A Home Remedy to Unclog a Dishwasher

Safety Precautions

• It is important to follow strict safety precautions when unclogging your dishwasher. The first thing you need to do is to turn off the power to your dishwasher using the power source switch in your circuit breaker box. Another option is to unplug the dishwasher from the wall outlet. Either way, to prevent electrocution, do not proceed with unclogging your dishwasher until you are absolutely certain that the power is disconnected.

Cleaning the Hose

• Reference the user manual for your dishwasher to find out where the drain hose is located on your model. Put on rubber gloves. Disconnect the drain hose by pinching the wire clamp with pliers and sliding the clamp up the hose. Clean the hose by inserting a wire coat hanger through it or by spraying the inside of it with high-pressure water such as a hose. This should remove any clogs located within the drain hose.

Cleaning the Drain

• Remove the drain catch and drain filter. Insert a coat hanger inside the drain and remove any clog that you find. Then pour 1 tbsp. of baking soda and 2 tbsp. of vinegar down the drain. When combined, they react to create a bubbly foam that will clear any remaining grease or loosened clogs.

Reassembling the Drain

• To get your dishwasher running again, put the drain filter and drain catch back into place. Clean any remnants of the clog out of the dishwasher with a wet cloth, then reconnect the drain hose and tighten the clamp. Plug the dishwasher back in, or turn the power supply back on. Test the dishwasher by running it. If any problems remain, consult a plumbing professional.