Even though your dishwasher's job is to clean, it too needs a once-over periodically. Over time, food residues gunk up the drain and spray arms. The clogs reduce the amount of water circulating during the wash and rinse cycles and dishes can end up with a film of baked-on food and soap.

How often should you clean your dishwasher?

Clean your dishwasher monthly to prevent a buildup of germs and maintain the efficiency of the machine — you want to make sure your dishes are clean!

Can I run the dishwasher empty to clean it?

Once it's time, run a cycle on the hottest and longest cycle with no dishes or detergent. This will clean out old food particles to keep your dishwasher smelling fresh. ... Tip: Homeowners should also run an empty load after hooking up a new dishwasher. This will ensure that all the parts and pipes are correctly connected.