In theory, your dishwasher should be constantly cleaning itself — but sadly, it isn’t. Over time, bits of food, grease, undissolved detergent, and water minerals build up on the dishwasher’s filter and interior walls. Along with an unpleasant odor and look, this gunk can actually leave spots and film on your glassware, dinnerware, and flatware. In short, that means if you don’t clean your dishwasher correctly, your appliance can’t fully do its job. Plus, if you let the food and grime build up, it can seriously damage the dishwasher’s filter and pump, ultimately resulting in costly repairs.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we’ve done the research to find the most effective way to clean your dishwasher, along with testing different dishwasher detergents and cleaners. Along the way, we’ve discovered the best tricks to keep your dishwasher clean and odor-free. If musty odor is your biggest problem, run the Rinse Only cycle and leave the door ajar to circulate air flow. When it comes to odor, however, start by tackling the root of the problem: leftover food that has turned your dishwasher into a second garbage disposal. To prevent unwanted smells, wipe excess food before loading plates, silverware, bowls, and other items into the dishwasher. While you’re at it, remove paper labels or tags attached to new, unused items, too.