Thanks to this awesome household appliance, time and effort spent on washing dishes by hand are a thing of the past for many people. No one can deny how convenient the invention of a dishwasher truly is, which is why taking care of it and ensuring proper functioning for years to come is important.
Every once in a while, this handy appliance needs to be cleaned and descaled because, believe it or not, the fact that it is practically full of soap and water on a daily basis does very little to keep the inside clean. Food particles, dish detergent which hasn’t dissolved during a wash cycle, and residual grease left behind in the machine’s filtration, drainage system, and interiors, won’t necessarily get cleared away with every wash. Moreover, a dirty dishwasher means it won’t perform at its optimum level, leaving your dishes with dirt spots, an oily film, and perhaps, even a smelly odour.
Fortunately, it’s not hard to learn how to clean your dishwasher thoroughly and today, we are sharing four incredibly simple steps to do just that. Read on!
Step 1: Clean Out the Bottom
Every dishwasher comes equipped with a tray located at the bottom to catch any fallen food bits and/or tiny pieces of broken glass, dishes, or plastic. You should also know that the remnants of food particles left to collect here largely contribute to the foul odour emanating from your dishwasher.
To start off your dishwasher cleaning process, remove the racks and wash them with soap and water. Then, clean out the bottom tray to get rid of large debris, and give it a thorough clean with soapy water and a scrub brush. Finish off by wiping the tray with a damp cloth to rinse off soap residue.
Step 2: Select the Cleaning Agent
Commercial cleaning products are very effective in tackling the hardest and toughest stains while offering sanitising properties as well. They are quite convenient for cleaning a dishwasher quickly as the products are ready to use immediately. On the other hand, if you prefer cleaning agents that have less chemical content and yet, are effective, you can devise your own DIY dishwasher cleaning solution at home.
The two most popular ingredients for this are distilled white vinegar and baking soda. In white vinegar, you have a potent weapon against grime and one that’s acidic enough to cut through mineral deposits. In addition, it packs sanitising properties to eliminate bacteria buildup as well. Baking soda will help to eliminate foul odours, scrub away grease, dislodge food particles, and remove stains.
Step 3: Clean Inside the Dishwasher
The inside of the dishwasher is the most pivotal part to clean. It’s the part of the appliance that is most in contact with your cutlery, dishes, and plates. Here’s how we conduct a deep clean of the inside of a dishwasher for our clients.
Clean out the dishwasher drain
The first step to cleaning inside a dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda is to check the drain of the appliance located under the bottom rack. A lot of fallen debris and food particles end up here and create a blockage which turns into a breeding ground for bacteria. Clean out the drain by wiping with paper towels.
Clean out the spray tube
Do a quick inspection of the arm spray or spray tube for any greasy residue, stuck-on food bit, or film covering the holes. The easiest way to clean out clogged holes includes a toothbrush dipped in vinegar or a soapy solution. Simply scrub the area well and wipe it clean with a paper towel. Bear in mind that this is a removable part and can be cleaned more efficiently when taken out and rinsed off under running water.
Clean the filter
Right below the spray arm, you will find the filter, which is a magnet for food or any other particles during washing cycles. Remove and rinse it under hot, running water, and scrub with a toothbrush dipped in a soapy solution. If you’re not sure how to remove a dishwasher filter, read the owner’s manual for more info. Once cleaned, replace the arm spray and filter.
Put the racks in and run a full cycle
Put the racks back in, fill a small dishwasher-safe bowl with white vinegar, and set in on the topmost rack. Now, it’s time to close the door, turn the setting onto the hottest level, and run a complete cycle.
Sprinkle baking Soda and run the cycle again
When the cycle ends, grab the baking soda and scatter a handful of powder around the bottom part of the unit; allow another wash cycle to run at the hottest level.
Be wary of mould build-up
For those who suffer from allergies, mould or mildew buildup can cause severe health reactions if not cleaned up regularly. For this, a bleach wash can be introduced in the dishwasher cleaning process by pouring a cup of it on the bottom part of the interior (instead of baking soda), and running a complete wash cycle. Keep in mind that bleach should be avoided in dishwashers that comprise stainless steel interiors as it will corrode and discolour the material.
Check for stubborn stains and re-clean
At the end of this cleaning process, grease, grime, and stains will have been removed. However, if you find some stubborn marks on the interior of your dishwasher, tackle them with a toothbrush dipped in soap detergent. After scrubbing these areas, wipe down each interior wall with a clean, damp towel.
Step 4: Cleaning the Exterior of a Dishwasher
The outside of a dishwasher are also prone to dirt and stains even though they do not come into contact with dirty dishes. Grubby fingers and a greasy environment lend a dirty, dull look to the appliance which requires regular cleaning. Using a damp sponge or cloth dipped in a white vinegar and water solution, wipe away all watermarks and oily stains mostly found on the door (inside as well), handle, and dishwasher control panel.
Dirt marks on stainless steel dishwashers are unsightly and easily remedied by using cleaning products designed specifically for the material. These are great at not only cleaning, but help prevent smudges while leaving no streaks behind.
WARNING: Avoid using abrasive cleaning tools and harsh chemical cleaners as both elements will scratch and spoil the look of your shiny dishwasher exterior.
Armed with the information above, you can clean your dishwasher in a jiffy, and keep it running smoothly for years to come! Ideally, once a month should do the trick and with these very effective steps to clean a dishwasher, you can expect a fresh load of sparkling dishes every time!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Clean A Dishwasher With Bleach?
If your dishwasher is made from stainless steel or contains some form of the material, steer clear of bleach as it will damage and discolour the metal. For other types of dishwashers, the use of bleach is effective in cleaning, disinfecting, and getting rid of mould/mildew in the appliance. All you need to do is add 1 cup of bleach to a dishwasher-safe bowl, leave it on the top rack of the dishwasher, and run the appliance. Just a wash cycle is required after which, you may take the bowl out and be rest assured that your dishwasher has been cleaned and sanitised!
How Do I Clean A Dishwasher Drain Trap?
The drain trap in a dishwasher consists of an upper drain (which literally traps large debris), and a lower drain which tends to accumulate sludge and grime buildup over time. In order to clean your drain trap, you must first pull out the bottom rack so that you can access the area freely. Depending on the model you have, you will need to untwist the drain in order to lift and remove it. This removable piece can be cleaned with soap and water in the kitchen sink. For the bottom drain, remove any bits or large debris with your hands, and then wipe it clean using an old kitchen cloth or paper towels. To freshen up the bottom part of the drain trap, make a mild (non-acidic) cleaning solution and wipe it down one final time.
How Often Should I Clean My Dishwasher?
If you have household members who don’t rinse off dishes before they load them into the dishwasher, your drain trap is likely to get clogged often while the interiors will also become grimy rather quickly. To maximise your dishwasher’s performance and extend its lifespan, you should clean the appliance at least once a month.
Can I Just Use Dishwasher Pods?
Dishwasher pods are for help with removing excess dirt and grime from dirty dishes. They won’t clean the internal and external components of your dishwasher, so it’s best to follow the steps above instead of just relying on dishwasher pods to give your dishwasher freshness.
I’m Moving Out Can You Clean My Dishwasher?
We provide a dishwasher cleaning service as a standard no extra charge part of our end of lease cleaning service and as a paid added extra to our deep cleaning service. Use our online booking form to schedule the clean of your dishwasher today.
