Easiest Way To Clean A Dishwasher And Dishwasher Filter (With Vinegar)

[@AbbottsAtHome]

Read more dishwasher filter cleaning tips here: www.abbottsathome.com/clean-dishwasher-filter-steps-and-video/ See more of my Cleaning Videos here: kzbin.info/aero/PL63TJ6Vqtnfz6lVlg-JmIspR8aJflI3Aw

[@paulie2tanks]

I never knew about the lower filter until I watched this video. I used a cleaning pod last month and the upper filter came out OK. When I used this technique, I was pleasantly surprised that the lower filter wasn't too dirty after 2 years, but definitely needed to be cleaned. Glad I watched! Thanks, Paulie

[@AbbottsAtHome]

So, happy to help. I'm always happy to hear other people didn't know that was a filter too. :)

[@phillipbecker4393]

Thank you so much for this video. I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't clean that second filter. It was gross. I'm embarrassed. Now it's clean, and I set a reminder on my phone to clean it once a month. I will read my owner's manual from now on, and I won't just put it in a drawer and not read it.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

You're welcome! It's amazing how much crud accumulates in those filters.

[@phillipbecker4393]

@AbbottsAtHome yes I couldn't believe what was in there.

[@jeremiahrex]

OMG yes. I was having problems with bits of crud being left behind so went on a cleaning investigation. It's a royal pain on my dishwasher, requiring a Torx bit to remove the rinse arm before the second filter can be removed. Thanks for the vinegar tip. We'll be adding that to our maintenance schedule!

[@apio388]

I don’t ever comment on videos but OMG this video was so helpful, I couldn’t believe what I found down there and I never would have known! 😂🤢

[@AbbottsAtHome]

It's crazy!! Why do they make it so hard to tell that that part is removable. 🤔

[@patnelson4289]

excellent speed and clarity thank very much

[@AbbottsAtHome]

You're welcome! Thanks!

[@NeneNelson249]

JUST CLEANED MY DISHER FOR THE FIRST TIME, THOUGHT I WAS DONE UNTIL I SEEN YOUR VIDEO ON HAVEING TWO FILTER 🤦🏿SO I'M GOING TO CHECK. THANK YOU🙈🙉🙊😂

[@AbbottsAtHome]

You're welcome!

[@kimberdawn4424]

Just another tip.... Put vinegar in your rinse aid dispenser when you run your dishwasher. Everything will look and smell better. Also, when cleaning your dishwasher, make sure to wipe the door gasket and inside door edges down with vinegar to prevent mold. Then, I always clean the outer door, handle and control panel with a mild cleaner per manufacturer instructions.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

Hi! Vinegar is great for certain jobs and limited use in a dishwasher. Like when I use it to run an empty dishwasher. I’d be careful about using undiluted vinegar on gaskets and rubber parts. Check out this Bob Vila blog post to see why Vinegar shouldn’t be used on rubber: www.bobvila.com/slideshow/15-things-you-should-never-ever-clean-with-vinegar-73031

[@tonypulsone736]

Extremely helpful! I had only dumped in the vinegar in the past - will use your suggested cup method (and other steps) from now on.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

Happy to help!!

[@melanierodden129]

I never knew! I've subscribed to your site and look forward to cleaning methods that actually work!!

[@AbbottsAtHome]

Thanks 🙏

[@marciaoppong]

I admire how you are able to just touch things without feeling ick/disgust about it. I think I have contimination OCD or something. I have strong feelings of disgust even with gloves on. It’s a mental hurdle to overcome every time I have to clean almost everything. I do suppose it would be good for you to wear gloves when dealing with chemicals, though? (Thinking of your easy off video, although idk the ingredients of the fume-free… the original smells gross though and I would never use it without gloves, for safety). Anyway, thanks for the video! The thought of using my apartment dishwater (that others who lived here before me used) without cleaning the filter grosses me out, but the thought of cleaning the filter of a dishwasher that others used for God knows how long also grosses me out. Pray for me, gonna put this on my to do list. Thanks for reading my rant lol.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

It’s strange how different things gross different people out. I can handle toilets and things like that filter. But as soon as a stranger (human) has a bloody injury or is just sweating I’m NOT touching them. 😂

[@marciaoppong]

@@AbbottsAtHome 😂 true, people have different icks!

[@bryanringstrand5971]

Household vinegar really only helps with scale. Run with vinegar followed by sodium carbonate (washing soda). Put a cup in bottom of dishwasher and run a normal cycle. The carbonate will break down the fats and greases left behind. That’s mostly what you are seeing under the second filter.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

Good tip. Thanks!

[@lizharley5723]

great video and so easy to follow your instructions.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

Glad it was helpful!

[@blakelandry]

“Gunk” drinking game. I kid. Great video and I’ll be doing the same once I get some vinegar.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

If gunk doesn’t work I have some videos where I have to carefully and repeatedly say caulk a lot. People seem to enjoy that one. 😂😂

[@blakelandry]

@@AbbottsAtHome Now I have to watch more of your videos!

[@kathyjay185]

You saved my dishwasher. Thanks!!!!!

[@AbbottsAtHome]

You’re welcome!!!

[@joanne4120]

Holy Guacamole 😮!!! Yikes... that I agree was so gross...I'm so afraid to pull mine out...thank you so much!!!❤

[@AbbottsAtHome]

You're welcome!

[@hopeup2792]

Thanks so much… yes read the manual. I didn’t even know either of these came out and have only wipe cleaned the bottom. It was disgusting.

[@ThereseDeBellefeuille]

Thank you, for my part I do it each week!!😊

[@AbbottsAtHome]

You're welcome! 😊

[@susan-fd4kv]

Very informative. I was wondering if that was supposed to hold water cause mine was full. Lol

[@AbbottsAtHome]

Thanks!

[@AuntiBiBi_MiMi]

Sludge...thanks for the video, off to clean my washer and dryers...❤

[@AbbottsAtHome]

Good luck!

[@charlieamy2279]

Omg thank you this was SO helpful!!! Thank you for being thorough! ❤️

[@AbbottsAtHome]

You’re welcome!!

[@arieanderson8178]

I never knew thank you !!!!!!

[@AbbottsAtHome]

You're welcome!

[@HeidiSmith-mv2nr]

I rinse my dishes with a brush before they go in the dishwasher. I don’t think I will find my filter being that dirty but I will check just to make sure.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

How was it?? I think it was mostly built up soap residue that mildews in mine.

[@sablebeauty]

I’m so glad mine didn’t look that bad lol 😂

[@ablanccanvas]

I only wish I had your example to clean. 🥺 Alas, after trying this + trying that, the thing that finally got the sticky greasy stuff off, was soaking the outer cylinder filter in nearly boiling water… on the stove, in a bunch of dish soap + a lot of vinegar. When the ‘scum’ finally softened [and I use that word lightly] I got my toothbrush in there to get the remaining ‘gunk’ out. I am exhausted. 😑🤪

[@jessicagoodwin387]

I did not have white vinegar so I used ACV! I hope it doesn’t mess up anything but I was so horrified at the gunk I found that I could not wait another day when stores are open. OMG!

[@AbbottsAtHome]

Apple Cider Vinegar isn't as acidic as white vinegar. So, you're probably better off getting the white vinegar. Good luck!

[@jessicagoodwin387]

@@AbbottsAtHome I will use it next time! I was anxious to get it done that night. 😊😊😊

[@jessicaking6951]

I noticed that you can take the other flat filter off today LOL I'm in the same boat as you chickie

[@AbbottsAtHome]

I love how many people did the same thing. But, that just proves it was a bad design. 🤨😊

[@gailadams7690]

Great informative videos very helpful thank you. One thing, why aren't you wearing gloves?All that contamination can absorb through your skin into your body?

[@AbbottsAtHome]

Thanks!

[@annettechitwood9363]

I use vinegar to clean everything

[@jessicaking6951]

I actually use the hose to clean it off outside

[@FFSwhy]

The cylinder filter comes apart. It’s kinda wonky but the top comes out. That’s a mess to clean and requires toothpicks.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

Thanks! I’ll have to give it a try. 👍👍

[@tonimurray2865]

I’m not stupid but I don’t know where (or how to get to my filter(s?) !!

[@Joyful-213]

Thanks. I ran a 3/4 cup water 1/4 cup bleach. Second run.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

You're welcome!

[@JeffBattleFish]

It's faster to to just take those outside and rinse off with your garden hose nozzle.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

The hot temperature of the water in a dishwasher plus the acidity of the vinegar work together to kill bacteria, germs, breakdown oils and soap scum, etc. Normal water won't do any of that. And, hose water isn't safe for drinking, so you may be introducing other organisms doing that. I'd be careful. :)

[@JeffBattleFish]

@@AbbottsAtHome I ran the Vinegar hot water wash after hosing them off. To your point I didn't want to wash those off in the sink. Too much grease going down the drain that will clog the drain.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

Aw, completely misunderstood that. I get what you mean. Good idea.

[@PierreRanger-QC]

the arms are easy to remove and wash too.

[@stevenmoomey2115]

Vinegar will destroy your Dishwasher Pumps and Seals. Use a Commercially Available Dishwasher Cleaner or Citric Acid. I have saltwater aquariums and it is well known in the hobby the damage Vinegar can do. Also don’t use it in your Clothes Washer. Also clean your Filters when you refill your Rinse Aid, as it’s a good indicator of when too do this.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

If used properly and not too often, vinegar is safe for cleaning most dishwashers. My manual specifically recommends it. But, if people are pouring the vinegar into the dispenser or directly into the bottom of the machine, they'll eventually dry out and break gaskets, rubber parts, and seals.

[@watchman835]

I just use a electric tooth brush to clean the filter.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

I’ll have to try that. 👍

[@born_again_torinos]

And afterward leaves your breath minty fresh.

[@destinysdaughters965]

Cleaning vinegar is stronger than distilled vinegar

[@AbbottsAtHome]

You can definitely use cleaning vinegar. I would use less of it though, since it's more acidic than distilled vinegar.

[@msjohndoe8257]

This is legit making me queazy watching.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

I can’t imagine why. 😉😉

[@josephinemiller68]

That is not mildew. That is fat and mineral deposits.

[@AbbottsAtHome]

The pink goo is actually bacteria growing on all of the fats and food. 👍

[@RoseBud-fk4qg]

😅🤮🤢🤒🤢🤮

[@watchman835]

What a bad design.

[@bva5362]

I am squeamish… I would have 🤮. I would have had to hire someone to clean filter if it looked like that.

[@shellh.5193]

Girl, no gloves???? I can't!

[@Idonotwantayoutubehandle]

Clean both filters first or you are cleaning and washing your dishes with dirty water.

[@jeremiahrex]

OMG yes. I was having problems with bits of crud being left behind so went on a cleaning investigation. It's a royal pain on my dishwasher, requiring a Torx bit to remove the rinse arm before the second filter can be removed. Thanks for the vinegar tip. We'll be adding that to our maintenance schedule!

[@AbbottsAtHome]

What? Why would they make you go through all of that to remove a filter? Yikes. I hope the vinegar helps! Good luck. 👍