How to Keep Your IKEA Dishwasher Running Clean and Fresh

IKEA Dishwashers: Basic Cleaning and Care

IKEA dishwashers—sold under the brand names RENLIG and MEDELSTOR—are built to handle daily washing, but they need regular maintenance to stay odor-free and work well. Unlike the dishes inside, the machine itself collects food particles, grease buildup, and mineral deposits that can leave smells and reduce cleaning power over time. The good news is that IKEA dishwashers respond well to the same straightforward cleaning routine you'd use on any built-in model.

Most IKEA dishwashers are manufactured by Whirlpool or Electrolux under license, which means the internal layout and filter system follow standard patterns. This matters because it tells you where debris collects and why certain cleaning steps work. The filter basket at the bottom catches food scraps, the spray arms can clog, and the door seals trap moisture and odors. Knowing this helps you understand what you're cleaning and why.

Key Takeaways

• Empty and rinse the filter basket weekly, and soak it monthly in hot water with white vinegar to dissolve mineral buildup.
• Run a cleaning cycle with white vinegar or a commercial dishwasher cleaner once a month to remove grease and odors from the interior.
• Wipe the door gasket and edges with a damp cloth after every few loads to prevent mold and mildew growth.
• Check the spray arm holes for blockages and clear them with a toothpick or small brush if water isn't reaching dishes evenly.

Cleaning the Filter and Drain Basket

The filter basket sits at the bottom of your IKEA dishwasher and traps food particles before they reach the pump. Over time, this basket fills with debris that can smell and block water flow. To clean it, stop the dishwasher mid-cycle or wait until a cycle finishes, then open the door and locate the cylindrical filter at the bottom center. Twist it counterclockwise to remove it—no tools needed.

Rinse the filter under running water and use an old toothbrush to scrub away stuck-on food and grease. Once a month, soak the filter in a bowl of hot water mixed with one cup of white vinegar for 15 to 20 minutes. This dissolves mineral deposits and kills odor-causing bacteria. Rinse it thoroughly and replace it by twisting clockwise until it sits flush. If you see standing water at the bottom of the tub after a cycle, the filter may be clogged or seated incorrectly—remove and reseat it, making sure it clicks into place.

Running a Monthly Cleaning Cycle

A cleaning cycle removes grease, mineral buildup, and odors from the spray arms, walls, and heating element. You have two options: white vinegar (cheap and effective) or a commercial dishwasher cleaner like Finish Dishwasher Cleaner or Affresh. Both work, but vinegar is gentler on seals and costs less.

To run a vinegar cycle, place a bowl filled with one cup of white vinegar on the top rack of an empty dishwasher. Close the door and select the hottest, longest cycle available—usually the "Pots and Pans" or "Heavy Soil" setting. Let the cycle run all the way through. The heat and acidity dissolve buildup and kill bacteria. If you use a commercial cleaner, follow the package instructions, which usually involve placing the product in the bottom of the tub before running a hot cycle. Do this once a month, or more often if you notice odors or spotty dishes.

Preventing Mold and Odors in the Door Seal

The rubber gasket around the door is a moisture trap where mold and mildew thrive. This is the most common source of dishwasher smell. After every few loads, wipe the gasket with a damp cloth or an old toothbrush, paying attention to the grooves where water sits. You don't need soap—just water and a little friction.

If you notice black spots or a musty smell coming from the seal, soak a cloth in white vinegar and press it against the gasket for a few minutes, then scrub gently with an old toothbrush. Wipe dry with a clean cloth. Between loads, leave the door slightly ajar for an hour or two after a cycle finishes to let air circulate and dry the seal. This single habit prevents most mold problems. If the gasket is cracked or no longer seals tightly, contact IKEA customer service—replacement gaskets are inexpensive and take 10 minutes to install.

Clearing Spray Arm Blockages

The spray arms rotate during a cycle and spray water through small holes to clean dishes. If those holes clog with mineral deposits or food particles, water won't reach the dishes evenly, and you'll see spotty or dirty plates. Check the spray arms by removing the top and bottom racks and looking at the arms—they're usually plastic tubes with holes drilled along the sides.

Use a toothpick or a small straightened paperclip to poke through each hole and dislodge any blockage. Work slowly and feel for resistance. If an arm is heavily caked with mineral deposits, soak it in hot vinegar for 20 minutes first, then clean the holes. Some IKEA models have removable spray arms that twist off—check your manual to see if yours does. If the arm is stuck or you're unsure, don't force it; contact IKEA support instead. After clearing the holes, run a short cycle to flush out any debris before washing dishes again.

Managing Hard Water Stains and Mineral Buildup

If you live in an area with hard water, mineral deposits build up inside the dishwasher and on dishes, leaving white spots and a dull film. This happens because minerals in the water don't dissolve during the wash cycle. The fix involves two steps: using a rinse aid and running regular vinegar cycles.

Rinse aid is a liquid you pour into a small reservoir inside the door (check your manual for the exact location). It helps water sheet off dishes and the interior, so minerals dry without spotting. Most IKEA dishwashers have a rinse aid dispenser. Fill it when the indicator light comes on, usually once every few months depending on water hardness. Beyond that, run a vinegar cycle monthly—the acidity dissolves mineral deposits before they harden. If spots are already baked on, soak dishes in white vinegar for 30 minutes before washing, or run them through a cycle with a commercial dishwasher cleaner designed for hard water.

Organizing Racks to Keep the Interior Clean

How you load the dishwasher affects how clean it stays. Overloading traps food particles and prevents water from circulating, which leaves debris sitting in the tub. Load dishes so water can flow freely—don't stack plates flat on top of each other, and don't block the spray arms with large pots or baking sheets.

Scrape large food scraps into the trash before loading; you don't need to rinse dishes, but chunks of food or dried sauce should come off. This reduces the load on the filter and keeps the tub cleaner between cycles. If you wash greasy pans, run them on the bottom rack where the water is hottest. Avoid putting items with stubborn, baked-on food in the same load as delicate glasses—the debris can scratch them and clog the filter faster. After a few loads, check the filter again; if it's full of food, you may be overloading or not scraping enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IKEA dishwasher smell like rotten eggs?

That smell usually comes from bacteria growing in the filter basket or door gasket. Empty and rinse the filter, then soak it in vinegar for 20 minutes. Wipe the gasket with a vinegar-soaked cloth and leave the door open to dry. Run a hot vinegar cycle. If the smell returns within a week, the drain line may be blocked—contact IKEA support to have it checked.

Can I use bleach to clean my IKEA dishwasher?

No. Bleach damages rubber seals and can corrode metal parts inside the machine. Use white vinegar or a commercial dishwasher cleaner instead. Both are safe for all interior materials and just as effective at killing odor-causing bacteria.

How often should I clean the spray arms?

Check them monthly by looking at the holes and poking them with a toothpick. If water isn't spraying evenly or dishes aren't getting clean, clear the holes right away. In hard water areas, check every two weeks. In soft water areas, once a month is usually enough.

What should I do if water pools at the bottom after a cycle?

First, remove and reseat the filter basket—it may not be seated correctly. If water still pools, the drain line may be clogged. Check that the drain hose (the tube running from the dishwasher to the sink or garbage disposal) isn't kinked or blocked. If you can't find the problem, contact IKEA customer service; the pump may need service.

Is it normal for my IKEA dishwasher to have a slight vinegar smell after a cleaning cycle?

Yes. The smell fades within a few hours as the interior dries. If it lingers for more than a day, run a short rinse cycle with the door open to air out the tub. In the future, you can reduce the smell by using less vinegar—try half a cup instead of a full cup.