We don’t necessarily think about taking care of the maintenance of the dishwasher until the day we find ourselves faced with a problem (odors, encrusted dirt and food, residues due to detergent, tablets used or liquid rinsing…). This reminds us that just because a device is used for cleaning does not mean that it does not need to be given a fresh cleaning from time to time! If you have no idea how to clean the dishwasher, in this article you will find a method in three simple steps that will allow you to find a sparkling clean appliance while eliminating the bad odors that attack your delicate nasal passages. every time you open!
1) Start by cleaning the dishwasher by taking care of the drain
Some repairers make funny discoveries when they are sent to repair a dishwasher: accumulation of food scraps, bones, crab claws and other shards of glass obviously do not not good with the pipes and we would therefore not have the idea of not being careful.
Remove the drawer at the very bottom of the dishwasher for better visibility. This will allow you to check that there are no large pieces of food lying around to come loose and which could damage the device. Do a quick clean by picking up any pieces with a microfiber cloth and take the opportunity to quickly check that the pipe is not blocked by scale or food. This simple check will already allow your appliance to wash your dishes better!
2) Run a cleaning cycle with vinegar
To begin, make sure the device is empty. Take a container that can be put in the dishwasher without problem such as a simple bowl. In addition, it is the ideal dosage to properly clean the dishwasher ! Then place it on the top drawer (the upper basket) and fill it with white vinegar (or spirit vinegar). Running a heavy duty cleaning cycle using the hottest water setting cleans effectively.
The vinegar will help fight greasy residue while disinfecting, removing mold and removing unpleasant odors. In addition, this natural degreaser product, Grandma’s favorite, is also an excellent anti-limescale. Thus, it combats the effects of water hardness by removing limescale deposits in the pipes. Of course, you should not do not try to descale it too often so as not to damage the seals ! In the section of household appliances that like vinegar, don’t forget the washing machine which can also smell bad.
3) A second cleaning with baking soda
As soon as cleaning with vinegar is finished, remove the bowl. Next, sprinkle a generous handful of baking soda into your appliance. Start the wash to remove the last stains and the most capricious odors. Indeed, bicarbonate is an unbeatable deodorizer! Here, opt for a short cycle, but always with a washing program where the water is very hot. At the end of the cycle, your household appliance should be cleaned and shine like the first day. And since you didn’t use any chemicals, you don’t need to rinse with plenty of water.
How to maintain and clean the dishwasher on a daily basis?
You will have understood that cleaning your dishwasher regularly with these tips will ensure that it functions properly. On a daily basis, you can leave a piece of lemon to prevent unpleasant odors from returning. Leave it on when you run a wash cycle to avoid white marks on silverware and leave utensils, pots and dishes clean. This will also clean and degrease, as well as gently deodorize and descale. Finally, cleaning the exterior of the dishwasher if necessary is sometimes necessary. Using a damp cloth or sponge soaked in vinegar without diluting it will scrub and remove the dirt! Normally, no need to rub vigorously. If necessary, simply rub the walls gently and let the product act.
Good to know:
Remember that it is not recommended to put your glasses in the dishwasher if you do not want them to turn white. If it’s too late, it is sometimes possible to save these whitened glasses with vinegar or baking soda. Finally, if you are on a tight budget, don’t hesitate to make your own dishwasher tablets or powders. They will be as effective as commercial ones, but at a low price!