This post shares top tips on regular dishwasher maintenance . Don’t be misguided – your dishwasher won’t clean itself while it washes. Not only do residue and grease from hand washing get transferred during each cycle, but these build up over time which might lead to clogged filters, and pumps or even impact sensors’ efficiency. Taking proactive steps for preventive care is essential if you want an efficient and healthy long-lasting machine.
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How to clean a dishwasher daily?
Scrape and go
Scrape as much food off dishes as possible before loading. Plus, there’s no need for rinsing plates before placing them in the dishwasher – it can actually disrupt its automatic mode since it may think that your crockery is cleaner than it really is, which would result in an ineffective wash.
Keep the door slightly open
Keeping the door slightly open helps to extend your door seals’ lifespan and circulating air prevents mould growth as well as bad smells. Some models even have an auto-opening feature that aids in quicker drying performance.
How to clean a dishwasher monthly?
Clean the filter
A manual dishwasher filter often contains a mesh net that captures pieces of food. Every month (or even more frequently based on your usage) you’ll need to remove this build-up manually in order to avoid bad smells and obstructions with water flow. A filter filled with food scraps and grease will be the source of most dishwasher problems, so proper cleaning is essential to dishwasher health.
Run a cycle with vinegar
Vinegar can be a powerful cleaning agent when it comes to removing stuck food particles or detergent residue. Fill a glass or plastic jar with one cup of distilled white vinegar and place it on the top shelf of your dishwasher. Choose to run only the washing cycle without drying for energy saving.
Rinse with baking soda
After the first cycle is completed, sprinkle a cup of baking soda onto the floor of your dishwasher. Run a brief hot water rinse without using the drying cycle and then open up your machine to let it air-dry. Both vinegar and baking soda are essential for washing away grease buildup as well as getting rid of unsavory odors.
How to clean your dishwasher annually?
Check the spray arms
For the most efficient dish cleaning, spinning or spray arms can be used. Unfortunately, their small holes are susceptible to clogging and food particles becoming stuck inside them. Fortunately though, you have a simple solution- utilize a toothbrush to remove any debris that has become lodged in the arm’s openings.
Strainer remove and clean
Take a peek at the strainer located in the dishwasher drain – if you can, take it out and be prepared to see what gunk has been collected over time. For cleaning, dip an old toothbrush into some vinegar and give all of those hard-to-reach areas a thorough scrubbing for optimal results.
Thoroughly clean the utensil holder and detergent dispenser
Your old toothbrush can be useful to take out any debris that might be caught in the grid of the utensil holder. Also, scrub any buildup in the detergent dispenser.
Sanitize the rubber seals for optimum performance
Soak a fresh sponge in white vinegar and scrub the rubber seals of the interior doorway and around its edges for an extra deep clean.
How to clean the outside of a dishwasher
The way in which you clean the exterior of your dishwasher largely depends on its design and finish, yet there are a few basic steps that anyone can easily follow. Keep your dishwasher looking sparkling clean by wiping down the door and fascia with a soft cloth dampened in hot soapy water or an all-purpose cleaner (consult your manual first). You can spruce up any grime or fingerprints on stainless steel surfaces easily using glass cleaners. Don’t forget to pay close attention when scrubbing out corners, handles and around control panels.
To keep your fully integrated appliances in top condition, ensure that the fascia is cleaned just like any other part of your cabinetry. Pay special attention to wiping down the door seals with a soft damp cloth too; this practice helps fight away mould and odors as well as eliminates anything blocking the seal from closing properly.
Is it safe to disinfect your dishwasher with bleach?
Absolutely not! Utilizing bleach and any cleaning products that contain it is discouraged, especially if your dishwasher has a stainless steel interior. Sure, some detergents include bleaching agents to help with tea or coffee stains on cups and other dinnerware – but nothing more than that. Moreover, never mix bleach and vinegar together—the combination of the two can be deadly due to the generation of chlorine gas.
