Do you ever find yourself unloading your dishwasher and realizing your dishes really aren’t that clean? Random speckles of food particles in your glassware, spaghetti sauce and bits of food still caked onto your plates. Or maybe there’s some foul smell coming from your dishwasher. It can be super frustrating.
Well, when was the last time you cleaned it? Cleaning your dishwasher is something that you should be doing regularly in order to keep it up and running at maximum efficiency! Thankfully cleaning your dishwasher is a process that takes minimum effort. Here’s our beginner’s guide on how to clean your dishwasher.
The reason you might need to clean your dishwasher
Cleaning your dishwasher probably isn’t something you think about too often, but giving it a proper cleaning at least once every few months is essential. Food isn’t always cleared after each cycle and it can quickly build up causing your dishwasher to clog, smell bad, and leave your dishes looking gross!
Option 1
The first thing you’ll want to do is remove all racking from inside your dishwasher. With the racking removed, inspect around the dishwasher drain and filter and clean up any gunk or food residue you see. Next, we’re going to remove the dishwasher filter. In most modern dishwashers, you should be able to remove the filter with a simple turn of the filter and at most a standard screwdriver. If you’re unsure, be sure to look up the proper instructions in your dishwasher’s user manual.
Let the filter soak in a bowl of hot soapy water, and then gently scrub with a toothbrush or other bristle-based scrub with similar strength. Be sure to properly reinstall the filter on the bottom of the dishwasher.
Next, you’ll want to check the spray arms of your dishwasher. Go over them with hot soapy water and be sure to poke all the holes with a pipe cleaner to ensure there are no blockages or build-ups in the spray arms.
If you’re more of a visual learner, we highly recommend checking out this great how-to walk throughs from Appliance Educator . They have lots of great informational videos for all types of home improvement and DIY projects.
Option 2
If you find yourself completing option 1, but your dishwasher still has unwanted grime or gunk Option 2 might be a bit more helpful in giving your dishwasher a deep clean.
Grab a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl, and place it on the top rack of your dishwasher. Run your dishwasher on its hottest setting. After the cycle ends, skip the drying cycle and let your dishwasher air dry.
Once the dishwasher is dry, sprinkle some baking soda on the floor of the dishwasher, and run for a short cycle on the hottest setting. Again, skip the drying cycle and let your dishwasher air dry.
What not to do.
We advise steering clear of harmful chemicals when you’re cleaning the inside of your dishwasher, especially if your dishwasher has stainless steel parts. Chemicals like bleach can destroy the finish and ruin your dishwasher.
Don’t forget about the outside of your dishwasher.
While the inside is the most crucial part of cleaning your dishwasher, don’t neglect the dishwasher door! If your dishwasher has a stainless steel door we suggest using Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner. For most other finishes, soapy water should do the trick, but if you’re unsure we advise looking into your user manual for more information.
If You’re In The Market
If you find your dishwasher isn’t performing up to your expectations, we offer the best upgrade options in both 18” and 24” sizes: The ZLINE 18” & 24" Top Control Dishwasher.
Both dishwashers are top of the line and boast an easy-to-read top control panel that features 6 different cleaning cycles. The dishwashers are ENERGY STAR compliant and feature eco-friendly settings that save energy and water consumption up to 30%.
Two of the main reasons why we love these dishwashers are their low noise levels and the customization options that are available thanks to their panel-ready design. You can even install your own custom-approved panel to seamlessly match your cabinetry or other finishes within your kitchen.
We hope these tips help the next time you clean out your dishwasher, if you have any questions, or need help with purchasing a new one, please reach out to us and we’d be happy to assist.
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