How to Clean Your Dishwasher

Cleaning your dishwasher may seem unnecessary, considering the purpose of the machine, but like any appliance, it requires regular cleaning and maintenance to function properly. How exactly do you clean a dishwasher? Handyman Connection® of Rockville explains more:

Gather the Items You Need

By gathering all the items you need before starting the task, you can save time and effort later on. Cleaning a dishwasher requires an old toothbrush, toothpicks and an old cloth or soft rag. You’ll also need lemon juice, baking soda and distilled white vinegar. All these are common items that you should keep around the kitchen.

Clean the Dishwasher 

Begin by running the dishwasher on normal to fully rinse the inside. When done, carefully remove the racks and utensil trays and set them aside. Next, inspect the spinning arms. Make sure the holes are open and unclogged so water can run through them properly. Remove any debris build-up with a toothpick.

Next, you’ll need to clean under the bottom of the door. This can be an optional step, but there are dishwashers that have a blind spot that water can’t reach, causing that area to collect a lot of gunk. Fortunately, you can get rid of the dirt easily by washing the area with warm water.

Unclog the Drain

Apply some baking soda paste on an old toothbrush and use it to scrape the drain and its surrounding area. It’s important to clean this area thoroughly, as food easily sticks in the crevices of the drain. After dislodging the debris, wipe the area clean with a damp cloth that’s been soaked in a mixture of white vinegar and lemon juice. You can repeat this step as necessary. Afterward, wash the area with warm water to rinse off the baking soda paste.

Finally, use an abrasive cloth dipped in the same vinegar and lemon mixture to clean the utensil holder and rack. You can also use a toothbrush to get rid of any stuck food pieces. Rinse everything with warm water when you’re done to get rid of all the lingering lemon-vinegar solution.

For more home improvement and maintenance solutions, you can consult Handyman Connection of Rockville. Contact us today at (301) 453-2090 to learn more about our services. You can also request an estimate.