Tired of dishes emerging dirty and water pooling where it shouldn’t? Learn how to clean GE dishwasher and restore it to its glory!

Pro-Level GE Dishwasher Cleaning Guide

Sick of your GE dishwasher showing dirty dishes, nasty smells, and drainage issues? This guide is your secret weapon to a sparkling, clean, fresh-smelling GE dishwasher. Forget harsh chemicals and expensive fixes. We’ll banish grime with simple hacks like vinegar & baking soda and master the art of cleaning filters, spray arms, and seals to keep things flowing smoothly. ✨ Ready to transform your dishwasher? Let’s go!

How to Clean GE Dishwasher Interior

Cleaning the interior of your GE dishwasher isn’t a complex task. You just need some simple tools and materials and this guide, and you’re ready to go. So, here is how you go about it.

Wipe Door and Control Buttons

Your GE dishwasher’s door and control buttons can get dirty from fingerprints, spills, and splashes. Here is how to wipe them clean:

Use a damp cloth, sponge, mild detergent, or dish soap to wipe the door and control buttons gently.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners because they can damage your dishwasher’s surface.
Pay special attention to the edges and corners of the door and the control buttons where dirt can accumulate.
Dry the door and the control buttons with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Clean the Filter

The location of the filter is under the spray arm at the bottom of your GE dishwasher. The work of the filter is to trap food particles and grease that may otherwise recirculate in the wash water. So, here is how to clean the filter:

How Do I Clean My GE Dishwasher Filter?

Depending on your model, your GE dishwasher may have a removable or self-cleaning filter. If your model has a removable filter, you can follow these steps to clean it:

Remove the bottom rack of your dishwasher
You’ll find the filter under the spray arm; twist it counterclockwise to unlock it
Lift the filter assembly and separate it into two parts: the fine filter and the ultra-fine filter.

If your model has a self-cleaning filter, you don’t need to clean it manually. These types automatically flush out debris during each wash cycle.

How to Clean the Fine GE Dishwasher Filter

The fine filter is the mesh plate at the bottom of your dishwasher. You need to take it out and wash it monthly. Here’s how:

First, pull out the bottom rack and set it aside.
Next, take out the ultra-fine filter. It’s the round thing under the spray arm. Just twist it to the left and lift it.
Then, grab the fine filter and pull it out, too. You’ll see two posts at the back that hold it in place. Turn them to the left, and they’ll come off.
Now, rinse the fine filter with soap and some warm water. Don’t use anything rough to scrub it, like a scouring pad or a brush. Instead, use a soft brush or sponge if there are some dirt or hard water stains that won’t come off easily.
When it’s nice and clean, put it back where it belongs. Make sure you lock the two posts in place by turning them to the right.

How to Clean the Ultra-Fine Filter

The ultra-fine filter is the round thing under the spray arm at the bottom of your dishwasher. It catches any tiny bits of food or grease left in the water. You must clean it every 2 weeks to keep your dishwasher running smoothly. Here’s how:

First, pull out the bottom rack
Next, twist the ultra-fine filter to the left and lift it. It should come off easily.
Then, rinse it with some warm water and soap. Use a sponge to wipe off any dirt or particles stuck on it. Avoid using a scouring pad or a brush. You might damage it and make it less effective.
When it’s nice and clean, put it back where it belongs. Twist it to the right until it clicks. An arrow on the fine filter shows you how to align it correctly.

Clean Spray Arms

The spray arms are at the bottom, middle, and top of your GE dishwasher and help spray water and detergent onto your dishes. Here is how to clean the spray arms:

Remove the racks of your dishwasher
Locate the spray arms at different dishwasher levels and gently pull them out.
Check each spray arm for any holes that food particles or mineral deposits may block, and use a toothpick or a paper clip to clear them out.
Rinse each spray arm under running water and gently shake it to remove excess water.
Replace each spray arm into its position and make sure it spins freely.

Clean Rubber Seals

The rubber seals around the door and the tub of your GE dishwasher help prevent water leakage. Here is how to clean the rubber seals:

Use a damp cloth or sponge and a mild detergent or dish soap to wipe the rubber seals gently.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring pads, as they can damage or wear out the rubber seals.
Pay special attention to cracks or crevices where dirt or mold can grow.
Dry the rubber seals with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Scrub Additional Parts

Some additional parts of your GE dishwasher that may need some scrubbing are the detergent dispenser, the rinse aid dispenser, the silverware basket, and the utensil holder. Here is how to scrub these parts:

Use a damp cloth or sponge and a mild detergent or dish soap to scrub these parts gently.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring pads as they damage these parts.
Rinse these parts with clean water and dry them with a soft cloth or paper towel.

How to Clean a GE Dishwasher with Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural and inexpensive way to clean and disinfect your GE dishwasher. Vinegar can help remove hard water deposits, grease, and odors from your dishwasher, making it run more efficiently and leaving your dishes sparkling clean. Here are some tips on how to clean a GE dishwasher with vinegar and when is the right time to do it.

You will need the following:

White vinegar
A dishwasher-safe cup or bowl
Baking soda (optional)

7 Steps to Clean Your GE Dishwasher With Vinegar

Here are the steps to follow when cleaning your GE dishwasher with vinegar:

Empty the dishwasher and remove any food scraps or debris from the bottom. Wipe the bottom clean with a cloth. If any jets in the spray arms have blockage, carefully use a paper clip or tweezer to remove the debris.
Check your owner’s manual to see if your model has a removable filter. If so, follow these instructions to clean the filter.
Pour one cup of white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe cup or bowl and place it on the top rack of the dishwasher. The vinegar will help disinfect and deodorize your dishwasher as it runs.
Sprinkle one cup of baking soda into the bottom of the dishwasher if you want to boost the cleaning power of the vinegar and freshen up the appliance. Baking soda will react with vinegar to produce carbon dioxide, which will help scrub away any dirt or grime.
Start a hot-water cycle on your dishwasher and let it run. If your model has them, you can use the “Clean” or “Sanitize” cycles. These cycles will raise the water temperature and sanitize your dishes and dishwasher.
Stop the cycle mid-way and let the vinegar sit for 20 minutes. It will allow the vinegar to soak into any stubborn stains or deposits.
Resume the cycle and let it finish. Then, open the dishwasher door and wipe down the inside of the dishwasher with a dry cloth.

When to Clean a GE Dishwasher with Vinegar

Cleaning any dishwasher, whether GE or Whirlpool, with vinegar, should be done once a month to keep it in good condition and prevent any problems. However, you may need to clean it more often if you notice any of the following signs:

Your dishes need to come out clean or have spots or residue.
Your dishwasher smells bad or has mold or mildew growth.
Your dishwasher makes loud or unusual noises or leaks water.
Your dishwasher does not drain properly or has standing water in it.

How to Prevent Clogging in Your GE Dishwasher

One of the main causes of clogging in your dishwasher is food particles that get stuck in the drain or filter. To prevent this, you should do the following:

Scrape your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher, but do not rinse them. Rinsing your dishes may cause the dishwasher sensor to think that they are cleaner than they are and result in a less effective wash cycle.
Load your dishes properly so they do not block the spray arms or the detergent dispenser.
Check and clean the filter regularly, especially if you notice any food debris or grease.
Run hot water at the sink before starting the dishwasher to ensure the water temperature is high enough for optimal cleaning.

How to Clean a GE Dishwasher Drain

If your GE does not drain properly or has standing water, you may need to clean the dishwasher drain. To do this, you will need the following:

A screwdriver
A plunger
A snake or wire hanger
A bucket

9 Steps to Clean Your Dishwasher Drain

Here are the 9 steps to follow when cleaning your dishwasher drain:

Turn off the power and water supply to your dishwasher. You can do this by unplugging it from the wall outlet and turning off the water valve under the sink.
Remove the bottom rack of your dishwasher and set it aside.
Locate the drain hose at the back of your dishwasher and disconnect it from the sink drain or garbage disposal unit. You may need to use a screwdriver to loosen any clamps or fittings.
Place a bucket under the drain hose and let any water drain.
Use a plunger to pump on the drain hose several times to dislodge clogs.
If that does not work, use a snake or wire hanger to push through any blockages in the drain hose. Be careful not to damage or puncture the hose.
Reconnect the drain hose and secure it with clamps or fittings.
Check and clean the air gap if your model has one. The air gap is a small device that prevents water from flowing back into the dishwasher from the sink. It is usually located on the sink or countertop near the faucet.
Restore your dishwasher’s power and water supply and run a rinse cycle to test if the drain works properly.

We have other helpful cleaning hacks to help you maintain your home appliances well.