- Over time, food scraps, grease, and soap accumulate inside a dishwasher, making it unpleasant and inefficient.
- Experts recommend deep cleaning your machine once a month, or twice a week if you use it more than once a day.
- The interior of a dishwasher can be completely sanitized with a hot rinse of vinegar or bleach.
If you’re looking for something to clean, the greatest place to start is with the items that are likely the most overlooked: the cleaning appliances. In the kitchen, that honorable mention goes to the dishwasher. Because we consider dishwashers to be self-cleaning, it’s easy to overlook the fact that, like our oven, refrigerator, and pots and pans, it’s an utility that requires a thorough cleaning both inside and out.
Dishwashing hints for every day
Cleaning a squeaky dishwasher begins long before you get the cleaning tools out. To avoid larger bits of food from becoming stuck in the dishwasher filter, GoCleanCo CEO Sarah McAllister softly scrapes and rinses dishes before adding them.
As a cleansing agent, she also uses pods. Using a liquid dishwasher detergent can result in a harsher odor and slippery dishes, whilst using loose dishwasher powder can result in a chalky mess. “I prefer the pods because they are more convenient and there is less risk of spilling all over the floor,” McAllister says.
If your dishwasher is starting to smell or seem mildewy, use McAllister’s method to restore it to its former glory.
What you’ll require
- Bleach or white vinegar (distilled)
- Paper towels or a clean rag
- Glass cleaning, such as Windex, or stainless steel spray
- Cotton swabs and toothpicks
When a bleach and vinegar reaction occurs, chlorine gas is produced, which is extremely harmful to humans if inhaled.
What is the best way to clean a dishwasher?
- Use vinegar or bleach on a hot cycle, but never both at the same time. Dishwashers with stainless steel interiors should be cleaned with distilled white vinegar, while dishwashers with non-stainless steel interiors can be cleaned with bleach. Place a 1/3 cup of vinegar or bleach in an open dishwasher-safe container on the top rack. “Run on your hottest and longest cycle. This disinfects everything and eliminates odors and germs growth “McAllister agrees.
- Remove the filter and clean it. “Remove any trash from your dishwasher filter and rinse it. Scrub the edges of the dishwasher with warm water and bleach or vinegar to remove any caked-on food or spillage “she explains.
- Wipe down the outside of the house. On the dishwasher door, spills, water marks, and fingerprints are common. McAllister suggests using a stainless steel spray and wiping with the grain of the steel, which is usually east to west. “Don’t be concerned if you notice streaks. Allow the cleaning to soak into the steel for a few minutes, and it will appear brand new “McAllister agrees. For individuals who have an older dishwasher with a non-stainless steel exterior: “Wipe down the door with warm soapy water, allow it dry, and then Windex it. Simple and straightforward!”
- Look for nooks and crannies. After cleaning and drying the dishwasher’s interior and exterior doors, use a toothpick and cotton swab to get into the smallest crevices, such as the vents, filters, and spinner arms, to ensure there is no leftover material.
How often should a dishwasher be cleaned?
McAllister recommends cleaning your dishwasher once a month, but if you have a larger household or use it more than once a day, a bi-weekly deep clean is preferable.
Takeaway from an insider
“Dishwashers are one of the dirtiest locations in your house,” McAllister adds, “yet we neglect them the most.” “Mold can grow anywhere there is standing water,” says the expert.
To avoid this, clean the dishwasher on a regular basis with vinegar or bleach (never the two together), making sure to remove debris from the filter, vents, and other parts.
In 2021, there will be four excellent dishwashers. A TikTok-famous professional cleaner demonstrates common domestic cleaning blunders. The household cleansers that should never be mixed to avoid harmful gas production The finest automatic dishwashing detergents available on the market
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