How to clean dishwasher tips

How to keep your dishwasher clean and, thus, to avoid the above mentioned issues? We are sharing the most cost-effective and sufficient tips aiming to reach a shining cleanness of kitchenware and keep a smooth running of your dishwasher for a long time.

Remove bits of food

After each dishwashing cycle remove all remains of food out of your dishwasher. Discard bottom rack and with the help of paper towel try to get rid of various parts of food: peas, meat, pasta etc. Usually lodged bits of food is a source of unpleasant smell and any build up.

Wipe away door grime

Next step is to clean the door grime. Use a damp sponge (cloth) and a natural cleanser for a careful cleaning of interior parts the door, namely its surface, edges, handle etc. Apply a soft toothbrush to clean up any stubborn spots and dirt.

Remove and rinse the filter

It’s time to get a filter clean. Pull it out from the spinning water spout that is located at the bottom of your dishwasher. You will easily get the filter from the assembly, having rotated it counter-clockwise. Put the filter under the warm running water. Rub it using a dishwashing soap and sponge. A toothbrush will be a suitable tool to scour frames and crevices. Afterwards, rinse it and let it get dried. Now you can put the filter back to its place and set it having made a clockwise turn.

Monthly: Give it a deep clean

Monthly cleaning of your dishwasher is an insurance of its constant effective work, and it will prevent debris and mold from building up. There are two efficient ways of its cleaning: tablet cleaning or a homemade solution with a white vinegar. Before using the cleaning tablets, read instructions and strictly follow them. Cleaning with vinegar is also easy and quick. Put a cup (250ml) filled with a white vinegar on the top rack. Dishwasher should be without any dishes and detergent. Start the hottest cycle available.

How to clean a smelly dishwasher

White vinegar and baking soda are the best odor-fighters which are completely safe for both your dishwasher and your health. Place a cup of white vinegar on the top rack of the empty dishwasher and run it at the highest heat.
The vinegar’s acids will remove any builds up and a bad smell. Once the cycle is completed, take away a cup. Spread a baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher. Start it cycling again at the same temperature until the baking soda is dissolved. Baking soda will disinfect and clean the dishwasher interior.

How to clean a clogged dishwasher

One of the common reasons why your dishwasher is not draining properly can be a clogged air gap. Unscrew the bolds and take the air gap out from the inside of the sink cabinet. Remove hoses and make sure they are not clogged. Clean away any obvious debris like any trapped particles and hair around the inside and outside of the air gap. If you face any stubborn dirt, apply the toothbrush. Thoroughly rinse the air gap. Afterwards, place it in its original position and fix hoses. Run a cycle to ensure there are no blockages or leaks.

How to clean a moldy dishwasher

The wet and dark inside of your dishwasher together with food particles is a perfect area for mold accumulations. The best solution to fight the mold is a mix of baking soda and vinegar. Add a small amount of baking soda into a cup filled with a white vinegar until a foamy paste is created. Such a paste will kill most of bacteria in the most hardly reachable places like crevices, cracks and rubber parts. Clean the entire interior of your dishwasher, and afterwards let it cycle at the hottest temperature.
To prevent mold, make such a cleaning at least once a month. When the dishwasher in not in use, keep the door slightly open to let air circulate inside.

How to clean a dishwasher drain

Since food particles and grease run through dishwasher drain every day, it also needs a periodic cleaning. The clean dishwasher drain will increase dishwasher’s efficiency.
Before its cleaning, make sure you have disconnected the power. Discard the bottom rack from your dishwasher in order to gain access to the drain. Unscrew bolts to release the drain catch and the filter. Now you can see the inside of the drain. If it is clogged, you can remove any kind of debris with the help of a straightened wire hanger.
For additional cleaning, mix baking soda and vinegar and pour this mixture into the drain. After 15 minutes pour the hot water into the drain to get rid of any remaining debris. Place the drain catch and filter back. Run the cleaning cycle you usually use.

How to clean a dishwasher filter

To let the dishwasher filter do its job properly, you should take a few minutes per month to clean it from a clogged food and debris that is actually inevitable.
Empty the dishwasher and discard the bottom rack out. You will find the filter on the bottom of your dishwasher. Unscrew the filter and pull it out. Clean the filter from food particles and let it soak in the warm soapy water for 10-15mins. Mix together half of a cup baking soda, half of a cup of salt and a cup of bleach and pour this mixture into the bottom of the dishwasher. Leave it so for several hours. Place the clean filter back into its position. Afterwards, cycle your dishwasher in a usual mode without dishes.

How to clean a dishwasher with vinegar

Although cleaning the dishwasher with water and cleanser is also possible, still we insist on cleaning your appliance using a white vinegar. Its acids disinfect the interior of the dishwasher, removes unpleasant odor and keeps your dishwasher clean for a longer time.
Place a cup with white vinegar (250ml) on the top rack of your dishwasher and set it run at the hottest temperature while it is empty. Such an easy process will clean and disinfect your dishwashing machine from the inside out.

How to clean a dishwasher without vinegar

In case you are prejudiced against vinegar strong acids, you can buy a rinse aid that is formulated to be used only for dishwashers. The rinse aids are also acidic, but the level of acids is not that high like in a white vinegar. Yes, there can be some small amounts of vinegar in a rinse aid, nevertheless, its action won’t damage rubber and hoses in your dishwasher.
Another solution is to find a vinegar with 5% acetic acid. Its acid concentration is law, and it is safe to be used in cleaning purposes. Put a cup of a rinse aid or a vinegar of 5% acidity on the top rack and start a hot water cycle, when your dishwasher is empty.

How to clean a dishwasher with baking soda

Baking soda is a natural cost-effective and practical abrasive and deodorizer. It dissolves debris and absorbs unpleasant smells. Remove all dishes from your dishwashing machine, and discard the bottom rack. Spread a cup or two of baking soda on the bottom of your dishwasher.
Run a cleaning cycle at the hottest temperature, and afterwards leave the door open to let the air circulate inside. Baking soda will make the inside clean and shining.

How to clean a dishwasher with bleach

Cleaning your dishwasher with a liquid bleach is a good and quick solution. The bleach easily removes any kind of mold and food builds up. Before cleaning with bleach, please wear rubber gloves and a mask; try to keep it away from your face. Make a spray: fill a spray bottle with 1 liter of warm water and add a half of a teaspoon bleach into it. Thoroughly shake the bottle. Never mix bleach with a vinegar, ammonia or rubbing alcohol. Use only the cold or warm water (not boiling). You can apply this spray to clean by hand the interior and exterior parts of your dishwasher.
You can also run the cycle with the bleach. Beware that bleach is not appropriate for dishwashers made of stainless steel. Put a bowl filled with the bleach measured with a measuring cup on the top rack and run your empty dishwasher at the highest heat.
In case you experience difficulties with your dishwashing machine, certified technicians of Care&Repair are ready to provide the warranty repair and maintenance services of any brand and make (Bosch, Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, LG etc). Feel free to contact us any convenient time 24/7.