Many customers email to ask if Smellywasher Cleaner can be used to clean a dishwasher. I email back and explain that it will but it wouldn’t be cost effective.

The best way to clean both a plastic and stainless steel tub dishwasher is to set it for a long, hot cycle such as “pots & pans” or “baked on goods”.  ALLOW THE UNIT TO RUN FOR 15 MINUTES. Open the door and dash in 2 cups of WHITE vinegar. Shut the door and allow the unit to complete it’s cycle.

The reason for running it for 15 minutes is to get it through it’s pre-wash cycle as you’d rather have the vinegar in for the 1 to 1 1/2 hour main wash than the shorter pre-wash cycle. 15 minutes covers pre-wash times for all makes and models of dishwashers.

If you have food stains (especially from tomato based foods) on plastic bowls or dishes - this procedure may remove those stains if you put them in the unit while doing the vinegar wash.