Below will tell you how to clean a dishwasher, including how to clean a dishwasher door, a dishwasher tub, a dishwasher filter, dishwasher accessories and parts, remove dishwasher rust stains, and deep clean your dishwasher with vinegar.
Regularly cleaning the inside of your dishwasher is an easy way to help prevent a smelly dishwasher and the build-up of detergent, minerals and dirt that can cause your dishwasher to not clean properly.
How to Clean a Dishwasher?
It doesn’t take much time or effort to clean your odorous dishwasher, nor is it necessary to do so frequently. In fact, monthly cleaning can keep your dishwasher looking like new and running well.
How to Clean a Dishwasher Door?
Clean the Dishwasher Exterior
Use warm, sudsy water to wipe the dishwasher door’s exterior to prevent fingerprints. Or use a homemade dishwasher cleaner. Add one quart of water to 1/4 cup baking soda. Avoid using harsh cleaners or scouring pads that are too aggressive as these could damage the dishwasher’s finish. After cleaning the door, use a soft cloth to dry it off. Wipe away tricky fingerprints and smudges with a little rubbing alcohol on a soft, dry cloth.
Nobody would be critical of you if you assumed that a dishwasher uses a sizable amount of water for each load. After all, one of the largest appliances in your home is usually this one. You may have wondered how much water does a dishwasher use.
Clean Inside the Dishwasher Door
You can reach the top and sides of the dishwasher by opening the door. Scrub the doorframe with a tiny toothbrush dipped in hot, soapy water. Make sure to look inside any crevices, such as the hinges and the grooves on the rubber seal. If there is a lot of buildup, this step might require gentle scrubbing with an abrasive cleanser. Use an ordinary sponge dipped in hot, soapy water to remove the resulting grime. Use a clean, wet sponge to remove any cleaning solution that was left behind.
How to Clean a Dishwasher Tub?
To get rid of the main causes of odors, clean out the tub of your dishwasher.
Remove Debris
To remove any dirt from the dishwasher’s base, gather it up with a few paper towels. Most of the debris is concentrated near the drain.
Run the Dishwasher
Run a cycle to clean the dishwasher after the debris has been taken out. (It needs to be emptied.) There are several DIY dishwasher cleaners that you can use. Here’s how to clean a dishwasher with vinegar: simply set a dishwasher-safe cup of plain white vinegar on the top rack. Run a full cycle after that while rinsing the appliance with the hottest water you can find to disinfect it.
Wipe Out the Inside
After the cycle is finished, use paper towels or a fresh, dry cloth to clean the inside of the dishwasher.
You can use a packet of unsweetened lemonade mix in the soap cup in place of the vinegar. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda on the bottom of the tub to learn how to use it to clean your dishwasher as well. Use the hottest water you can to complete a cycle for both approaches. Each will assist in sanitizing and enhancing your dishwasher.
How to Clean Dishwasher Accessories and Parts?
Maintain the parts and accessories of the dishwasher. Discard the hooks and holders for utensils. Remove any food or other debris that has become stuck on. To clear clogs, scrub the spray arm with a gentle brush or toothbrush.
How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter?
Remove and Clean the Filter
Pull the bottom rack all the way out to access the dishwasher filter. The filter is typically found in one of the appliance’s back, bottom corners. If your filter is detachable, twist it off the dishwasher, then rinse it under hot running water to get rid of any food particles or other debris.
Clean under the Filter
Use a moist cloth, sponge, or toothbrush to clean the region inside the dishwasher that is directly below the filter. Reinstall the cleaned dishwasher filter after it has been cleaned.
Be aware that different appliances have very different filters. To find out how to clean your dishwasher filter specifically, consult your owner’s manual. (Don’t have the instruction manual? They can be found on the websites of many manufacturers.) Check for more detailed information.
How to Remove Dishwasher Rust Stains?
You might notice mineral or rust stains inside your dishwasher, depending on your water source and the condition of your pipes.
Run Empty Dishwasher
If you have rust stains on your clothes or appliances, look in the laundry detergent section of your local home improvement store. Put the item in the soap dispenser cup of your dishwasher and generously sprinkle some on the bottom. Complete a cleaning cycle in the vacant dishwasher.
Remediate Rust Problems
Rust stains have a systemic origin (for instance, your water comes from a private well or your home’s pipes are rusty), you will likely need to repeat this process on a regular basis unless you take care of the problems at their source. Asking a plumber to install a filter that can aid in rust control may also be something you want to do. Suggested reading: How long do dishwashers last? This guide will tell you how to prolong the life of your dishwasher and keep it in good working condition.
How to Deep-clean Your Dishwasher With Vinegar?
If you decide to tackle residue and buildup on your own, try vinegar in a clean dishwasher.
- To clean your dishwasher with vinegar, place a dishwasher-safe bowl filled with one cup of distilled white vinegar on the top rack and run a pots-and-pans or heavy (hot) cycle without detergent or dishes.
- To clean your dishwasher with vinegar and baking sodafor extra freshening, after running the vinegar cycle, sprinkle a cup of baking soda in the bottom of your empty dishwasher and run a short or quick cycle.
Can You Clean Your Dishwasher With Bleach?
No, bleach and cleaners containing bleach are not advised, especially if the dishwasher’s interior is stainless steel. Bleach is sometimes used in dishwasher detergents, but only to get rid of tea and coffee stains on cups and other dinnerware. Additionally, avoid mixing vinegar and bleach together as the result could be deadly chlorine gas.
How Often to Clean a Dishwasher?
A soft-bristle brush, baking soda, and distilled white vinegar are common household items that can be used for routine monthly cleaning. Give the appliance a more thorough cleaning, requiring a few additional items, once or twice a year. Remember to also clean the dishwasher’s exterior. Clean this at least once a week or as often as necessary to get rid of dirt.
How to Prevent a Smelly Dishwasher?
When food particles and water are combined, smells are inevitable. However, the following can keep odors at bay and help your dishwasher stay clean for longer:
- Thoroughly rinse dishes and silverware before placing them in the dishwasher
- Deep-clean your dishwasher once every one to four months
- Clean the dishwasher drain and filter at least once a month
- Run vinegar and baking soda cycles every two weeks
- Double-check that the water used in the dishwasher is running hot
- Don’t run other hot water appliances while the washer runs to avoid diverting resources
- Keep your dishwasher cracked open when not in use to prevent mildew and mold
- Place newspaper and/or a bowl of baking soda in the dishwasher when it’s not used for an extended period of time (like when you’re on vacation)
Tips to Keep a Dishwasher Clean Longer
- Maintain a consistent cleaning schedule for your dishwasher. Or, at the very least, immediately clean up any debris in the dishwasher and/or any areas where your dishes aren’t getting clean.
- Before putting dishes in the dishwasher, rinse any food debris off of them.
- Make sure the dishwasher doesn’t contain any food stickers or other items that are difficult to dissolve.
- To ensure that the water can circulate easily, avoid overloading a dishwasher.
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So, How to Clean a Dishwasher?
It’s simpler than you might think to clean your dishwasher. Simply place a dishwasher-safe bowl filled with 1 cup of white vinegar on the top rack of a full dishwasher. then select the hot water cycle for the dishwasher to operate on. The vinegar’s acidity aids in the disintegration of soap residue and grime.
