You Need To Clean Your Dishwasher Regularly — Here’s How
It feels obvious when you think of it, but dishwashers get dirty too. They work hard, handle food scraps, grease, and soap residue, and can quietly collect buildup in spots where you never think to look. Because dishes come out mostly clean, it’s easy to assume the machine is also clean. But over time, a dirty dishwasher can start to smell, and not clean your dishes as well. The good news is that cleaning it is easier than most people think.
Start With The Filter
The filter is where food debris ends up, and it’s often totally forgotten about. Pull it out gently and rinse it under warm water. Use a soft brush to scrub away grease and any trapped residue. This one step can dramatically improve the smell and draining of your dishwasher. A clogged filter forces the dishwasher to recycle dirty water, which defeats the whole purpose of washing dishes in the first place.
Wipe The Door Seals That Trap Hidden Grime
The rubber seals around the door can secretly collect grease, soap scum, and food particles. They don’t get sprayed directly during a cycle, so grime builds up and doesn’t get cleaned. Wipe the door seals with a damp cloth and mild soap. This simple habit helps prevent bad smells and ensures the door continues sealing properly. Clean seals also help extend the life of the machine.
Clean The Spray Arms
Spray arms can easily get clogged with mineral buildup or tiny food bits, especially if you have hard water. Remove them if possible and rinse them out thoroughly. Then, use a toothpick to clear any blocked holes. When spray arms are partially clogged, the water pressure inside the dishwasher drops and dishes will stay dirty. Clean arms make your dishwasher work better more than adding extra detergent ever will.
Run An Empty Cycle With Vinegar
Vinegar works best to clean a dishwasher when placed in a dishwasher safe cup on the top rack, not poured directly into the bottom. You want to use it and run a hot cycle with the dishwasher empty. Vinegar breaks down grease and mineral buildup without damaging the parts of your dishwasher. This step does a great job at cleaning the inside of the dishwasher. It’s simple, effective, and inexpensive.
Baking Soda Is For Deodorizing, Not Deep Cleaning
After you run the vinegar cycle, sprinkle a cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher and run a short hot cycle. This neutralizes any lingering smells and helps polish the interior. Baking soda is not a heavy cleaner, but it’s great for resetting smell. Think of it as a fresh start rather than a heavy clean.
Check The Drain Area For Sneaky Blockages
Food debris can collect near the drain and slow water flow over time. Carefully inspect the area and remove anything that you can see. This prevents standing water and unpleasant smells. Even small blockages affect performance over time. A quick check every few months keeps water moving smoothly.
Clean The Outside Too
Buttons, handles, and control panels on the outside of your dishwasher collect fingerprints and kitchen grease. Wipe them down with a damp cloth and gentle cleaner. A clean exterior makes the whole kitchen feel fresher and makes it look like the appliance is cared for. It’s a small detail that makes the dishwasher look newer.
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Dishwashers work best when they’re maintained and taken care of. A few small cleaning steps every once in a while keeps them running quietly and effectively. Once you see how simple it is, cleaning your dishwasher feels less like a chore and more like an easy step you can set and forget.
Bliss Donahue-Power
