Cleaning Your Dishwasher with BKF

January 16, 2025

It may seem difficult to believe, but cleaning the inside of your dishwasher is just as important (if not more so) than cleaning the outside. This might sound counterintuitive since many believe the dishwasher cleans itself while running. It does, but is it enough? 

Here’s what leading appliance manufacturer Whirlpool has to say about cleaning the inside of your dishwasher, “Regularly cleaning the inside of your dishwasher is an easy way to help prevent a smelly dishwasher and the build-up of detergent, minerals, and dirt that can cause your dishwasher to not clean properly.”

Important Note: BKF is not formulated to work with the dishwashing process. Do NOT add it to the automatic dispenser in your dishwasher.

For ease of use (and overall accessibility), we highly recommend using BKF MORE Spray + Foam. It contains the same cleaning ingredients as the powder cleaner but has a gentler formulation. Additionally, the nozzle options and ability to spray upside down make it easy to clean those “hard-to-reach ” spots. 

Cleaning Inside Your Dishwasher with More Spray + Foam

• Empty your dishwasher.
• Twist the trigger spray nozzle to on.
• Open nozzle flap to foam option.
• Spray it on both sides, top and bottom.
• Gently rub with a soft cloth.
• Let it sit for one minute.
• Wipe it off with a soft cloth.
• Before washing any dishes, run your dishwasher empty on rinse.

Pro tip: Regularly remove and clean the dishwasher filter with warm, soapy water to prevent food debris build-up.

Last summer, we updated our kitchen with new black stainless steel appliances. Cleaning the exterior of these new appliances, including the new dishwasher, is easy, as we use Bar Keepers Friend Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish! The Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish works wonders! We also use BKF stainless steel spray on our stove, fridge, and microwave.

It’s typical for stainless steel dishwashers to be covered with fingerprints, smudges, and water spots. Thankfully, there’s an easy fix. Simply spray BKF Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish on the surface, wipe it with a soft cloth, and buff the surface to a brilliant shine using a microfiber cloth. It’s that easy!

Don’t take my word for it, though. Let’s hear what Kellsie Zapata of Zapata’s Cleaning Services has to say about how to clean a stainless steel dishwasher:

“Do your stainless steel appliances look like this? Or perhaps like this? If they do, let me show you how to fix them. You are going to need @Bar Keepers Friend. Any version of Bar Keepers Friend will work, whether it’s the soft cleanser, the more spray formula, or the original powder cleanser. If you have water stains or any other grime on your stainless steel surface, Bar Keepers Friend can remove it.”

Have you used BKF on your dishwasher? Do you have any photos? If you do, you can share them at #BKFBeforeAndAfter or you can submit them on our website. We’d love to see what you’ve done, and it could be featured on one of our social media accounts, our website, or even on a can of Bar Keepers Friend!

About the Author 

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends (after COVID-19), he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two daughters; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook: A crash course in effective management.