How to Clean a Dishwasher

Cleaning your dishwasher may sound like a big job, but it’s actually quite easy, and with a few simple tools you can pretty much sit back and let your dishwasher do the dirty work. Some people may think that home appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines have self-cleaning functions, but they are constantly in contact with dirty substances and mineral build-up, so they continue to work properly and are constantly Regular cleaning is also necessary to provide clean tableware.

Thankfully, with just a few steps, you can clean your smelly dishwasher and get it back in tip-top condition. Here’s how.

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Why do I need to clean my dishwasher?

Cleaning your dishwasher regularly not only helps remove odors and keep your dishwasher smelling clean, but it’s also important to keep it free of any grease, minerals, dirt, or limescale that may occur. is. These can actually prevent your dishwasher from working efficiently over time. Without proper cleaning, your dishes can become dirty or cloudy, and you may find yourself needing unnecessary repairs when proper cleaning is all you need.

How often should I clean my dishwasher?

Most dishwasher manufacturers recommend cleaning your dishwasher once a month. If you use your dishwasher consistently, we recommend following this schedule, but if you use it several times a day, you may want to clean it more. Hard water can also contribute to mineral buildup, which may require more frequent cleaning. Try cleaning it with vinegar and baking soda once a month, and giving it a deep clean at least once every three months (if there are odors or visible stains, you may want to clean it more often). .

If you don’t use your dishwasher often, you can clean it every 3 to 6 months.

Consumables needed to clean your dishwasher:

• white vinegar
• baking soda
• dish detergent
• A small soft-bristled scrubber or toothbrush
• Dishwasher safe bowl or glass pyrex measuring cup

Note: When it comes to cleaning your electronics, check your product’s instruction manual to see if there are any manufacturer cleaning restrictions for your particular model to avoid voiding your warranty.

How to clean a dishwasher

1. Remove and clean the filter.

If your dishwasher has a removable filter (check your manual to see if it has a removable filter or one built-in), remove the filter and clean it to avoid any possibility of blocking the filter. Remove any trash or obstructions. We recommend doing this about once a month to keep it running smoothly.

If your machine has a non-removable filter, you can skip this step as it should also be a self-cleaning filter.

• Locate and remove the top and/or bottom filters of your dishwasher.
• Check the empty filter compartment for food particles and wipe it with a clean cloth.
• Wash the filter using warm soapy water and use a soft brush to clean the filter.
• Rinse the filter, then place the filter back into place in the dishwasher and lock.

2. Clean removable parts

Remove the utensil holder and dishwasher rack. Remove food residue with a soft brush and warm soapy water and rinse. If the sink feels too cramped to wash a larger dishwasher rack, you can also move it to the bathtub for scrubbing.

Tip: For stubborn food on racks or utensil holders, soak them in boiling water with a cup of vinegar. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then rub it again before rinsing.

3. Run the vinegar cycle

Continuous use of a dishwasher can cause dirt and odors to build up over time. Running your dishwasher cycle with white vinegar will help deodorize your dishwasher and keep it smelling clean.

• Empty the dishwasher.
• Add 2 cups of white vinegar to a dishwasher-safe bowl or glass measuring cup and place the cup in the bottom rack of the dishwasher.
• Run the cycle on the hottest water setting No dishwasher detergent and, Heated drying option turned off.

Tip: You can use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar, but the coloring of apple cider vinegar can cause stains.

4. Run a baking soda cycle

Baking soda also helps eliminate odors and remove stains, making it a cheap and easy way to add another layer of cleaning to your dishwasher. Once the vinegar cycle is complete…

• Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher.
• Run the cycle on the hottest water setting No dishwasher detergent.

To thoroughly clean your dishwasher, you can also…

Clean interior doors and gaskets

To clean the interior dishwasher door and gasket (the rubber seal around the interior opening of the dishwasher), add 1/2 cup vinegar to 3 cups warm water and scrub the gasket with a soft toothbrush to remove any residue. remove. Check the manual to see if the manufacturer only allows water to enter the gasket, and if so, scrub it with warm water.

If there are signs of mold on the gasket, check your manual to see if you can use an all-purpose cleaner to clean it more deeply.

Wipe the interior doors with a soft cloth using the same vinegar solution.

clean the drain pipes

Cleaning your dishwasher drain is another important step in dishwasher maintenance. Keep drains clean and free of debris.

• Warm 1 cup of vinegar on the stove or in the microwave until warm.
• Add two tablespoons of baking soda to vinegar and pour it down the drain of your dishwasher. Let stand for 15 minutes.
• Heat water in a kettle to boiling and carefully and slowly pour it down the drain to remove the blockage (be careful not to splash the boiling water).

Check the spray arm.

The spray arms at the top and bottom of your dishwasher are what distribute water to your dishes, but over time they can become clogged with debris and mineral buildup.

While you’re removing the rack, check the spray arm to make sure the holes aren’t clogged and use a toothpick or flexible wire to poke out any debris.

Wipe the outside door

As the final step to clean your dishwasher, wipe the front door of the dishwasher with a microfiber cloth dampened with water mixed with a small amount of dish soap. If you have a stainless steel dishwasher, it’s best to use it stainless steel cleaner Perfectly removes dirt and fingerprints and prevents cleaning streaks.

How do I clean my dishwasher using Affresh tablets?

Using dishwasher detergent, refresh Tablets are also an easy way to clean your dishwasher.

• For best results, First, remove all dishes. Although some dishwasher cleaners claim that you can technically clean dishes with them in, it’s best to run it in an empty dishwasher so that all areas of the dishwasher are exposed.
• after that Remove and clean the filter Clear any blockages or obstructions (if the filter is removable) and remove any food left in the drain or near the filter area.
• Add dishwasher detergent tablets Go to detergent tray. If you have a lot of detergent built up in your washer, you can add a second tablet to the bottom rack of the dishwasher in addition to the tablet in the detergent tray.
• Run a complete wash cycle The dishwasher is now clean.

Tip: Make sure to keep your disposal clean as well, as a dirty or clogged disposer can actually cause problems with your dishwasher draining.

How to keep your dishwasher clean…

• Every time you load remove visible food Stuff that collects at the bottom of the dishwasher.
• Do not overload the dishwasher Allows water to easily reach all areas.
• Set a reminder You can schedule regular cleanings on your phone’s calendar so you never forget when it’s time for a regular or full deep clean.