How to Clean Dishwasher with Bleach

When to Use Bleach to Clean a Dishwasher

Bleach is the most powerful disinfectant available for dishwasher cleaning — it kills mold, mildew, bacteria, and eliminates the dark staining they cause. It's particularly effective when your dishwasher has visible black or pink mold growth, persistent musty odors that other cleaning methods haven't resolved, or significant bacterial contamination. However, bleach must be used carefully and is not appropriate for all dishwashers.

Critical Warning: Never Use Bleach in a Stainless Steel Dishwasher

This is the most important rule in this guide. Bleach reacts with stainless steel and causes permanent pitting, corrosion, and discoloration. If your dishwasher has a stainless steel interior tub, do not use bleach. Use white vinegar, baking soda, or Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner tablets instead.

Bleach is only safe for dishwashers with a plastic interior tub. Check your dishwasher's interior — if it's shiny silver metal, it's stainless steel. If it's white or gray plastic, bleach is safe to use.

What You'll Need

• Household bleach (regular, unscented)
• Rubber gloves
• Dishwasher-safe cup or bowl
• Soft cloth
• Good ventilation

Use standard household bleach — unscented is preferable. Always wear rubber gloves when handling bleach. Ensure good kitchen ventilation — open windows and run the range hood fan.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Dishwasher with Bleach

Step 1: Confirm Your Dishwasher Has a Plastic Interior

Look inside your dishwasher. If the tub walls are white or gray plastic, proceed. If they are shiny silver stainless steel, stop and use an alternative method.

Step 2: Empty the Dishwasher

Remove all dishes, racks, and utensil holders. The dishwasher must be completely empty.

Step 3: Clean the Filter First

Remove and clean the dishwasher filter before running a bleach cycle. A clogged filter prevents the cleaning solution from circulating properly. Rinse the filter under warm water, scrub with a soft brush, and reinstall.

Step 4: Add Bleach to the Bottom of the Tub

Pour ½ cup of regular household bleach directly into the bottom of the dishwasher tub. Do not put bleach in the detergent dispenser.

Step 5: Run a Full Hot Cycle

Run the dishwasher on a full hot water cycle. The bleach will circulate through the entire machine — the spray arms, interior walls, drain, and pump — killing mold, mildew, and bacteria throughout the system.

Step 6: Run a Rinse Cycle

After the bleach cycle completes, run an additional rinse cycle with plain water to flush out all bleach residue.

Step 7: Wipe Down the Door and Gasket

After the cycles complete, wipe the door interior and gasket with a damp cloth. If there was mold in the gasket folds, use a toothbrush dipped in a diluted bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per cup of water) to scrub the folds. Rinse thoroughly.

Never Mix Bleach With These Products

• Vinegar: Produces chlorine gas — toxic and dangerous.
• Ammonia-based cleaners: Produces toxic chloramine gas.
• Other cleaning products: When in doubt, don't mix. Use bleach alone.

How Often Should You Use Bleach in the Dishwasher?

Use bleach only when you see visible mold or mildew, there's a persistent musty smell that baking soda and vinegar haven't resolved, or the dishwasher has been unused for an extended period. For routine monthly cleaning, use baking soda or Affresh tablets instead.

Alternatives to Bleach for Stainless Steel Dishwashers

• White vinegar cycle: Kills most bacteria and dissolves mineral deposits.
• Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner tablets: Safe for stainless steel, specifically formulated for dishwashers.
• Baking soda cycle: Deodorizes and gently cleans without corrosion risk.

Final Thoughts

Bleach is a powerful tool for eliminating mold and bacteria in plastic-tub dishwashers — but it must never be used in stainless steel machines. For routine maintenance, gentler methods are preferable. Save bleach for when you need serious disinfection power.