I used to think that a dishwasher never needed to be cleaned since it was constantly cleaning itself.
One of the main issues with dishwashers I found out over time is build up of bits of food residue, grease, detergent, and water mineral on the dishwasher’s interior walls and filter system. Sometimes all of this is followed by an unpleasant odor and dirty appearance. It can even prevent your dishwasher from properly cleaning your dishes too.
Leaving your dishwasher without a cleaning and eventually the build up of these issues can seriously damage your appliance. It might even result in costly repairs.
If you want to ensure your dishwasher is running efficiently and need simple ways to keep your dishwasher clean, check out these 6 easy ways to keep your dishwasher clean!
1. Inspect the Drain
Before you ever start cleaning your dishwasher, it’s always a good idea to check the area around the drain. Remove the bottom dishwasher rack for easier access. Feel around the area of the drain and remove any thing you find blocking the drain. If it’s too much of a task you can perhaps call a drain cleaning service.
You might often find some items down there, such as glass shards or bits of plastic that can stop your drain from working properly. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of cleaning any remaining bits of food after each dishwasher cycle to prevent future buildup and odors.
2. Remove the Grim
Once a week you should wipe away the grime on the door. Use a damp sponge or cloth and wipe away any residue spots that have splashed onto the interior surface. This includes the door, the door’s edges, handle, and dishwasher controls.
Add this into your weekly or daily tidying up at home if you want to.
If you have stainless dishwasher, use a structural steel cleaner to help shine up your dishwasher door. A stainless steel cleaner will help preserve your appliances shine and help repeal any dirt or smudges.
3. Set Your Water Heater
It’s always good to double check your water heater temperature. This ensures that the water is hot enough to effectively clean your dishes. A good temperature to have your water heater set to 120 °F.
4. Before You Start a Cycle
Dishwashers often use the same drain with a garbage disposal, so turning on your garbage disposal to clear it out of any food before starting a cycle can help ensure your dishwasher is efficiently and cleaning your dishes properly.
5. Rinse Those Dishes
Rinsing your dishes of any food before you put them in your dish washer can avoid blocking your drain. It also makes sure your other dishes are getting washed properly too.
6. Give It a Deep Clean
Giving your dishwasher a good clean can really make the difference when cleaning your dishwasher.
Place a small dishwasher safe bowl on the top rack of an empty dishwasher. Fill it with white vinegar. Run a complete wash cycle on the hottest setting.
You can run another cycle after the white vinegar is done by sprinkling a handful of baking soda into the bottom of the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher on a quick wash cycle using the hottest setting.