Posted by Wouldn’t it be great if you put a little TLC into it? But first, you should clean your dishwasher! A six-month cleaning cycle is recommended for this often-overlooked appliance. If you were looking for some tips and tricks to do this, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a step-by-step guide for cleaning your dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda. There will be an immediate difference in how your machine looks and runs.
Gather your supplies:
Before you start with cleaning, what you need to do is gather your cleaning supplies. Here are the things you’ll need for this task:
- You will need warm water
- A bottle of distilled white vinegar
- An equal amount of baking soda
- You will need a toothpick
- You will also need a toothbrush
- Don’t forget a microfiber cloth
- A pair of rubber gloves
Clear everything before you start:
For more accessible access to the cracks and crevices, you’ll have to remove the racks, the utensil holders, and the filter. Combine one cup of white distilled vinegar in a pot with warm water. Soak these for about 30 minutes. This should be enough long time for them to get clean.
Clear out all debris:
Having cleared your line of sight, check for any debris lurking within. Especially clean the corners at the top and bottom of the spray arms and the side walls. Ensure the dishwasher’s filter and dispenser are working correctly, and look inside all the tiny holes and slots to ensure water is not leaking out. Clean out small crevices with a toothbrush and toothpick if you see food or debris lodged there.
Run the dishwasher:
In the empty dishwasher, place a bowl of white vinegar on the bottom. The dishwasher should be set to run on a hot water cycle. The vinegar will break down any remaining bits of food, grease, soap scum, residue, or dirt.
Run another short cycle:
When the dishwasher’s first cycle is complete, remove the bowl and sprinkle one cup of baking soda along the bottom. Then, put it through another short process. Dishwasher stains will be removed, and baking soda will freshen the dishwasher. What are the results? Clean, bright, and sparkling dishwasher.
Clean the outer dishwasher door:
Be careful not to damage your dishwasher by using a cleaner made specifically for the surface, such as an all-purpose cleaner. For example, choose a cleaner for your dishwasher with a stainless steel surface. This is because steel can be scratched or streaked by all-purpose cleaners.
Another option are DIY cleaners made at home. Combining dish soap, water, and white vinegar makes a great homemade cleaner safe for all dishwasher surfaces. Swipe the microfiber cloth toward the grain after dipping it in the soapy water, squeezing out all the excess, and then wiping it on the surface. After washing your cloth, pass the surface again to make it gleam. Finally, use your damp cloth to wipe down the control panel and handles.
Keeping your dishwasher clean:
Having learned how to clean a dishwasher, you will experience many benefits. It’s not just better-smelling and fresher-looking, but it’s more effective, too. When all the residue is gone, soap and water can be sprayed through the appliance at full strength, resulting in cleaner dishes. In addition, your dishwasher probably needs a deep clean if your dishes come out of it still covered with gunk. You should deep clean your dishwasher once every six months to keep it running smoothly and learn how to load it correctly to keep things clean between cleanings.
Additionally, if your dishwasher has a self-cleaning sanitise cycle, you should run it once a month. In contrast to a standard dishwashing cycle, a sanitise cycle runs hotter and longer, killing 99.9% of bacteria and food soil.
How often should you clean the inside of your dishwasher:
Depending on how often you use your dishwasher, you must clean it at least once a month. If you run a load daily, then you should clean the filter, drain, and inside of the dishwasher once a month. If your dishwasher is used less often, you can have it cleaned once every few months.
Of course, if you are curious about how to clean it so that it remains clean for longer and how to improve its health, you can always contact your local cleaning specialists. Professional cleaning companies have all kinds of cleaning solutions, tools and equipment. In addition, you can learn a lot about what your dishwasher needs to maintain its quality and continue its good performance.
What are the signs it needs cleaning:
- In case of doubt about whether to clean a dishwasher, here are a few signs to watch out for:
- The dishwasher is emitting an unpleasant odour;
- The dishwasher’s filter is clogged with food;
- The appliance is rusted inside
- An item of food was found in the sprayer arm of the dishwasher
- A lot of food or grease is coming out of the dishwasher with the cutlery and crockery
Remember that if your dishwasher shows other signs and its performance has changed, you should call another specialist to fix it. Make sure you keep the instruction manual of your appliance so that when you see a change, you can look it up. Sometimes cleaning is not the thing it needs.
Conclusion:
Despite the dishwasher being the cleaning appliance, it must also be cleaned. If the tips mentioned do not give the desired results, you should probably call an expert cleaning company. Good care for your appliance will result in a longer lifespan and quality performance.
Always make sure you have read the instruction manual, so you know what can damage and what can help your dishwasher.