A clean dishwasher is essential for maintaining hygiene in the kitchen and ensuring spotless dishes. Many homeowners overlook the importance of regular dishwasher maintenance, leading to grime build-up and unpleasant odours. Learning how to clean a dishwasher properly can extend its lifespan and improve its performance, saving time and money in the long run.
This comprehensive guide will walk readers through cleaning their dishwashers effectively. It covers daily maintenance tips to keep the appliance running smoothly, a weekly cleaning routine to prevent residue accumulation, and a monthly deep clean process using everyday household items like baking soda. By following these steps, anyone can keep their dishwasher in top condition, ensuring it delivers sparkling clean dishes with every cycle.
Daily Maintenance Tips
A few simple daily practices can significantly improve dishwasher cleanliness and function. These tips not only help maintain the appliance but also ensure that dishes come out sparkling clean after each cycle.
Scraping dishes before loading
Contrary to popular belief, pre-rinsing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher is unnecessary and can be counterproductive. According to a survey by Procter & Gamble, 86% of people make this mistake. Instead, users should follow a simple two-step process:
- Scrape off any large food chunks that could potentially clog the machine.
- Load the dishes directly into the dishwasher without rinsing.
This approach allows the dishwasher to work more effectively. Modern dishwashers have sensors that measure the cloudiness of the water during the prewash cycle. If the water is cloudy due to food particles, the dishwasher runs a more thorough cycle, resulting in a better clean.
Pre-rinsing can inadvertently signal to the dishwasher that it doesn’t need to work as hard, potentially leading to inadequate cleaning of some dishes. Detergents like Cascade Platinum Plus are designed to rehydrate dried food and clean it away during the cycle.
When loading the dishwasher, it’s crucial to ensure that water can reach all surfaces of the dishes. Avoid nesting bowls together or stacking dishes on top of one another, as this prevents water and detergent from effectively reaching all areas.
Leaving the door open after cycles
After a dishwashing cycle, leaving the dishwasher door open is generally recommended. This practice offers several benefits:
- Allows moisture to evaporate naturally, reducing the risk of mould growth and unpleasant odours.
- This helps the dishwasher cool down more quickly, which is useful if you plan to unload soon after the cycle finishes.
- Prevents condensation issues inside the dishwasher.
- This creates a less favourable environment for mould growth, which thrives in warm, moist, and dark conditions.
Some modern dishwashers automatically open the door slightly at the end of the cycle to facilitate this process. If a dishwasher doesn’t have this feature, manually opening the door can help dishes dry faster, typically within 10 to 15 minutes.
Learn more: Repairing Your Washing Machine
Weekly Cleaning Routine
A weekly cleaning routine is essential to maintaining a dishwasher’s efficiency and longevity. This routine involves two key tasks: wiping door seals and checking and refilling dishwasher salt.
Wiping door seals
Wiping down the dishwasher door seals should be part of the weekly cleaning routine. If the door seals and rim are left grimy, tiny food particles can accumulate between the folds. This accumulation negatively impacts the seals, causing them to degrade over time. As a result, the dishwasher may start to leak, affecting its overall quality and preventing the dishes from coming out as clean as they should.
To clean the door seals:
- Use a damp cloth to wipe around the edges of the door.
- Pay special attention to the folds where food particles tend to collect.
- Dry the seals with a clean cloth to prevent moisture build-up.
Checking and refilling dishwasher salt
Many areas in the UK have hard water running through their pipes, which can be problematic for dishwashers. One way to soften the water and protect the dishwasher is by adding salt. Dishwasher salt is specially formulated to soften hard water, which can cause dishes to appear dirty or be covered by a thin layer of minerals, even after washing.
The process of checking and refilling dishwasher salt is relatively straightforward:
- Locate the built-in compartment for salt in the dishwasher.
- Check if the compartment needs more salt.
- Use a funnel to pour the salt into the reservoir, holding it above to avoid spills.
- If any salt spills, run a rinse cycle without dishes to clean it out.
- Replace the bottom rack and run the dishwasher normally.
It’s important to note that after the first use, the softener unit should always have some water in it. If the indicator lights take over a month to signal a refill, they may be faulty. In such cases, it’s advisable to check the unit levels manually and contact the manufacturer if concerned.
Dishwasher salt softens the water and helps prevent limescale build-up. Limescale, a hard white mineral deposit mainly consisting of calcium carbonate, forms when hard water heats up, precipitating magnesium and calcium ions. This buildup can significantly reduce the machine’s efficiency and cause permanent damage to the heating elements, drum, and internal pipes.
Monthly Deep Clean Process
A monthly deep clean of the dishwasher is essential to maintaining optimal performance and hygiene. This process involves two key steps: running an empty hot cycle and using a dishwasher cleaner.
Running an empty hot cycle
Before starting the deep clean, it’s crucial to empty the dishwasher and remove any visible food residue. Users should check the wash arms for any food buildup and use a toothpick to clean even the hidden parts of the machine. This ensures that water can circulate freely during the cleaning cycle.
It’s important to note that running the dishwasher empty without the wash arms or filter in place is not recommended. The wash arms direct water flow to the dishes; without them, water will run out of the openings without being distributed effectively. Similarly, the filter protects the pump from potential damage caused by small objects that might have been overlooked.
Using a dishwasher cleaner
Users should use a specific dishwasher cleaner, such as Finish Dishwasher Cleaner or similar products, for the best results. These cleaners are designed to remove limescale, grease, and bacteria that can accumulate over time.
To use the cleaner:
- Place the bottle upside down where a plate normally goes in the dishwasher.
- Do not attempt to unscrew the lid; peel back the label.
- Close the dishwasher and start a 60°C or higher hot wash cycle.
Running a hot cycle is particularly important if eco cycles are frequently used, as these colder cycles may not remove bacteria as effectively. After the cycle is complete, users will notice a fresh, clean smell and a sparkling interior.
By following this monthly deep clean process, dishwasher owners can ensure their appliances remain hygienic, efficient, and free from unpleasant odours.
FAQs
How can I thoroughly clean my dishwasher?
To thoroughly clean your dishwasher, run it on the hottest cycle available. Omit the drying cycle and leave the door open afterwards to allow it to air dry. For an additional clean, distribute one cup of baking soda across the bottom of an empty dishwasher and run a short cycle at the highest heat setting. This will help clean the interior and eliminate any unpleasant odours.
What’s the most effective method to clean the inside of a dishwasher?
The most effective way to clean the inside of your dishwasher is with white vinegar. Measure 2 cups (500 mL) of white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe container and place it upright on the lower rack. Run a normal cycle with the heat dry option disabled. Remember not to add any detergent during this cycle.
What are the recommended steps for cleaning a dishwasher?
To clean your dishwasher effectively, follow these six steps:
- Clear out any debris from the drain.
- Clean the spinning arms to remove any blockages.
- Wipe the inside edge of the door to remove any grime or residue.
- Thoroughly clean the utensil caddy.
- Remove and scrub the filter.
- Finally, run a cycle with vinegar to cleanse and deodorise the interior.
What are the top tips for keeping a dishwasher clean?
When cleaning your dishwasher, thoroughly clean the edges, rubber seal, and spray arms. Additionally, place a cup of white vinegar in the machine and run it on the highest temperature cycle. Vinegar is a natural agent against bacteria and mould, effectively cleaning and freshening your dishwasher.
