How to Clean a Dishwasher

When is the last time you washed your dishwasher?

When it comes to home improvement projects, rarely does appliance maintenance top the list. It's wise to keep in mind that all appliances throughout your home require routine maintenance and thorough cleaning is one of the most important tasks you can complete. Even though it may seem like your dishwasher doesn't require intensive cleaning — after all, its job is to clean itself during every use — you actually need to give this machine the same care and upkeep that you give the other water-based systems of your home.

Believe it or not, your dishwasher is much dirtier than you realize. When regular cleaning is neglected, food particles, water minerals, grease, undissolved detergent, and other undesirable substances build up inside the machine. Not only can this create odors and a less than flattering appearance, but these particles also prevent your dishwasher from running optimally. Keep in mind, a dirty dishwasher means dirty dishes even after you've "cleaned" them.

When to Clean a Dishwasher

Thankfully, cleaning your dishwasher does not need to be an arduous task. In fact, once you understand where particles and substances get trapped, you can easily stick to a cleaning routine that can be completed in minutes.

How often should cleaning your dishwasher be added to your home improvement checklist? At the very least, you should give your full dishwasher a thorough cleaning once a month. However, we recommend performing certain tasks on a daily or weekly basis to see the best results:

• Remove all leftover food particles that collect in the bottom of the dishwasher after every cycle.
• Wipe away the grime that settles on the inside, edges, and outside of the door.
• Take out the filter and scrub it with hot water.

How to Clean a Dishwasher

Performing these tasks daily or weekly can help you keep your dishwasher cleaner, however, the machine still requires the occasional deep clean to remove built-up grime and strong odors. Follow these steps monthly to ensure that your dishwasher looks and smells clean:

1. Remove components from the dishwasher including any racks, filters or grates that are easily removable.
2. Clean these components using soap and water. You can also use a toothbrush or scrub brush with fine bristles to ensure all food particles and water deposits are removed from every nook and cranny.
3. Clean the inside of the dishwasher using soapy water or a rag soaked in vinegar. This includes the inside of the door, all walls, the base, and the door seal.
4. After you've cleaned the machine by hand, fill a measuring cup with vinegar and place it in the dishwasher during an empty cycle. This will help clean out hard water deposits.
5. Once this cycle is complete, run another short cycle with baking soda lining the base of the dishwasher. Let the dishwasher dry with the door open to leave it smelling fresh.
6. If there are lingering odors or discolorations, there are many products that can remove these problems such as bleach, detergent additives, hard water removing solutions or a dishwasher cleaner. Be sure to check your manufacturer's instruction manual before using bleach or any other harsh solutions on your machine.

Keeping your dishwasher clean will keep your dishes spotless! By adding our step-by-step guide to your home improvement checklist each month and performing a quick weekly wipe-down, you can eliminate odors and ensure that your dishwasher runs efficiently all year long!

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