Maintaining a clean and hygienic dishwasher is essential to prevent the buildup of bacteria and mold. Fortunately, the process is simpler than you might think!
With the help of experienced housekeepers, you can easily deep-clean your dishwasher and ensure its optimal performance. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to effectively clean your dishwasher, so you can enjoy spotless dishes and peace of mind.
Let’s dive in and discover the easy-peasy way to keep your dishwasher sparkling clean!
Do dishwashers clean themselves? Why it’s important to clean them!
No, dishwashers don’t clean themselves, and they can get full of bacteria and fungi. A dark and damped place filled with bits of food is perfect for many kinds of microbes.
But even if you are careful enough to remove the crumbs and food residue, the water itself can stain it! Madison has hard water—in other words, it contains minerals that can build up inside the dishwasher!
You can avoid this with the following easy steps!
Step 1. Clean inside the dishwasher
Remove everything inside the appliance and leave the parts in the sink. Then, use a paper towel to wipe the debris and grime. What you find inside the appliance depends on how much time has passed since the last cleaning! It could go from small food particles to mold!
After wiping the residue, remove the filter according to the manufacturer’s manual. Grab an old soft toothbrush and use it to scrub the hard-to-reach areas inside the dishwasher. Scrub the door gasket and other rubber seals thoroughly.
Step 2. Run two cycles: one with vinegar and another with baking soda
Most DIY cleaning hacks contain at least one of these two excellent and natural products—it’s no surprise! Vinegar works as a cleaner agent and mildly disinfectant, while baking soda is great for absorbing odors!
Clean your dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda this way:
- Place a dishwasher-safe bowl filled with white vinegar inside the appliance.
- Run a full cycle with warm water.
- Then, sprinkle baking soda inside.
- Run half a cycle with warm water!
Warning!
Check the manufacturer’s guidelines before using vinegar. Is vinegar bad for dishwashers? It depends. In the long run, vinegar could damage the rubber components of some models. Make sure it’s safe to use in your appliance!
Step 3. Wash the components
Handwash every removable component retired in the first step! Give special attention to the filter—if the mesh is dirty, use the soft toothbrush to scrub it! Leave the components air-dry before assembling them back into the appliance.
Step 4. Wipe the exterior of your dishwasher
Now, the finishing touches! Using a slightly damp microfiber cloth, wipe all the exterior surfaces of your appliance. You can use warm soapy water if there are tough grease stains to clean! If your dishwasher’s exterior is made of stainless steel, wipe it following the grain!
You can do this step as part of your regular cleaning.
Now that your dishwasher is squeaky clean, move on to the next chore!
Did you finish cleaning? Check out all our cleaning tips here and prevent germs or mold inside your entire home! 4 Senses House Cleaning can make your chores easier! If you don’t have the time for housework, we do it for you! Check out our services here.
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