Wait… the dishwasher doesn’t clean itself?
Like any other appliance inside your kitchen, your dishwasher needs regular cleaning to work at its prime. However, you can use vinegar, baking soda, and hot dishwasher cycles to make it easier!
Learn here how to clean a dishwasher!
How to clean a dishwasher
Dishwashers are constantly washing your dishes but hardly get some love back. However, a neglected dishwasher will become smelly and lower its efficiency.
If you have skipped the chore for more than a month, now it’s time to do it! However, remember to check out the manufacturer’s manual to see if vinegar and baking soda are safe to use.
Here are the steps to clean your dishwasher using only safe products from your kitchen!
Step 1. Wipe the debris
Open your dishwasher and look for any food residue and grime that might be hidden in the corners.
If you haven’t cleaned the appliance for a while, you might find a lot of debris and gunk! Remove the racks to reach every surface in the dishwasher’s interior. Use a paper towel to remove the bits of food you find.
Step 2. Clean the corners and hidden spots
Tackle the hard-to-reach spots where grime might be hiding. Using a soft toothbrush dipped in soapy water, scrub the spray arms, the corners, and the door’s gasket. If inside the appliance’s door looks grimy, wipe it with a soft sponge or a cloth.
Step 3. Remove and clean the filter
Filters are often neglected and even unnoticed. If your dishwasher’s filter is manual, you need to clean it every few weeks.
Look for the filter at the bottom of the appliance. Sometimes, the filter is removable without the need for a screwdriver. If you are having trouble, check out the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Once you remove the filter, rinse it with running water and remove the stuck-on grime in the mesh screen (use a soft toothbrush). Reinstall the filter after cleaning it.
Step 4. Run a vinegar cycle
Vinegar is a mild disinfectant and works as an all-purpose cleaner in most chores. Also, vinegar is one of the top choices for cleaning kitchen appliances because it’s non-toxic and safe to use.
Follow these steps:
- Place a dishwasher-safe cup filled with vinegar inside the empty dishwasher.
- Then, run a complete cycle in a hot setting.
Note:
Keep in mind that some manufacturers don’t recommend using vinegar to clean the dishwasher because it can damage some rubber components in the long run. Check out the manufacturer’s guidelines before using this method.
Step 5. Run a baking soda cycle
At this point, your dishwasher should be clean. However, baking soda can eliminate smells and also work as a mildly abrasive cleaner for any grime left.
To run a baking soda cycle:
- Sprinkle a cup of baking soda in the bottom of your dishwasher.
- Run half a cycle with hot water.
Step 6. Wipe the exterior of the appliance
The finishing touch to leave your dishwasher spotless. Soapy water and a microfiber cloth are enough to remove any fingerprints or dirt on the appliance’s door.
If you want to keep your dishwasher in top shape, clean the exterior surface every time you clean your kitchen cabinets—at least once a week.
Cleaning services in Tampa Bay
Don’t let months pass by without cleaning your dishwasher! If you are on a tight schedule, Happy Home Cleaning Services can help you with the chores! Our services are highly customizable. Just let us know what your needs are!
