You may think that your dishwasher cleans itself as it washes your dishes, but we can assure you that this is not the case. Over time, food residue, grease, undissolved detergent and water minerals can build up on the filter and on the interior walls of the dishwasher, even clogging the spray arms. For this reason, it is important that your dishwasher is cleaned and kept clean regularly. Aside from the foul smell and ugly appearance that this dirt leaves behind, it can also leave stains and a film on glasses, plates and cutlery, regardless of how carefully and precisely the dishwasher is loaded. So take time this weekend for a quick spring cleaning - we'll tell you how you can clean your dishwasher with home remedies!
How often should your dishwasher be cleaned?
How often your dishwasher needs to be cleaned depends on the number of cycles you run per day or week. If you load your dishwasher to capacity every day, you should do the following things daily, once a week, and once a month to keep your dishwasher clean:
- Daily or after each load, clean the strainer and bottom of the dishwasher to remove any obvious food particles that may be left behind.
- Every week, take out the filter, clean it and wipe the door edges and seal to remove any dirt buildup.
- Run a cleaning cycle once a month to clean the interiorto clean thoroughly.
Cleaning the dishwasher with home remedies – tips
Cleaning the dishwasher that gives off a bad smell does not require much effort and should not be done too often. If you clean your dishwasher once a month, it will still look like new and continue to function properly.
Cleaning the dishwasher with baking powder (or baking soda): Take care of the outside
You can make a homemade dishwasher cleaner. To do this, mix 50 g of baking soda with 1 l of water in a bowl. Avoid using abrasive cleaners and scouring pads that are too coarse as they could damage the surface of the dishwasher. Once the door is cleaned, dry it with a clean, soft towel. Apply a little rubbing alcohol to a clean, dry cloth to remove stubborn fingerprintsand dirt stains. If your dishwasher has plastic buttons, you should not clean it with acidic, natural cleaners such as vinegar, as this could corrode the plastic.
Dishwashing liquid and hot water for rubber seals
You will need to open the dishwasher door to access the top and sides of the appliance. Scrub the area around the door with a small toothbrush dipped in hot, soapy water. Be sure to look into the recesses of the rubber seal and all other cracks and crevices, including the hinges. Use a clean, damp sponge to remove any remaining cleaning solution.
Clean the dishwasher with vinegar
To clean dirt from the bottom of the dishwasher, grab some paper towels and use them. Most of the food remains are in the drain area.
Once you have removed all the dirt, you will need to run the dishwasher through a cleaning cycle. Place a container of 250 ml of white vinegar in the top rack. In the next step, the device goes through the entire cleaning cycle, but use hot water if possible so that it can also be disinfected. Then add 220g of baking soda to the bottom of the dishwasher and run a second rinse.
After the cycle has finished, wipe the inside of the dishwasher with either paper towels or a dry, clean cloth.
Degrease the dishwasher with lemon juice or citric acid
Lemon juice (or citric acid) is a powerful and effective cleanser. Start your dishwasher's normal cycle after adding 250 ml of lemon juice to the top rack or basket of the appliance. The acidity of lemon juice effectively removes both hard water stains and iron deposits.
Clean the dishwasher with home remedies – drain strainer and filter
A clogged strainer is the most common cause of smell from a dishwasher. If your dishwasher has a removable filter, you'll most likely find it in a back corner of the appliance. You shouldthis filterRemove and clean in the sink with hot soapy water - or a vinegar mixture - and a brush to reach all crevices of the filter. Also scrub the drain strainer and plastic frame with a soft toothbrush to remove any oil or particles trapped in the cracks. Then wash all parts thoroughly. Place the filter back into its housing and secure it.
