How to Clean Your Dishwasher Like an Expert

If your dishwasher has started to give off a foul odour or you notice that your utensils are not coming out looking clean, maybe it is time to clean your dishwasher.

Why You Should Clean Your Dishwasher?

Food bits combined with soap residue and minerals collect in your dishwasher filter. This gunk build up interferes with the performance of your dishwasher. Leaving this slurry unattended can result in damage of your dishwasher’s pump and filter. Ultimately, leading to avoidable, expensive repairs. So, if you want to save your time and money, ensure that you clean your dishwasher regularly.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher?

It all depends on your usage and lifestyle. You can clean your dishwasher as frequently as once a month. However, if that is not possible, ensure that you make time for cleaning your dishwasher once in every three months at least. People with large families who use the dishwasher should clean it more frequently. But, if you use your dishwasher sparingly, once in 3 months should be good enough.

Don’t allow the bacteria to grow in the dishwasher filter. The germs can be transferred to all the members of the family through contact with the ‘washed’ utensils. You will also notice mould and mildew growth on the sides of your dishwasher door, if left unattended for a long time. It gives an unpleasant odour to your dinnerware. Foul smelling utensils can ruin your meal experience altogether.

Ingredients to Keep Handy

a) Vinegar

b) Baking soda

c) Old toothbrush

d) Dishwashing gel

e) Damp cloth Cleaner

How to Clean Dishwasher Interiors?

1. Step 1: Inspect the Drain

   Pull out the bottom rack of your dishwasher and examine your dishwasher filter. Ensure there are no solid particles obstructing the free flow of water. Glass pieces, leftover food chunks and soap residue can seriously hamper your dishwasher’s performance.

2. Step 2: Clean the Filter

   Use a paper towel to remove the excess gunk from your filter. Throw away the waste in the dustbin. Make a cleaning solution by mixing 2-3 tsp. of dishwashing gel and ½ bucket of warm water. A combination of warm water and dishwashing liquid helps lift the grime and wash away stains easily. You can use Vim Dishwash Gel, which is easily available in the market. Soak the filter in the cleaning solution for 10 minutes. Rinse with tap water and let it dry naturally.

3. Step 3: Run a Vinegar Cycle

   Fill a cup with vinegar and keep it on the top shelf of your dishwasher. Use the hottest water possible and run a full cycle in your dishwasher. The vinegar is a deodorizing agent. It will help you get rid of that musty smell from your dishwasher. Vinegar will also loosen the grime and stains on the insides of your dishwasher.

4. Step 4: Run a Baking Soda Cycle

   Sprinkle the cup with baking soda and place it on the bottom of your dishwasher. Now, run a short wash cycle. Baking soda will further absorb any kind of foul odour in your dishwasher.

5. Step 5: Scrub and Rinse

   Grab an old toothbrush and use it to scrub off stains from hard-to-reach spaces of your dishwasher. Use a damp cotton cloth to wipe clean the interiors of your dishwasher. Your dishwasher should be clean looking and fresh smelling.

How to Clean Dishwasher Exteriors?

Mix 2 drops of dishwashing liquid in 2 cups of warm water. Dishwashing liquid helps remove dirt and stubborn sticky stains easily from surfaces. Soak a cleaning rag in the soap solution and wipe the exteriors of your dishwasher with it. Rinse off the soapy layer with a damp cloth.

You can also wipe down the exteriors of your dishwasher with a kitchen cleaner like Cif Kitchen Cleaner. Check the pack to understand the correct usage instructions.

How to Maintain the Cleanliness of Your Dishwasher

You can take some preventive steps to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of your dishwasher. Smelly dinnerware can be really embarrassing in front of guests. You can easily avoid it by rinsing your utensils before putting them away in a dishwasher. Food particles make the majority of the gunk that clogs the dishwasher filter. So, ensure that you empty your dishes. If, possible, rinse them with water before placing them in the dishwasher.

Remove bits of food from the bottom of your dishwasher daily using a paper towel.

It is important to surface-clean your dishwasher, including the inner racks and door and knobs with a damp sponge once a week. While you are at it, also rinse and wash the filter.

Deep clean your dishwasher at least once a month. 

Dishwasher is fast gaining popularity in India. It helps homemakers save a lot of time and energy. Not to mention, a dishwasher does make throwing those 5 course meal parties easier. You can concentrate on having fun rather than worrying about the dishes in your kitchen sink.

Key Step:

Leave your dishwasher door open for some time. This allows the trapped moisture to escape. Damp dishwasher walls and corners can lead to the growth of mould and mildew.