Dishwasher Cleaning Basics: Top Methods and Tips
We’ve all been there — you run your dishwasher, only to have dirty, crusty dishes. What gives? It may be time to deep clean your dishwasher.
Keeping your dishwasher clean ensures your dishes come out spotless and extends the life of your appliance and is easier to do than it might seem
We have created an easy guide to keeping your dishwasher clean with just a few simple steps. Read on to get advice from house cleaning pros on how to clean a dishwasher using common household ingredients.
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How To Clean a Dishwasher: 3 Common Methods
There are some easy-to-spot signs that your dishwasher needs to be cleaned. These can include:
Bad odor
Dirty dishes, even after a wash cycle
Silt in glasses and mugs
If any of these sound familiar, it is time to clean your dishwasher. It is a myth that only harsh chemicals can properly clean your home. The truth is there are lots of ways to clean your dishwasher with non-toxic, inexpensive household items. We’ve gathered a list of the best ways to clean a stinky dishwasher without harsh cleaners.
To learn more about non-toxic ways to clean your home, check out Tidy Up Portland! — the Portland metro area’s premier cleaning service, offering top-notch cleaning that is non-toxic and safe for pets and children.
#1: Vinegar and Baking Soda
Vinegar and baking soda are some of the oldest “cleaning hacks” there are, causing countless people to use this science-fair-volcano reaction to get things like dishwasher filters clean. However, there is a lot of misinformation about how this cleaning method works, so it's important to use it correctly.
Vinegar is mildly acidic, and baking soda is a base. Together, they create a foamy reaction that creates bubbles, perfect for lifting coated-on grime.
The best way to use baking soda and vinegar to clean your dishwasher is to use it to clean your filter. Take your dishwasher filter and rinse it thoroughly. Then use water and baking soda to create a “paste” to coat the filter. Place the filter in white vinegar and watch the bubbles magically lift away the smelly grime!
Baking soda and vinegar are a great way to clean dishwasher components, but it is essential to note two things:
Baking soda cancels out the cleaning properties of vinegar. After the foaming chemical reaction, all that is left behind is some salt. Vinegar and baking soda are a good way to loosen up mess, but it does not act as a cleaner on its own. You should use additional cleaning products to sanitize if you wish.
Be sure to only use cleaning vinegar or, in a pinch, plain white vinegar. Avoid balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, etc. — these kinds of vinegar contain sugar that can feed biofilm like pink slime, making the problem worse. Regular baking soda is fine, though cleaning baking soda is stronger.
Baking soda alone is also a good dishwasher cleaner. To use, pour about ¼ a cup of baking soda at the bottom of the dishwasher, let it sit for deodorizing, and then run the empty dishwasher on hot. You will be surprised how well it cleans even the stinkiest dishwasher.
#2: Lemon Juice
Lemon juice (and rinds) are natural cleaning and deodorizing agents. The acidity of the lemon makes it perfect for removing grime and limescale without harsh chemicals, and with a naturally pleasant scent.
To clean your dishwasher with lemon juice, put ½ cup in a glass container on the top rack and run your empty dishwasher. Don’t have lemon juice on hand? A lemon rind also works as well to clean and deodorize.
#3: Dishwasher Cleaner
When in doubt, consider purchasing some dishwasher cleaner — there are several non-toxic brands on the market. Don’t want to buy more products? You can just use the dishwashing detergent you already have. Simply add the detergent and run the dishwasher on empty at the highest setting.
Make Sure To Clean These Dishwasher Parts
Dishwashers are full of nooks and crannies where stinky bacteria and grime can hide. When learning how to deep clean a dishwasher, be sure to remove and clean all of the individual parts to ensure a thorough clean that leaves your dishwasher odor-free and functioning at its best.
Here are a few of the dishwasher segments to pay special attention to while cleaning:
Removable Parts
Be sure to take out any dishwasher removable parts and clean them thoroughly by hand. These can include the cutlery basket and the filter.
To have a clean dishwasher you need to know how to clean a dishwasher filter. Cleaning the filter is especially important, as a clogged dishwasher filter is to blame for many common dishwasher problems such as foul odor, slow drainage, and dirty dishes. Dishwasher filters can be cleaned with baking soda and vinegar, as well as dish soap and warm water.
Door, Gaskets, Drain, and Spray Arm
If you are having trouble getting your dishwasher clean even after running it on empty, you may need to clean the drain and spray arm. Follow the instructions for your dishwasher to remove these pieces. They can be washed with regular dish soap and water. Check for hard water deposits that can clog the spraying nozzles, making them less efficient for cleaning.
The door and rubber gaskets are also great hiding places for stinky mildew and food debris. Use a rag and white vinegar to thoroughly wipe down these areas. Some dishwashers have removable gaskets that can be soaked in a vinegar water solution to kill mold, mildew, and bacteria.
Exterior
Last, but not least, clean the exterior of the dishwasher door. If your dishwasher door is plastic, a simple cleaning solution of vinegar and soapy water is enough to remove any dirt or fingerprints.
For stainless steel appliances, it is a little more complicated. Tidy Up Portland! has several suggestions on the best way to clean stainless steel appliances with non-toxic cleaning supplies from your home.
Why It’s Important To Clean Your Dishwasher
Why bother washing your dishwasher, surely it cleans itself during regular dishwashing cycles?
Unfortunately, no. Dishwashers are like any household appliance, they require maintenance to keep functioning their best. If you don’t regularly check and clean the filters and interior of your dishwasher, you risk a buildup of hard water deposits, grime, food debris, and bacteria that quickly turn into a big smelly mess. Regular dishwasher cleaning is the best way to extend the life and usability of your appliance.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher?
How often you should clean your dishwasher depends on a few factors, such as how often you use it and what kind of dishwasher you have. Dishwashers that rarely get used are going to need less maintenance than ones that do. Most manufacturers suggest cleaning your dishwasher at least once a month to prevent the filter from becoming clogged with food debris and hard water deposits. A clogged filter is one of the biggest culprits of smelly dishwashers and unclean dishes.
Does cleaning your dishwasher seem overwhelming? Consider reaching out to Tidy Up Portland! Our custom cleaning services can help you deep clean your dishwasher to get it working as good as new!
Trust the Team at Tidy Up Portland! To Clean Your Kitchen From Top to Bottom
Are you ready to get a clean home with minimum effort? Tidy Up Portland! is bringing non-toxic cleaning to the 21st century. Not only do our cleaners offer child and pet-safe thorough home cleanings, but Tidy Up Portland! is one of the only cleaners in the area that offers online booking through our website.
No long phone calls or wait times, just clean homes. We offer maintenance cleaning, deep cleaning, and a customized “mommy’s helper” package, designed to help new parents by putting away dishes or moving over laundry.
Check out our website to book your first cleaning today.
