Do you clean your dishwasher every month? Here’s why you should and 3 steps to make it sparkle

Cleaning the appliance that cleans your dishes may seem unnecessary, but regular maintenance is actually very important to keep your dishwasher running at its max efficiency.

Luckily, there’s an easy way to get rid of all that nasty built up food debris, grease and soap scum.

Just gather some white vinegar, baking soda and a dishwasher-safe container — and follow these three steps to make your dishwasher sparkle again!

How to clean your dishwasher in 3 easy steps

Step 1: Remove the bottom rack for easy access to the dishwasher drain. Get rid of any gunk or food that may be caught inside.

Step 2: Fill a dishwasher-safe container with a cup of vinegar and place it on the upper rack. Run the dishwasher through a hot water cycle.

Other than the container with vinegar, keep the dishwasher empty!

Step 3: Sprinkle about a cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher and run it through a short cycle using hot water.

End result? A bright, clean dishwasher that smells a lot better than it did before! Repeat this process every month to keep your appliance in tip-top condition.

Here are 36 cleaning hacks you’ll wish you’d known sooner!