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Cleaning and Maintaining Your Dishwasher

Cleaning, Dishwasher, DIY, Maintenance

Cleaning and Maintaining Your Dishwasher

GHI advises regularly wiping down the interior of your dishwasher to help prevent clogs and build-up of dirt and gunk. Doing this will keep it operating optimally.

White vinegar can be an effective acidic substance to eliminate soap scum, residue and smelly gunk in your dishwasher, according to Langridge. Furthermore, its acidity will sanitize its drain and gasket and allow you to save time when operating the machine itself.

1. Wipe Down the Interior

Even when using your dishwasher with care and regularly running cleaning cycles, bits of food may still get caught in its interior surfaces and cause unpleasant odors, spots and streaks on dishes over time. Furthermore, it can clog drains and force it to work less effectively than intended.

Make a habit of cleaning the interior of your dishwasher every week using a soft cloth and mild detergent or dish soap, taking special care in wiping corners, edges and crevices as well.

Clean the Filter

While some filters can self-clean themselves, it is wise to regularly take measures to keep your dishwasher filter clear of mineral deposits that could clog its mesh screen if your hard water impedes normal performance of its cleaning function. In particular, hard water deposits can clog your machine, leading to incomplete dishes cleaning or even worse, leaving behind unsanitized spots on them! To clean it thoroughly with regularity for best results.

An annual deep cleaning can extend the lifespan of your dishwasher, and can easily be accomplished with vinegar solutions. Simply fill a dishwasher-safe bowl with 1 cup of white vinegar, place it inside your empty appliance, and run its hot water cycle – its acidity helps break down food debris and soap scum buildup! Afterward, be sure to rinse out and replace its filter.

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2. Clean the Drain

Modern life’s modern conveniences – like dishwashers – come at a cost. Over time, grease, soap scum and food debris buildup in these appliances reduces efficiency while providing an ideal breeding ground for germs. Luckily, cleaning one yourself using simple household products is an effortless task that anyone can complete themselves.

Start by clearing away any food particles or other debris clogging the dishwasher drain filter at its base, before pouring a mixture of equal parts baking soda and vinegar down its drain. Allow this solution to sit for 15-20 minutes before running the rinse cycle to help eliminate odors and prevent future clogs.

Finally, ensure your dishwasher’s drain hose is securely connected to either your sink or garbage disposal and free from food debris or debris that has built up in it. If necessary, use drain cleaner according to product directions in order to break up and flush away obstructions in its path.

After several drain cleanings, your dishwasher should be free from debris and odors and working at maximum efficiency. For optimal performance, regular maintenance should involve cleaning it once every month.

3. Clean the Exterior

Dishwashers provide a quick and efficient way to clean and sanitize dishes. But it is equally important that the dishwasher itself remains spotlessly clean on a regular basis to prevent unpleasant odors, hard water deposits and grime build-up – as well as ensure it continues to function efficiently.

To clean your dishwasher efficiently and sustainably, vinegar is an ideal natural cleaner. It eliminates odors while being gentle enough for all surfaces within your machine’s interior. Simply place one cup of white vinegar on the top rack before running a full cycle – this should be repeated at least weekly or when necessary.

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Baking soda is another natural way to clean your dishwasher effectively and odor-free, with mildly abrasive properties to cut through grease and grime accumulation inside of your appliance. Simply sprinkle some on to the surfaces in your dishwasher before scrubbing with damp cloth until done – and be sure to rinse and dry afterwards for best results!

As part of your weekly maintenance routine, it’s advisable to also wipe down the exterior of your dishwasher to remove any smears or fingerprints that may have accumulated over time. In addition, this gives you an opportunity to inspect its spray arm for trapped food particles or potential blockages that require clearing away.

4. Check the Seal

Although it may seem counter-intuitive, it’s essential that both the interior and exterior surfaces of a dishwasher be thoroughly wiped down regularly. Fingerprints collect on its doors while food particles and soap scum accumulate within its crevices over time, leaving an unsightly mess within.

Use mild cleaners like vinegar or washing soda to quickly and easily maintain your dishwasher’s gasket. Simply mix these cleaners with water, use a soft cloth and clean out every fold and groove using this method before wiping your entire appliance with damp cloth to rinse and dry all surfaces.

Check your dishwasher seal regularly to make sure it remains undamaged or broken, since an imperfect seal could prevent your machine from sealing properly and lead to leaks – potentially leading to costly water damage repairs and necessitating an entirely new appliance purchase.

If it’s time to replace the seal on your dishwasher, gently pull out and clean the existing one using a damp cloth before installing a new seal firmly into place with its correct side facing upward. For best results, purchase special dishwasher cleaners which help remove hard water deposits, detergent residue buildup, and other buildup from internal parts and spray arms of the machine – follow its directions accordingly for optimal results.

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