Routine and deep clean your Samsung dishwasher

Since your dishwasher's job is to clean, it's easy to forget it has its own cleaning needs. But proper cleaning is an important part of dishwasher maintenance. Not only does it improve performance, it reduces unnecessary repairs over the dishwasher's lifetime. Check out our tips for day-to-day and routine wipe-downs, as well as how to tackle a deep cleaning whenever your dishwasher needs it.

Finger pressing a button on the control panel of a Samsung dishwasher

Routine and deep clean your Samsung dishwasher

Caution

Do not use bleach in a dishwasher with a stainless steel interior (which most Samsung dishwashers have). This may damage or discolor the interior.

Routine clean

Hand using microfiber cloth to clean exterior of dishwasher

A routine clean should be done regularly and whenever you notice a buildup of debris, stains, or other marks on or inside your dishwasher. Here are some tips for cleaning the outside and inside of your dishwasher.

When performing a routine clean, gently wipe down the outside of the dishwasher and control panel with a soft, damp cloth to remove any stains.
If your dishwasher came with a cutlery pad, turn it over after each use to keep it clean. You can remove white spots and odors from the pad by running the Self Clean cycle. Make sure the dishwasher is empty during this cycle and do not add detergent.
To clean the interior, place an 8 ounce cup of distilled white vinegar upright in the lower basket, and then run a Sanitize cycle by selecting the Sanitize button. This cycle will reach 163°F during the final rinse cycle for optimal sanitization.

Note: The Sanitize feature is not available when running Delicate and Rinse Only cycles. The Sanitize light will blink until it reaches the necessary temperature. If it keeps blinking, the water temperature requirements for the feature were not met, and you should raise the temperature of the water supply.

For more information on using the Self Clean cycle, as well as other helpful cycles on your dishwasher, check out our guide for additional options and settings.

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Deep clean

Filter and Nozzle being soaked

Before deep cleaning your dishwasher, you may want to perform a routine cleaning first by following the suggestions in the previous section.

For a deep clean, remove the nozzles and filter. They should be soaked overnight in distilled white vinegar.
Distilled white vinegar will remove mineral deposits and grime that have accumulated or are causing an odor.

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Clean the filter

It is recommended that you clean the filter often. This will prevent clogged filter errors, such as 1E (which may look like IE or lE), indicating that water is not going through the filter.

The following steps cover the filter variants. If these steps do not match your model, refer to your user manual for the correct steps.

Models with a fine filter

Some dishwashers come with a fine filter that helps provide extra protection. You will need to remove the filter insert and the fine filter and clean them both.

Turn off the dishwasher, and then open the door.
Rotate the filter counterclockwise to unfasten it, and then detach the filter.
Remove the filter by lifting it upward.

Note: The fine filter is usually flat and includes a layer of mesh to help catch debris.
Remove dirt or other debris from the filter, and then rinse it in running water. You can use a toothbrush to gently scrub away debris.
Reassemble the filter in the reverse order, starting with the filter insert. Then, rotate it clockwise until it is locked.

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Models with a micro filter

Turn off the dishwasher, and then open the door. Remove the lower rack.
Turn the filter handle counterclockwise to unlock the filter cover, and then remove the filter cover. Next, remove the cylindrical micro filter from underneath.
Remove dirt and impurities from the micro filter and the filter cover. Rinse the micro filter and filter cover in running water. You can use a toothbrush to gently scrub away debris.
Thoroughly dry both items before proceeding to the next step.
Reinsert the filter and then reinsert the filter cover. Turn the filter handle clockwise to lock it.

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Models without a removable filter

Since the filter cannot be removed, thoroughly wipe down the dishwasher's interior everywhere that can be reached, including the drain area. Use a wet dishcloth to wipe away food particles or debris.
Next, fill the detergent dispenser with dish detergent, and then run the dishwasher while it is empty using a Normal cycle (or Quick cycle if it is available).
As long as the dishwasher is able to drain, this process will help clear away any remaining debris.

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Clean the nozzles

Illustration showing a close-up of a dishwasher spray arm being unscrewed with an arrow indicating a counterclockwise movement

Nozzles should be cleaned regularly to ensure they can rotate smoothly and spray water through each of their holes. If any of the nozzles' holes are clogged, this reduces cleaning performance and can leave food particles on dishes. See the following steps for an example of how to clean them. If these steps do not match your model, refer to your user manual for the correct steps.

Remove any racks that are blocking access to the nozzle.
Unfasten the nozzle cap by turning it counterclockwise, and then remove the upper nozzle. Some nozzles don't have a nozzle cap and can be pulled off.
Clean the nozzle thoroughly using a small brush (such as a dishwashing brush or an old toothbrush). Allow the nozzle to soak overnight in distilled white vinegar, and then rinse it by running water through the nozzle. Make sure water can easily pass through all of the nozzle's holes.
Reinsert the nozzle, and then fasten the nozzle cap (if it has one) by turning the cap clockwise. Afterwards, check whether the nozzle is attached correctly by rotating it.

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Clean the drain pump

Illustration showing the drain pump with a blue arrow indicating the upward direction

On some dishwasher models, the drain pump can be reached when the drain filter is removed. If debris is caught in the drain pump, it can cause the dishwasher to make a noise or not drain properly.

It is rare that you need to access the drain pump, but if it is accessible, the user manual for your dishwasher includes instructions for cleaning it.