How to clean a dishwasher

Video: HOW TO CLEAN YOUR DISHWASHER (QUICK & EASY !!)

Content

Steps
Part 1 of 3: Deep Cleaning
Part 2 of 3: Removing the Dishwasher Bottom
Part 3 of 3: Daily Care
Tips
Warnings
What do you need

Many of us don't often think about the need to clean the dishwasher. After all, if the dishes get clean, does the dishwasher get clean too? Unfortunately, small debris and leftovers that build up over time will degrade its performance. If it's time to clean your dishwasher, start at Step 1 below.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Deep Cleaning

1 Fill a sink halfway with water and add 2 cups of vinegar. This is where the parts of the dishwasher will turn off as you clean the bottom and walls. If you don't have vinegar, then take:
- Lemonade drink. (Do not use those that have a strong color, as they can leave colored spots. You do not need to add sugar.)
- Lemon juice
- Dishwasher detergent.
2 Remove shelves and holders. The two shelves must be removed from the dishwasher, together with the dish holders and other parts that are not part of the shelves. If they are small, place them in a sink filled with a mixture of water and vinegar for cleaning.If they don't fit, scrub them with a cloth dampened with the same vinegar solution.
- Look for food scraps! If you find pieces of food stuck, use a toothpick or similar small sharp tool to remove them.
3 Remove any small debris from the openings in the wash carousels. Make sure all openings are clear and that water flows through them unobstructed. If not, the holes need to be cleaned to make your dishwasher work more efficiently. Use round or fine-cheeked pliers if you have one, otherwise use a toothpick or similar. Try not to scratch anything when using a metal tool. Take your time and be careful.
- If the holes are very small, take a thin wire and bend it into a hook on one side. Pull through the hole farthest from the middle. Each time you do this, you will remove a small piece of trash.
- Alternatively, you can drill a larger hole at the end of the carousel. Clean the blockage with a brush, then screw a stainless steel screw into the hole.
4 Wipe the edges of the door and around the baskets. These areas are not rinsed out during the dishwasher cycle. Use a dry rag and a vinegar solution (or a mild cleaning agent if you prefer). An old toothbrush or other soft brush will help you get into the corners as well as under the baskets.
- Don't forget the bottom of the door and underneath it! In some dishwashers, this is a blind spot where water does not enter and debris can accumulate there. Wipe the area with a rag dipped in vinegar. If anything gets stuck, use a brush.
5 Use bleach to remove grease and mold. Run the wash cycle without using the acidic cleaners you used, and never mix bleach with other cleaning agents or dishwasher detergents. Bleach can be very powerful for both you and your dishwasher, so use it sparingly and only when needed.
- If the dishwasher contains grease and mold, leave it completely open for a while to allow it to dry completely after each use.
- Do not use bleach or bleach-based products if your dishwasher door and interior are made of stainless steel.
6 Tackle rust stains. If the water contains a lot of iron or is rusty, you will not be able to control the appearance of rust stains. If possible, investigate the root of the problem. If the problem is not with rusty pipes, the water softener can remove a small amount of iron from the water, but it works by replacing minerals that are difficult to remove with salts that are easy to rinse off. There are filters that remove iron from the water and if your water contains a lot of iron, you should consider installing such a filter.
- Use a rust remover that won't damage your dishwasher, but ask a professional first - how did it get there?
- If the wire baskets in your dishwasher are cracked or peeled off, use a paint sealant made for dishwashers. Pull out the guides and inspect them from below too. If the damage is too strong or there is a lot of them (not just a couple of chips, but a whole bunch), check if you can replace the entire shelf. Online stores sell a wide range of spare parts and yours may not be difficult to find.
7 Place all parts back in the dishwasher. Once the grill, filter, carousels and all internal parts are cleaned and small parts are soaked, put them back where they should be. Or move on to the next part - if your dishwasher is in poor condition, you can remove the bottom and get serious about it.

Part 2 of 3: Removing the Dishwasher Bottom

Examine the bottom of the dishwasher around the drain hole. There should be a grid or lattice around it, under the carousel.Dirty water goes there. Look at the trash that clogs up this place. Remove any hard pieces that have accumulated, especially pieces of paper, broken plates, small stones, etc. If it seems to you that something has fallen inside, you will have to disassemble the parts a little to remove all the debris.

1 Unplug the dishwasher to remove accumulated debris. Look for a power outlet under the sink. Make sure you turn off the dishwasher and not the garbage disposal unit! To be sure, walk down the cord to the dishwasher.
- If you don't have a built-in dishwasher, move it aside to find the cord.
2 Unscrew the screws on the bottom carefully. Don't drop them! The filter cover will lift to reveal the inner parts.
- Once you've figured out this part, take care to remember what and where you shot from. Take photos of the process and store the pieces in a safe place in the order in which you shoot them. So you will not have any questions during the assembly.
3 Cover the filter inlet with a piece of duct tape. This is necessary so that garbage does not get into it, which you will clean off. You want to remove debris from the dishwasher, not clog the pipes even more with it.
4 Use a rag to remove hard debris and wipe the bottom if necessary. Be careful if you come across glass shards. Wear rubber gloves.
- Remove dried-on pieces with a brush or cloth. If your dishwasher hasn't been cleaned for a long time, you should use a strong detergent to remove any debris that has accumulated over the years.
5 Insert and screw everything back in. The easiest way is to follow the order in the reverse order in which you went through everything. Do not pinch the screws, especially if they are in soft plastic parts.
- To check that everything is working as it should, turn on the machine for a short time.

Part 3 of 3: Daily Care

1 Use your dishwasher regularly. This will help prevent scraps and other debris from accumulating inside it, which will allow you to clean less often. Sometimes turn it on empty, naturally for a short economic cycle!
2 Turn on hot water briefly in your sink before turning on the dishwasher. The dishes will be cleaner if you wash them with hot water. You can collect that water to water your houseplants. Keep the water running until the tap water is hot.
- Set the water thermostat to 50C. Water colder than this value will not be effective for cleaning. Hot water can burn you.
3 Turn on the garbage disposal unit before turning on the dishwasher. The dishwasher drains the water into the same pipe, so the drain must be clean. If you have problems with your dishwasher, it may be due to the fact that it is clogged with waste from the garbage disposal unit.
4 Run your dishwasher with vinegar periodically. Pour two cups of vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher and turn on economy mode. Stop the dishwasher halfway through the cycle and let the bottom soak in the vinegar for 15-20 minutes.
- Then turn on the dishwasher again and end the cycle. If there is a lot of dirt, leave it to soak overnight.
- To combat odor, sprinkle the bottom with baking soda (half a glass or a whole glass) and run the dishwasher as usual.
5 Spray the door of the dishwasher with a mild detergent. Wipe with a sponge or rag. Especially the control unit and the handle. Watch out for the gap between the panels - debris collects in it.
6 Pour in the rinse once a month. It helps to avoid stains on the dishes. Unscrew the round lid on the dishwasher door and pour the rinse aid into it, following the instructions for the product and the instructions in the instructions for the dishwasher.
- Do not add rinse aid if you are using a water softener.
- There are dry rinses available. If you forget to add liquid, use dry ones - they are easier to remember because they are more visible.
- If this is more convenient for you, use dishwasher detergents that already contain rinse aid.

Tips

Always pick up anything dropped on the bottom of the dishwasher immediately.
Load the dishwasher correctly, placing the dishes face down and inwards. Check that the carousel can rotate before turning it on.
A full load will help save water and electricity, but do not overload the plates. The dishwasher washes the dishes by spraying them with water, so the water should get on them freely.
Wash small items in the basket together with forks and knives to prevent them from slipping to the bottom. Some dishwasher models are equipped with special baskets for small items.
Not all dishwasher products are created equal. Try a new strain the next time you buy for better results. Pay attention to ratings and reviews. Prefer powders and tablets over gels and liquids, and keep them dry to prevent them from getting wet before use.
Wear gloves if you don't want to touch the debris with your bare hands.
Wet or spray dry debris with a cleaning agent and let it dissolve for a few minutes before wiping it off. You save yourself the hassle of rubbing.
Do not wash containers with stickers that might come off. Remove large leftovers from plates before placing them in the dishwasher.
Do not get carried away with pre-rinsing. Dishwashers and their products are getting better. If you've never put completely dirty dishes in the dishwasher, give it a try. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Warnings

If you are not sure that you can take apart and assemble the parts, do not unscrew the bottom of the dishwasher. It does not need frequent cleaning.
Use products specifically formulated for dishwashers, not liquid soap like the one you use to wash dishes by hand. The dishwasher is designed to splash water from different sides rather than pouring it in a thick layer. The soap will just make a mess.
Never mix different cleaning products, especially bleach, with each other or with other chemicals.