; some have a cylinder and a flat screen that come apart.
- Rinse and brush it. Use warm water and a soft brush. Separate the screen from the filter and clean each piece. Skip wire brushes and scrubby pads, which can damage the mesh. Seat the filter back firmly.
- Clear the spray arms. Lift or twist each arm off, poke out the nozzle holes with a toothpick, rinse and refit. Blocked holes are a common reason dishes come out dirty.
- Wipe the door and seal. Use a damp cloth and a little mild soap on the rubber seal, the edge of the door and the inside lip. Check the drain area at the bottom of the tub for debris.
- Run an empty hot cycle. Use a cleaner made for dishwashers, following its label, or the method your manual lists. Run it with no dishes inside.
Does a deep clean not fix it?
If the unit leaks or is simply worn out, we install the new one. Fixed price from a photo.
How often should you clean each part?
Brands do not agree, which is why your manual wins. These are the intervals we could verify, plus a suggested rhythm marked as such.
| Part | How often | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Filter | Every few months, more often with heavy use or hard water | Bosch Canada says every few months; a home-repair guide suggests monthly for frequent use |
| Spray arms | Each time you clean the filter, or when dishes come out dirty | Suggested rhythm, not a manufacturer rule |
| Door seal and edge | Wipe whenever you see residue | Suggested rhythm, not a manufacturer rule |
| Empty cleaning cycle | As often as the cleaner label says | Follow the product label and your manual |
| Drain hose and trap | Only when water stands in the tub | See the draining guides below |
Which cleaner should you use?
Pick one product, follow its label and never stack two. If you are not sure, the safest default is the cleaner or method your manual names.
| Option | When it fits | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher cleaner or citric-acid product made for the job | Most models, since it is designed for the machine | Follow the label for amount and where to put it |
| White vinegar in a cup on the top rack | Models whose manual lists it | Never combine with bleach or another cleaner |
| Household bleach | Only if your manual says it is safe for your model | Never mix with vinegar, ammonia or any other cleaner. Ventilate |
| Dishwasher detergent alone | Does not replace cleaning the filter and arms | A normal wash will not remove a clogged filter |
Health Canada says: never mix any cleaning product with household bleach. Bleach with vinegar or with ammonia-based cleaners can release toxic gases, including chloramine. Open a window and call a poison centre if you are exposed and at risk.
What should you not do?
| Do not | Why |
|---|---|
| Mix bleach, vinegar or any other cleaners together | Toxic gas risk (Health Canada advisory) |
| Scrub the filter with a wire brush or steel wool | The mesh can tear and let debris through |
| Reach in barehanded | Broken glass and sharp bits collect in the filter |
| Refit the filter loosely or crooked | Debris reaches the pump and the unit can drain badly. Seat it firmly |
| Put dishes in during a cleaner cycle | Most labels say run it empty |
| Keep cleaning when water pools in the tub | That is a drain problem, not a dirt problem. See the unclogging guide |
What does each symptom point to?
| Symptom | Likely cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Bad smell | Food in the filter, arms or seal | Clean all three, then run a cleaning cycle |
| Gritty film on dishes | Clogged filter or blocked spray holes | Rinse the filter, poke out the arm nozzles |
| Cloudy glasses | Mineral deposits from hard water | Cleaner cycle your manual allows |
| Water stays in the bottom | Drain hose, filter or trap blocked | Read dishwasher not draining and how to unclog the drain |
| Leak at the door | Dirty seal or an overfilled load | Wipe the seal. If it keeps leaking, call the manufacturer or an appliance technician |
Buying a new one? Pixl installs it for $180
If cleaning does not fix it, or the dishwasher is simply done, Pixl Canada connects the new one to the water, drain and power that are already under the counter, levels it and runs a test cycle. Pixl installs the dishwasher you bought at any store. You pay after the job.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dishwasher installation, new water inlet hose included | $180 |
| 6 ft drain hose, only if yours is too short | $30 |
| Installation kit, if the new unit needs one | $30 |
| Store pickup and home delivery | $80 |
| Taking the old dishwasher away | Free quote |
Example, calculated from the posted prices: a swap with a new drain hose and installation kit is $180 + $30 + $30 = $240 before tax. Most swaps need neither. New water, drain or power lines go to a licensed trade first. See dishwasher replacement, dishwasher installation cost in Canada and the full price list.
Your dishwasher smells, leaves film or drains slowly and you want to try a safe cleaning first, or you are about to replace it.
The dishwasher leaks from underneath, trips the breaker or will not start. That is a repair job for the manufacturer or an appliance technician; Pixl’s service here is installation.
Ready for the new one?
Send the model and one photo of the opening for a fixed price. Pay after the job.
Cleaning a dishwasher: frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my dishwasher filter?
It depends on the brand, so check your manual first. Bosch Canada says every few months. Heavy daily use, hard water or loads with a lot of food scraps mean you should check it more often, for example monthly.
Can I clean my dishwasher with vinegar?
Only if your manual allows it. Some manufacturers list a white-vinegar rinse, others name a dishwasher cleaner or citric acid. Use one product at a time and never combine it with bleach.
Is it safe to use bleach in a dishwasher?
Only if your manual says so for your model. Never mix bleach with vinegar or any other cleaning product, because Health Canada warns the mixture can release toxic gases such as chloramine.
Where is the filter in my dishwasher?
Usually at the bottom of the tub, under the lower spray arm, once you lift out the bottom rack. On many models you turn it counterclockwise and lift it out. Some models differ, and some are built so the filter does not need removing, so your manual has the final word.
Why does my dishwasher smell bad?
Food trapped in the filter, spray arms or the door seal is the usual cause. Clean those three parts first, then run a cleaning cycle with a product your manual allows. If water stands in the bottom, it is a drain problem, so read the draining guide.
Why are my dishes cloudy or gritty after a wash?
Gritty film often means a clogged filter or blocked spray-arm holes. Cloudy glasses can come from mineral deposits in hard water. Clean the filter and arms first, then try a cleaner cycle.
Should I clean the dishwasher before replacing it?
Cleaning is worth a try if the problem is smell, film or poor cleaning. If it still fails, or leaks from underneath, compare the repair quote with the price of a new unit plus installation.
Does Pixl clean or repair dishwashers?
Pixl’s dishwasher service is installation: removing the old unit from its connections and fitting the new one for $180, new inlet hose included. For a repair, contact the manufacturer or an appliance technician.
Cleaned it and still not happy?
A new dishwasher installs for $180 with the inlet hose included. Send a photo and the model. You pay after the job.
Dishwasher installation service
Installation price list
Dishwasher not draining
Unclog a dishwasher drain
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Sources and method. Steps follow Bosch Canada’s filter instructions and a home-repair guide for spray arms; the bleach warning is from Health Canada’s advisory on mixing cleaning products. Intervals and cleaners differ by brand, so your manual overrides this page. Pixl prices are the posted prices on the appliance installation page, checked October 31, 2026. The total in the example is calculated by adding posted prices. Pixl installs appliances and does not sell them.
About Pixl Canada. Pixl Canada is an installation company based in Edmonton, Alberta, serving cities across Canada with TV mounting, security cameras, appliance installation and smart home setup. Call or text (587) 899-7495. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm.