Dishwasher Maintenance: How to Thoroughly Clean Your Dishwasher
Is your dishwasher not working as well as it used to? Before you decide to call it quits, when was the last time you cleaned your dishwasher?
Soap build up, mold and other grime is actually very common in appliances, especially ones that use a lot of water. These appliances need to be cleaned every now and then to make sure that they not only work efficiently, but to increase their lifespan. A dirty interior might not only be a sign that your dishwasher is dirty, but may also need to be repaired. If you live in the Surrey area, a Quick Appliance Repair will help diagnose and repair your dishwasher for a great price. But before you call for a technician, lets make sure that dishwasher doesn’t just need a quick clean first.
Cleaning Steps
First, make sure your dishwasher is empty; then take a quick look at the inside for any noticable grime or leftover food debris that got stuck. Remove the dish racks and utensil holders and place them in a sink full of either vinegar and water or cleaning solution and water then allow everything to soak.
Next, taking a cloth, hot water and either vinegar-water or a cleaning solution and wipe around the edges of the door, around the gasket, the walls of the interior, and the bottom to remove mildew, mold and other grime. You can also use an old toothbrush to get into tight corners or hard to reach areas. When the interior is clean, you can do the same to the exterior. If there is a lot of caked on grime on the bottom, take a scraper and carefully scrape it off the bottom.
Once you are satisfied to the inside, finish cleaning the racks and holders that have been soaking in the sink. Take a cloth and scrub off any debris that is still cake on, and give everything a quick wipe down. When everything is clean, put them back into place inside the dishwasher.
When everything is back in place, run an empty cycle to give everything a final clean. You can use a couple of different things for this, including:
- Vinegar and water
- A small amount of bleach
- Lemon juice and baking soda
- Your regular detergent
All of these will do the trick and give you a clean dishwasher. Remember, don’t use bleach if you have a stainless steel door or interior, and avoid mixing bleach with other cleaners.
Other Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
Air dry: If you notice mold and mildew are a recurring problem, try keeping the dishwasher door opened for a bit to allow the inside to air dry. This will keep moisture from staying and preventing more mold and mildew from reoccurring.
Regular use: Use your dishwasher regularly to avoid build up, making it easier to clean your dishwasher. This also means you won’t have to clean it as often.
Don’t overfill: Avoid overfilling your dishwasher; If there is too much stuff inside during a cycle it make it harder for water to reach every surface. Try hand washing a couple of things, especially if there is a lot of caked on food debris, or try doing two smaller loads. It may be more work for you, but it will avoid having to rewash dishes later.
Vinegar soak: Soak the spray arms in vinegar to remove small bits of food debris from inside the holds. The vinegar will also help break down build up from your detergent.
Clean the filter: Don’t forget to clean the filter! You’d be surprised how much can get clogged in those. Dump the grime and build up into the garbage, and take a cloth and hot water, rinse the filter off before replacing it back inside. If it’s really gross, let it soak in water and vinegar first to break down the grime.
