How To Clean The Dishwasher? - 8 Detail Steps

Follow this detailed guide to learn how to clean a dishwasher by using vinegar or baking soda. You won't believe how much better your equipment runs and how new it looks after having been serviced.

How to clean dishwasher step-by-step 

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Stock up on necessities

Initially, let's focus on the following: Amass the supplies you'll need to clean. For this, you'll need the following:

  • Hot water, white vinegar, and baking soda.

  • Rubber gloves, a microfiber towel, a toothpick, and a toothbrush

Take out the filter, the dish racks, and the utensil holders.

If you really want to get down into the nooks and crannies, you'll need to take out the filter, racks, and utensil holders (some filters simply twist off, but others will require tools to unscrew them). Remove them and soak them in a solution of 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of warm water. Soak them for at least half an hour.

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Remove any clutter that may be in the way.

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Assuming you can see clearly now, it's time to make sure there isn't any clutter lurking inside. Clean the spray arms and the walls, paying special attention to the upper and lower edges. Look into the water spray nozzles, the filter, and the dispenser of the dishwasher. Use a toothbrush and/or toothpick to remove any food or debris stuck in these narrow gaps.

Mix vinegar with hot water and run the dishwasher.

Put a bowl that can go in the dishwasher and a cup of white vinegar in the bottom of the machine. The dishwasher should be run with hot water. Food, grease, soap scum, residue, and other leftover filth will all be dissolved by vinegar.

Use baking soda in a second, quick wash.

Upon completion of the initial cycle, take out the bowl and spread a cup's worth of baking soda on the base of the machine. Reduce the cycle time as much as possible. Using baking soda to clean the dishwasher can get rid of stains and leave it smelling fresh. As a consequence? A shiny and spotless appliance that gives off the freshest aromas after use.

Scrub the exterior of the dishwasher's door.

To clean the inside of the dishwasher, you should use a cleaner made for that purpose. For stainless steel, for example, you'll want to use a cleaner specifically formulated for that material (all-purpose cleaners can leave a streaky finish or even scratch steel, so be careful).

Is there another option? Making your own cleaning solution is a great idea. Dishwasher-safe DIY cleaners can be as simple as combining dish soap, water, and white vinegar. Microfiber cloth dipped in soapy water and wiped in the direction of the wood's grain will reveal a gleaming finish. If you want a spotless, fingerprint-free shine, just rinse your cloth and give the surface another pass. You should also use your damp towel to clean the control panel and the handles.

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Correctly maintaining your dishwasher.

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Several positive outcomes await you now that you know how to clean a dishwasher. You'll discover that the machine is more efficient in addition to having a cleaner fragrance and appearance. When all the gunk is gone, soap and water may be sprayed through the device at full strength, leaving you with spotless dishes. 

In fact, if your dishes have been coming out of the dishwasher with muck still clinging to them, it's time to give your dishwasher a thorough cleaning. Learn how to load a dishwasher properly to keep things clean in between deep cleanings, which you should do around once every six months, and deep cleaning the interior of the dishwasher.

If your dishwasher includes a self-cleaning sanitizing cycle, you should use it once a month in addition to the twice-yearly thorough cleaning. The sanitizing cycle is more powerful than a conventional wash cycle, killing 99.9 percent of bacteria and food soil that a normal wash cycle misses.

In the event that your dishwasher doesn't have a sanitized setting, you may want to stock up on Affresh. Foaming tablet Affresh removes residue and prevents dishwashing detergent accumulation, and it should be used with a standard full cycle.

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Make sure the dishwasher is set at the correct temperature.

One last thing to keep in mind to keep your dishwasher in top shape: Put it between 118 and 149 degrees Fahrenheit. The water temperature must be at least 120 degrees for efficient dishwashing. If you really want to see how hot your body actually is, fill a cup with water from the sink closest to the dishwasher. 

Check the temperature inside by inserting a thermometer. You will need to adjust your water heater if the temperature is below 120 degrees or above 150 degrees.

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FAQs

Can I use vinegar and baking soda to clean the dishwasher?

Cleaning the interior of a dishwasher is simple and quick with vinegar and baking soda, but you shouldn't use them together. Instead, start with the vinegar and go on to the baking soda.

How frequently should the dishwasher be cleaned?

If you care about the cleanliness of your dishes, you should clean your dishwasher once a month to remove any built-up bacteria and keep it running smoothly.

Can I put vinegar in the dishwasher with the dishes?

Place a cup of vinegar in the top rack of your dishwasher and run it. It's time to use vinegar as if you were at a spa. Not only will vinegar assist in dissolving the filth, buildup, and grossness in your dishwasher, but it will also eliminate any lingering odors that may be present.

Last word 

Trust us when we say that while cleaning your dishes, your dishwasher is not cleaning itself. We trust you now have a firm grasp on the best practices for dishwasher maintenance.

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