The Right Way to Clean a Dishwasher

As days go by, bits of food, soap residue, and grime can build up inside your dishwashing machine. Ignore them long enough and they will soon pose a serious health hazard to your household. Here’s how to properly clean your dishwasher.

Don’t Just Run on Hot

Running the dishwasher on hot may seem like a good idea because the heat can kill the bacteria, but there are plenty of places where debris can build up and keep bacteria growing inside the unit. You’ll have to make sure you get every nook and cranny if you want your dishwasher free of any form of build up.

Empty It Out

It’s easier to clean the dishwasher if nothing’s in the way, so remove all the plates after a cycle. You’d also want to remove any racks that are detachable to minimize the clutter – you will need plenty of elbow room to get to the toughest spots.

Check the Water Outlets

All dishwashers have to spray water on the dishes to clean them. Some units have those outlets in the spray arms while others have it on a disc (like a showerhead). Use a toothpick or a small pointed object to pick out debris that may have built up in the holes.

Clean the Filter

The filter is bound to have a lot of debris after several cycles of use, so you need to make sure it’s clean for the next batch of dishes. You can use warm soapy water or baking soda to wash the filter. For the best results, use a soft toothbrush to remove small pieces of gunk.

Wipe Those Surfaces

The inner walls and the door can accumulate residue, especially at the corners and the lower edges. Once again, a small toothbrush can get the dirt off the narrow corners. Wipe the rest of the area with a clean, damp towel. Don’t forget to clean out the rubber door seal as it might have grime that you could easily miss.

Clean Everything You Took Out

Clean everything you removed with warm soapy water and a clean sponge. For best results, wipe everything with a cloth before putting them back in the dishwasher. Avoid using tissue paper to wipe the components because tissue paper lint could get stuck in the process.

Run It While Empty

Once everything is back in place, pour two cups of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher on a low setting for half a cycle and then let the vinegar sit for about half an hour to make sure everything is thoroughly cleaned. Rinse it off by completing the second half of the cycle.

Turn to Handyman Connection of Winter Park  for help with cleaning or fixing your dishwasher. Contact us at (407) 270-2348 or fill out our online form for more info.