Novah / Clean dishes start here
How to clean a dishwasher that cleans for you.
The dishwasher does a lot of the unglamorous work. Now and then, it needs a turn too. Start with the food filter and the parts you can safely reach, then use the cleaning programme your machine actually has. The manual gets the deciding vote.
Go to the steps
Filter first. Accessible parts next. Cleaning cycle last.
Empty the machine and follow its instructions for safe cleaning. Remove and rinse the filter assembly if it is designed for this, wipe the door edges and seals, and check the spray arms. Refit everything correctly before running the recommended machine-care programme with a compatible cleaner.
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Follow the water's route.
These are the accessible areas to identify before removing anything.
Filter assembly
Check how it releases, how its parts separate and how it locks back into place.
Spray arms
Look for visible food or blocked openings. Remove an arm only when the manual explains how.
Door edges and seals
Wipe places outside the main wash area with a suitable damp cloth, then dry as directed.
01 / Before you start
Keep the kit small.
A dishwasher needs the right product, not the entire cupboard.
Your model's manual
Find the filter release, spray-arm instructions and machine-care programme. Parts that look alike can unlock differently. Do not unscrew panels or reach into a pump as part of this clean.
Soft brush and cloth
A small soft brush helps remove food from a washable filter. Use a clean cloth for accessible door edges and seals. Keep sharp objects away from mesh and rubber.
Approved machine cleaner
Choose a product suitable for this dishwasher and follow both its label and the appliance instructions. Ordinary washing-up liquid belongs outside the machine; it can cause excessive foam.
02 / The steps
Five steps. One empty machine.
Do the small manual jobs before asking a cleaning cycle to finish the work.
Empty and make the machine safe
Remove dishes and check the floor around the open door. Let hot parts cool, and follow the appliance's safety instructions before removing components. Clear only visible loose food without reaching into hidden parts. If there is broken glass, a leak or standing water you cannot explain, stop and use the model's troubleshooting guidance.
Clean the removable filter
Remove the assembly by its release mechanism. Empty food remnants into the appropriate waste, rinse the washable parts and gently brush away residue. Check that the mesh is intact. Reassemble in the right order and lock it securely back in place; a loose filter should not be left for the next cycle to sort out.
Guidance from: Martat · dishwasher care (opens in a new tab)
Check the spray arms
Look at the water openings and make sure the arms can turn freely. If the manual permits removal, rinse or clean them by the specified method. Do not force a clip or poke an unknown tool through a delicate opening. Refit securely and check that racks and utensils will not block their movement.
Guidance from: Martat · dishwasher care (opens in a new tab)
Wipe the door edges and seals
Use a clean damp cloth and the allowed cleaner on accessible edges and seal surfaces. Lift visible crumbs gently without pulling the seal out. Wipe the exterior and handle by their own finish instructions. Remove any cleaner residue, and keep water away from controls and openings.
Guidance from: Martat · dishwasher care (opens in a new tab)
Run the approved cleaning programme
With parts correctly refitted and the machine empty, use the recommended cleaning cycle and compatible product. Follow the label for where the cleaner goes and whether a follow-up rinse is needed. Stay available while it runs, as you would for an ordinary wash. Check the filter and interior once the programme is finished and safe to open.
Guidance from: Martat · dishwasher care (opens in a new tab)
Three things the machine will not thank you for.
A squirt of washing-up liquid
Use only the cleaning product your machine allows. Hand-dishwashing liquid can foam far too much inside a dishwasher.
A filter that is almost locked
Check the assembly is correctly seated and secured before running a programme. Almost is not a setting.
Every cleaner at once
Use one approved method at a time. Do not combine cleaning products or add a home mixture on top of a machine cleaner.
03 / The finishing touch
Make the next load an easier one.
Clear large food scraps before loading and keep items out of the spray arms' path. Check the filter as your manual recommends, especially after a messy load. A cleaning cycle helps with buildup; it does not replace removing a piece of pasta from the filter.
- Keep the filter intact and correctly fitted.
- Use the recommended detergent and dose.
- Persistent leaks, drainage trouble or poor washing need troubleshooting, not stronger chemicals.
04 / Questions
Questions
Can I use vinegar or citric acid?
Only if the appliance instructions allow that exact method. Martat describes options but also stresses compatibility. An approved machine cleaner is simpler when you are unsure; do not combine it with another product.
Guidance from: Martat · dishwasher care (opens in a new tab)
Does the hottest wash count as machine cleaning?
Not automatically. A machine-care programme may have different instructions and product requirements. Follow your model's cleaning section rather than choosing a high temperature by guesswork.
How often should I clean the dishwasher?
Follow the manufacturer's schedule and check the filter when food accumulates or results get worse. Usage and the kinds of dishes you wash affect how quickly residue collects.
What if water stays at the bottom?
A small amount in a designated area can be normal for some models, while drainage trouble needs investigation. Compare what you see with the manual. Stop for unexplained standing water, leaks or an error message.
Sources & material instructions
Novah
Let the kitchen feel easier.
If you are planning a Novah home clean, tell us the kitchen areas you would like included. Confirm any appliance task separately. This guide covers routine care; machine repairs belong with an appliance service professional.
Plan your home clean
