How To Clean Your Dishwasher Drain

How to Clean Your Dishwasher Drain & Hose and Get It Running Clog-Free

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Any dishwasher drain can get clogged for various reasons, and knowing how to clean a dishwasher drain quickly is very useful when your dishwasher is not draining.

Between food debris, grime, and built-up grease, it should be no surprise when your dishwasher stops draining altogether, especially if you don’t regularly clean the drain.

Just like replacing toilet parts, cleaning the inside of the dishwasher is a DIY job most homeowners can tackle very quickly.


“How To Clean Dishwasher Drain” 

Step 1:   Clean the Dishwasher “Drain Filter”

How to clean dishwasher drain - Besthomegear.com
How To Clean Dishwasher Drain – Besthomegear.com
  • Start by removing any food waste that may be present at the bottom of your dishwasher.
  • Use a damp cloth to clean and wipe around the filter.
  • Unscrew the filter. Look at your machine’s manual for any specific instructions.
  • Rinse the filter with water in your sink, and eliminate any grease or food waste stuck to the filter.
  • Once thoroughly cleaned, the filter is reattached to the dishwasher using a screwdriver.
  • Note: It is common for dishwashers to have a lower filter assembly. Some dishwasher models have an upper filter and lower filter assembly. 
  • In that instance, remove both filters and follow the above suggestions for cleaning each filter.

Step 2:   Unclog Dishwasher “Drain”

Cleaning dishwasher drain
Removing dishwasher sprayer and drain cover – Besthomegear.com
  • To unclog the drain, remove the dishwasher’s bottom rack to access the drain, drain catch, and filter. Before you do this, make sure you unplug the power cable.
  • Using a screwdriver, remove the catch basin and filter, which are located at the center of the dishwasher’s bottom.
  • Now that you can see the drain, straighten a wire hanger and use it to remove any noticeable blocks or clogs carefully.
  • Pour one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of vinegar down the drain to eliminate any stubborn debris, grease, or scum. You can use a commercial drain cleaner instead, but ensure it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals that may damage your dishwasher.
  • Let the baking soda and vinegar mixture sit in the drain for 10 to 15 minutes. This mixture will help break up any remaining clogs. Next, remove the baking soda and vinegar mixture, pour hot water down the drain to wash it out, and break up debris.
  • Assemble the dishwasher and run it on the “normal” cycle. The dishwasher should drain properly without any water pooling at the bottom.

Step 3:   Removing Clog from Dishwasher “Drain Hose”

replace dishwasher drain hose
Remove drain hose from dishwasher – Besthomegear.com
  • If your dishwasher still doesn’t drain properly, you should go more in-depth and remove clogs from the Drain Hose on the back or bottom.
  • Note: For this step, you must access the dishwasher drain hose, which requires knowing how to remove a dishwasher. Click the link above for step-by-step instructions.
  • First, unplug the dishwasher and make sure the power is completely disconnected.
    Please consult your owner’s manual for instructions on where to find the drain hose and how to detach it from the dishwasher.
  • Once you’ve found it, disconnect the hose using pliers. You can also consider placing a container under the hose to collect any spills.
  • Use a straightened wire hanger or auger to loosen and remove clogs.
  • Refasten the hose, turn on the dishwasher, and run it on a “normal” cycle. The drain hose should now be cleaned and drained correctly.
how to remove dishwasher drain hose from garbage disposal
Dishwasher Drain Hose connection at the Garbage Disposal – Besthomegear.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q:  How Do You Clean a Dishwasher Drain?

A: To clean the Dishwasher Drain (located inside and at the bottom of the dishwasher), remove the dishwasher drain filter and drain line and clear any large debris found in the dishwasher.

Following this article carefully, you’ll learn the proper methods for cleaning a dishwasher drain.

Q: What is the best household cleaner for a dishwasher drain?

A: The safest and Best Household Ingredients to clean a clogged dishwasher drain are Baking soda and Vinegar, which you can mix according to the steps below;

  • Pour one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of vinegar down the drain to eliminate any stubborn debris, grease, or scum.
  • You can use a commercial drain cleaner instead, but ensure it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals that may damage your dishwasher.
  • Let the baking soda and vinegar mixture sit in the drain for 10 to 15 minutes.

This mixture will help break up any remaining clogs. Next, remove the baking soda and vinegar mixture and pour hot water down the drain to wash it out and break up debris.


Conclusion

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to clean the dishwasher drain. Remember, to keep your dishwasher operating efficiently, you should always scrape food waste from your dishes before loading.

This helps your dishwasher run correctly and as intended. 

In other words, the dishwasher isn’t designed to be garbage disposal, and proper use requires the user to eliminate or rinse cups, dishes, pans, or silverware before loading the dishwasher.

Learning how to Restore dishwasher functions will save you time and greatly help you avoid dishwasher drainage issues in the future.

Thanks for Visiting Best Home Gear, and Don’t forget to Check Out All our Homeowner DIY Home Repair Guides.

Additional Reading and References:

Kevin
Kevinhttps://www.besthomegear.com/
As publisher at Best Home Gear, Kevin draws on 25+ years in Construction, Real Estate, and Property Management, and since 2018 has published DIY advice for Home, Lawn, and Garden Improvements. Your feedback helps us grow and lets other homeowners discover our site. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts in the Comments Section below!

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Image of Kevin Carroll, author and publisher @ Besthomegear.com
Kevin:  Author and Publisher at Best Home Gear

As the publisher at Best Home Gear, Kevin draws on 25+ years in construction, real estate, and property management, providing DIY advice for home, lawn, and garden improvements and expert Product Reviews.

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