Cleaning the dishes is a thankless task, but something we all have to do. The good news is that with a little bit of organization and some simple techniques you can make the job a whole lot easier. Keeping your kitchen organized and your surfaces clean also means that you are less likely to get attacks of stress as soon as you open the cupboard. So how do you clean the dishwasher? It doesn’t take long for this appliance to become dirty and filled with bacteria. You should give it a thorough cleaning every once in a while. When cleaning the dishwasher, you want to remove any stains or leftover residue from old soap, sanitize it, and leave it smelling nice. Luckily, cleaning the dishwasher does not take long at all. Read on for our advice on how to clean dishwasher and keep it fresh and clean indefinitely!
Cleaning Dishwasher Basics
First, let’s talk basics. The dishwasher is a wonderful appliance. It takes a job that would take hours and turns it into a 30-minute affair that requires no effort. Unfortunately, this means that it is exposed to lots of food and grime, so you have to clean it regularly. Dishwashers work by taking water that is hot enough to kill most types of bacteria, then using a series of sprays to rinse the dishes. This is why you should use detergent in the machine — it helps break the food down. When cleaning the dishwasher, start with the interior. Clean the walls, the racks, and the filters. Next, move on to the exterior components. Clean the door, control panel, and the exterior of the machine. It’s also a good idea to give the waterlines inside the dishwasher a quick flush out with a garden hose.
Weekly Cleaning
The truth is that you should clean your dishwasher regularly, even if it’s brand new. It’s a good idea to clean the machine once a week. This will keep the machine in good condition, ensure it works well and most importantly, keep your dishes clean. If you don’t clean your dishwasher on a regular basis, it can start to smell bad, grow mold, and harbor bacteria. You can avoid all these issues by cleaning your dishwasher weekly. To clean your dishwasher, start by setting it to a heavy cleaning cycle (if your dishwasher has this option). Next, open the door and remove the filter. Clean both thoroughly. Finally, give the interior of the machine a quick wipe down.
Every-few-weeks Deep Cleaning
You want to give your dishwasher a thorough deep cleaning every few weeks. This will remove any grime that has built up in the machine and make sure that the dishwasher is working to its full potential. To do this, you are going to have to put a bit more work in. First, unplug the machine. You don’t want to get shocked. Next, remove any racks and clean them thoroughly. You can also remove the pump if you want to get it clean. To clean the interior of the machine, you’ll need water, baking soda, vinegar, and lemon. First, fill the machine with water and baking soda. Put one cup of baking soda in the machine, though you can add more if you want. Next, fill the machine with enough water to cover the top rack. Put the top rack inside and put the machine on a heavy cleaning cycle. While the machine is cleaning, mix two cups of vinegar with two cups of water. When the cycle is finished, open the door and pour the vinegar and water solution into the machine. Put the top rack back in and run another cycle with the vinegar solution. When the machine has cleaned, wipe out the machine and leave the door open to dry.
How to Clean a Dishwasher: Step by Step
– Open the door – This will let you see what you are dealing with. You don’t want to spray cleaning products into a closed machine. Also, it will help you see if there is anything wrong with the machine. – Clean the filter – Take the filter out and give it a thorough cleaning. If it is really bad, you may want to replace it. If you have hard water, the filter may get clogged with minerals. – Clean the interior – Get your water and baking soda mix ready. You can use vinegar as well, but you do have to be careful when working with electrical appliances. Put the water and baking soda in the machine and run a cycle with the top rack inside. – Clean the exterior – Give the exterior of the dishwasher a quick wipe down with a damp cloth. Don’t use soap as it will build up inside the machine. – Open the door – Leave the door open to dry for a few hours.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Step
If your dishwasher is exceptionally dirty, you may want to add vinegar to the baking soda. Pour two cups of baking soda into the bottom of the dishwasher. Add two cups of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser. Put the top rack in the machine. Turn the dishwasher on to its longest cycle. During the cycle, the baking soda and vinegar will fizz. This will clean the machine and leave it smelling nice. You can also use vinegar as a cleaning agent when cleaning the inside of the dishwasher. Pour a cup of vinegar into the water and baking soda mix. This will help break down any stuck-on food in the interior of the machine.
Lemon Step
If your dishwasher doesn’t smell clean even after the baking soda and vinegar cleaning, pour a half cup of lemon juice into the machine. Put the top rack inside. Put a few slices of lemon on the bottom of the machine. Run a heavy cycle with the top rack inside. This will break down any stuck-on food and leave the machine smelling nice. You can also use lemon as a cleaning agent when cleaning the interior of the dishwasher. Put a few slices of lemon in the bottom of the machine. Put the top rack inside the machine with a cup of lemon juice on it. Run a heavy cleaning cycle.
Vinegar Step
If your dishwasher is clean, but it still doesn’t smell clean, spray the inside of the machine with a vinegar and water mix. Put two cups of white vinegar in a spray bottle and fill it with water. Spray the inside of the machine. This should leave the machine smelling nice and clean. You can also use vinegar as a cleaning agent when cleaning the interior of the dishwasher. Put two cups of vinegar in the bottom of the machine. Put the top rack in the machine and pour a cup of vinegar over the top rack. Run a heavy cycle with the top rack inside the machine.
Conclusion
So there you have it; how to clean dishwasher. This can be a real challenge for many people as it’s not something that we do often! It’s best to clean your dishwasher regularly to avoid grime and bacteria build up. If you follow these steps you should be able to keep your dishwasher clean, smelling fresh, and performing like new.