Most of us have come to rely on it, to keep it running well its good to know How to Clean Your Dishwasher properly.
As busy families, we rely on our dishwashers to help us get through the day and keep the home relatively clean. At first thought, you would think that something that cleans your home would well be clean. That is until you take a deeper look at this appliance between uses and discover how dirty they really can get. Cleaning your dishwasher helps improve the quality of clean you get from it and help keep your appliance running longer.
How to Clean Your Dishwasher
It is easy to clean your dishwasher, remove soap scum, and kill germs. You should give your dishwasher a good cleaning once a month paying attention to areas where gunk builds up and the efficiency of the appliance can be diminished. If you have very hard water you may need to do this more often.
Clean the Drain
Start by cleaning out the drain where food scraps and get stuck. This creates the ideal breeding ground for germs and attracts pests into the home. Clear out anything found in the drain allowing water to flow freely the way it should. Then clean the filter to remove any build up. Prevent this build up by training your family to scrape and rinse dishes well.
Check the Holes in the Spinning Arm
Wipe down the spinning arm and check the holes to make sure there are not mineral deposits blocking the openings. You can use a very thin bristled brush to clean the holes.
Use a Toothbrush
If you can easily get to all of the parts at the bottom of the machine, grab a soft-bristled toothbrush. It will allow you to reach into the small spaces. Use it to gently clean around the parts at the bottom of the dishwasher.
Use Vinegar
Place a cup full of vinegar on the top rack of your dishwasher. Run a hot wash with only this vinegar. This will get rid of soap scum and kill bacteria.
Add Baking Soda
Repeat the hot wash cycle after sprinkling a cup of baking soda along the bottom of the dishwasher to remove odors and stains missed by the vinegar.
Should You Use Storebought Cleaners?
You can opt to buy dishwasher cleaner that you simply place inside your dishwasher and run empty on a hot cycle to replace the vinegar and baking soda steps reducing the work needed to clean your dishwasher. My favorite is Lemi Shine.
Wipe Down the Door and Seals
Take a washcloth dampened with vinegar and wipe down all of the seals and the detergent door inside your dishwasher. These areas easily grow mold that can harm your family a break down the seals reducing the efficacy of your dishwasher.
Clean the Outside
Use an all-purpose cleaner to wipe down the front of the dishwasher. Use a thin vacuum attachment to vacuum under the dishwasher.