How to clean a dishwasher

OUR dishwashers are our best friends when we can't be bothered to scrub our plates - but the nifty machines need our help as much as we need theirs.

Over time, bits of food and grease can build up in your dishwasher, which makes it less efficient and can even end up costing you money.

How do you clean a dishwasher?

One of the often forgotten tasks in the kitchen is cleaning the dishwasher.

It can be a mystery how a dishwasher actually works, but cleaning it is actually quite simple.

Without a clean filter, your dishwasher cannot do its job properly.

You should take the filter out and rinse it under hot running water.

Using a soft toothbrush, clean the mesh and the plastic frame before replacing it back into the dishwasher and locking it into place.

Experts at iconic appliance maker Smeg said: "Cleaning the filter in your dishwasher's base regularly is crucial.

"This collects food particles and residues and can not only produce an odour if not cleaned, but will also reduce the dishwasher's performance."

Put your empty dishwasher on for a hot cycle to break buildup and stop smells.

If the spray arms are blocked, your dishes will not be cleaned effectively.

Use a pin to poke through any blockages after removing the arms.

Rinse them under the tap and make sure they are clear from all dirt before reattaching them.

This can be done as and when it is needed, grubby handprints can quickly make your dishwasher look dirty.

This is worse with stainless steel appliances, which can show up all the little bits of dirt and grime.

Your dishwasher needs a thorough cleaning every six months, but little jobs can be done regularly to keep on top of it.

Wiping grime away from the door, both inside and out, should be done whenever it is needed.

Regularly rinsing the filter is also a must.

If there are any smells lurking you can always sprinkle some baking soda at the bottom of your dishwasher as this is a deodorizer.