If your dishes keep coming out with cloudy marks or chalky residue, the problem probably isn’t your detergent—it’s limescale. This white, gritty buildup is caused by hard water minerals, and over time it clogs up your dishwasher’s spray arms, dulls your cutlery, and can shorten the life of the appliance itself.
Good news: you don’t need special tools or fancy products to deal with it. Here’s how to clear the buildup and keep your dishwasher running like it should.
Simple Steps to Remove Limescale from your Dishwasher
Step 1: Run a Vinegar Rinse Cycle
White vinegar is one of the simplest and most effective ways to dissolve limescale. It’s cheap, natural, and gets to work fast.
- Pour about 2 cups of white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe bowl or jug.
- Place it upright on the top rack (don’t pour it directly into the machine).
- Run a full hot cycle with the dishwasher empty—no detergent, no dishes.
This helps loosen and break down mineral deposits stuck to the interior walls, filter area, and spray arms.
Step 2: Add Baking Soda for a Second Clean
Baking soda helps tackle any lingering smells and leaves the inside fresh. It also boosts the cleaning effect by lifting off loosened residue.
- Once the vinegar cycle is finished, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda directly across the bottom of the dishwasher.
- Run a short, hot cycle again—still with no dishes.
By the end of this, your dishwasher should be looking (and smelling) much better.
Step 3: Manually Clean Filters and Spray Arms
Limescale often hides in small parts of the dishwasher that a rinse cycle can’t fully reach. This step takes a bit more effort, but it’s worth it.
- Remove the filter (usually found under the bottom spray arm), and give it a scrub under warm running water.
- Use a toothbrush or soft brush to clean out any trapped debris.
- Check the spray arms—poke a toothpick into the holes to clear any blockages.
- Wipe down the door seal, walls, and inside edges with a cloth soaked in white vinegar.
This step is especially important if it’s been a while since you gave the dishwasher a proper clean.
Dealing with limescale once is annoying. Doing it every few weeks? No thanks. Here’s how to stop it coming back so quickly:
- Use dishwasher salt regularly
If your machine has a built-in water softener, keeping the salt compartment topped up helps reduce mineral deposits from hard water. - Install a water softener
If you live in a very hard water area, consider fitting a softener under the sink or for your whole house. It’s a bigger investment, but it protects all your appliances. - Do a monthly vinegar rinse
One quick cycle with vinegar every month can stop limescale from taking hold again.
Cleaning limescale from your dishwasher is easier than you might think and doesn’t require expensive products. A simple vinegar rinse, followed by a baking soda cycle, can restore your dishwasher’s performance, leaving your dishes sparkling and your appliance running smoothly. Regular maintenance, like cleaning the filter and running a monthly vinegar cycle, will keep limescale from building up again and prolong the life of your dishwasher.
If you’re looking for a hassle-free, professional solution, Qeeper can take care of all your appliance cleaning needs. Our experienced team can remove stubborn limescale and perform thorough maintenance to ensure your dishwasher works at its best. Reach out today for fast, reliable service that saves you time and keeps your kitchen running smoothly. Clean dishes, less stress. Simple.