What can I pour down my dishwasher to unclog it?

To unclog your dishwasher, you can pour several safe household solutions that dissolve grease, food residue, and mineral buildup without damaging pump or hoses. The most effective is white vinegar: pour 2 cups of distilled white vinegar into bottom of empty dishwasher and run hot water cycle, vinegar's acetic acid dissolves grease, hard water scale, and deodorizes. Second, baking soda: sprinkle 1 cup baking soda in bottom and run hot cycle, it scrubs residue and deodorizes. Third, vinegar and baking soda combination: pour 1 cup baking soda in bottom, then 2 cups vinegar, let fizz for 15 minutes, then run hot cycle. Fourth, Affresh dishwasher cleaner tablet: place one tablet in detergent dispenser and run hot cycle with no dishes, it is formulated to dissolve buildup and is recommended by Whirlpool and Bosch. Avoid pouring bleach in stainless steel tub dishwashers as it can damage stainless and rubber seals, though 1/2 cup bleach is okay in plastic tub models for disinfecting. Avoid Drano or chemical drain cleaners as they damage pump and hoses and are toxic. To unclog drain, also remove and clean filter at bottom of dishwasher that traps food, check spray arms for clogged holes and clean with toothpick, check drain hose under sink for kink, and check air gap or garbage disposal connection for clog. Run monthly cleaning cycle to prevent clogs.