How To Clean Your Dishwasher

Cleaning your house can be quite the task considering how many things you have to remember to clean. One of those items that may not be quite top of mind is your dishwasher. You may think, “Why would I need to clean something that cleans other things for me?” Well, this is a common thought, but it is important to periodically clean. Grime, food, and other things can get stuck causing your dishwasher to not work effectively or causing small damage overtime. It’s a fairly quick process to properly clean your dishwasher. Our crew at Handyman Connection of Lexington has put together a few steps to check this off your list quickly.

Step 1: Clear It Out

Remove all of the dishes from the washer, and remove the racks as well. Take a good look at the washer and inspect the area in and around the drain. Remove any debris or food caught around the drain by wearing kitchen gloves and a scrubbing tool with dish soap. This will help to improve the draining process, and will increase the efficiency of the cleaning process as well. It’ll also help maintain the dishwasher so that it will last longer.

Step 2: Check the Arms

Do a quick inspection of the spinning arms to ensure all of the holes are cleared and opened so that water can run through freely and completely. Clear out any blockages such as food, debris, or grime that has built up in the holes using a toothpick or another small utensil. Simply push through the holes with the utensil and clear out the debris. This will help with the efficiency of the washer as well.

Step 3: Wash with Vinegar

Now that the washer is empty and the drainage area is cleared, use the opportunity to do a deep clean of the machine. Place the upper rack back into the washer. Try using a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the top rack of the machine, and run the washer with hot water. This will help to remove any remaining grease, grime, or odors.

Step 4: Baking soda wash

Another great way to finish your cleaning process is by doing a quick run of the wash with baking soda. Simply sprinkle one cup or so of baking soda along the bottom of the dishwasher, and run a brief hot-water cycle. After completing this cycle, your dishwasher should be looking very clean and smelling really nice.

After completing these 4 steps, your dishwasher should be looking as good as new. Completing a deep clean of your dishwasher is crucial for the maintenance of the machine, but also for the efficiency of the way your machine runs its cleaning cycles. The crew at Handyman Connection of Lexington is here to help with any and all of your home maintenance projects regardless of how large or small the job may be. If you have questions about dishwasher repairs, or anything else around your home, give our experts a call.