How to Clean Your Dishwasher

Is your dishwasher clean after a cycle or does it have a lot of residue? Has your dishwasher developed a nice odor? Do you wish that you actually felt that your dishes came out of the dishwasher clean? Maybe you need to clean your dishwasher. It may sound silly to clean your dishwasher, but if soap residue and food deposits are building up then it can keep your dishes from being as clean as they could be.

First step to a better working and smelling dishwasher is to clean up all visible bits of food and other random things that are hiding out in your dishwasher. This means wiping down any soiled areas, cleaning grime from vents and other nooks and crannies, and picking out any objects that are stuck and clogging up the drain on the bottom of the dishwasher. A variety of things can get in your dishwasher and clog up areas like the drain; including twist-ties, bones, pieces of plastic, and large pieces of food. Other areas to make sure to check and clean as needed are around the door, gaskets, seals, and just about any space where food, water, and soap particles can build up. As all of these things build up over time they start to degrade or break down, and can start to smell. A dishwasher provides a nice dark, warm, and moist environment for bacteria to grow. Which leads to a very smelly and dirty dishwasher!

As far as cleaning your dishwasher goes, you can use a variety of tools to attack the tough build up, such as old toothbrushes, sponges, or a cloth. After removing any visible debris from the dishwasher, you can wash down the inside with soap and water. To remove tough grime a soft abrasive cleaner can be used instead of soap.

Once you have cleaned up the majority of the visible buildup by hand you can work to sanitize and rid the dishwasher of that wonderful odor. First, start by putting 1 cup of vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher and run it through a cycle. After running anything through to clean the dishwasher make sure to run another cycle after it to clean everything out. If vinegar does not get it as clean as you would like you can try baking soda sprinkled in the bottom of dishwasher and then running it through a cycle. Baking soda can help to remove stains from the dishwasher. Another idea to help sanitize your dishwasher is using a ½ a cup of bleach in place of the vinegar. Other ideas of additives to try to get your dishwasher clean and rid of any odor or stains are filling the soap dispenser with citric acid powder, Tang, unsweetened lemonade packet, Oxyclean, lemon juice, CLR, Coca-Cola, or a cleaner made specifically for cleaning dishwashers. Make sure to avoid any packets or products that have added coloring, because they may stain your dishwasher.

Other tips for keeping your dishwasher clean and working optimally

Run hot water in the sink to prime the hot water for the dishwasher.

Run dishwasher on the hottest setting.

If you have hard water some experts recommend filling both cups with soap and using a rinse agent.

Experts warn against gel dishwasher detergents. Gel dishwasher detergents may contain bleach, which can break down parts of your dishwasher. Also, gel detergents can leave a whitish or cloudy residue behind. They also have the tendency to stick to the inside of the dishwasher and not ever fully rinse away. Another problem that gels can cause is that it can actually clog the soap cup and cause it to stick and not open properly. This can cause the overall timing of the cycle to be off and the soap may even be rinsed away without being able to be used to its full potential. Gel detergents are not effective in hard water and will always leave spots behind.

Caution: Don't combine bleach with any other cleaners or products. Also, consult your appliance manual to find out what cleaning products are approved for your dishwasher.

References:

eHow Home and Garden Editor. "How to Clean a Dishwasher". eHow. http://www.ehow.com/how_2002482_clean_dishwasher.html

Essortment.com. "How do I Clean a Dishwasher". http://www.essortment.com/all/dishwasherclean_oko.htm

Heloise. "Eliminating Odor from a Dishwasher". Good Housekeeping. http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/heloise/kitchen/dishwasher-cleaning-oct01

Illes, Steve. "How to Clean Dishwashers". howtocleanstuff.net. http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/kitchen-and-bath/kitchen-appliances-and-fixtures/how-to-clean-dishwashers/

Mrs. Clean House Cleaning Services and Maid Service. "Dishwasher Cleaning: Quickly and Easily". http://www.mrscleannw.com/tips/clean-dishwasher.html.