Bosch Dishwasher Spray Arm Cleaning

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Introduction

Use this guide to remove, clean, and reinstall the lower and upper spray arms in a Bosch dishwasher. Clogged spray holes can reduce water flow and leave dishes dirty. Clean the spray arms twice a year to keep wash performance consistent. This guide was written for Bosch dishwashers with a lift-off lower spray arm and an upper spray arm secured with a locking nut, but your model may vary slightly.

What you need

Step 1 Prepare the dishwasher

Make sure the dishwasher is off, empty, and cool before you work inside the tub.
Turn off power at the wall switch or circuit breaker if the controls could be pressed while you work.
Open the door fully and slide the lower basket out of the dishwasher.

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Step 2 Remove the lower spray arm

Grip the lower spray arm near the center hub.
Lift the spray arm straight up until it pops out of its mount.
Set the spray arm where the holes are easy to inspect.

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Step 3 Remove the upper spray arm

Support the upper spray arm with one hand.
Turn the small locking nut counterclockwise about 25 degrees as you face it.
Pull the spray arm downward to remove it.
The locking nut only needs a short turn, not a full rotation.

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Step 4 Clean the spray holes

Use a wooden toothpick to clear food debris or mold from each spray hole.
Clean the holes on both sides of the upper spray arm.
Repeat the same cleaning on the lower spray arm.
Don't use a metal pick, because it can enlarge or damage the spray holes.

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Step 5 Rinse the spray arms

Use hot water carefully to avoid scalding your hands.
Hold a spray arm under hot running water.
Direct the water into the funnel-shaped opening in the center of the spray arm.
Watch for water flowing freely from all of the spray holes.
Repeat the hot-water rinse for the other spray arm.
If a hole doesn't flow well, clear it again with the wooden toothpick and rinse it again.

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Step 6 Clean the upper central nut

Slide the central nut out of the upper spray arm.
Rinse the nut under hot running water until it is clean.
Slide the nut back into the upper spray arm in the same orientation.
Make sure the nut is seated before fitting the spray arm back into the dishwasher.

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Step 7 Refit the lower spray arm

Align the lower spray arm with its mount in the bottom of the tub.
Press the spray arm downward until it pops into place.
Spin the spray arm by hand to check that it turns freely.
If it doesn't spin freely, lift it out, check for leftover debris, and press it into place again.

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Step 8 Refit the upper spray arm

Push the upper spray arm up into its mounting hole.
Turn the locking nut clockwise about 25 degrees as you face it until it locks into place.
Spin the upper spray arm by hand to check that it turns freely.
If the nut doesn't lock, lower the arm, align it with the hole, and try the 25-degree turn again.

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Step 9 Reinstall the lower basket

Slide the lower basket back into the dishwasher.
Check that the basket doesn't interfere with the lower spray arm.
Clean both spray arms twice a year to keep water spraying around the dishwasher properly.
If dishes still don't clean well, recheck that both spray arms spin freely and that all spray holes flow freely.

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Conclusion

Before you run a wash cycle, make sure both spray arms are fully seated and spin freely. Repeat this cleaning every six months, or anytime the spray holes look blocked. Repair didn't go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

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