How to Clean a Dishwasher

If your dishwasher use is like mine, it gets used in cycles (no pun intended).

There are times when I use it a lot and then there are times when I prefer to wash the dishes.

Water can collect in your dishwasher and produce an awful smell, not to mention the bacteria that are probably growing in there as well. To prevent this, clean your dishwasher regularly.

I use my dishwasher to store dishes I wash in the sink, so water collects in the bottom on a regular basis. This could lead to mold and mildew in the dishwasher. Anything like that sitting in the bottom could be washed across the dishes during a wash cycle. Yuck!

When you clean your dishwasher, it should be empty. Read the material that came with your dishwasher. The literature may recommend a specific cleaner be used for your appliance. You don’t want to void your warranty by using an unapproved cleaning agent that could ruin the appliance. Also, make sure that your washing water is at the recommended temperature to ensure safe cleaning of your dishes.

Your dishwasher may contain mold or scale deposits from standing water or the specific liquids and powders used to clean the dishes. There are ways to get rid of these problems.

If your problem is mold, then you must remove it to keep it from spreading. Bleach will kill just about anything bacterial in nature. You don’t need much to do the job. Add a tablespoon of bleach to your dishwasher.

Run a normal dishwashing cycle. Check to see if all signs of the mold have been removed. If some remains, repeat the process. The bleach will also clean the racks and the silverware basket if any food particles have gotten trapped on them.

To clean scale off of the inside of your dishwasher, you need an acid such as citric acid. Some experts recommend Tang® Drink mix. Run a normal dishwashing cycle. The acid will remove the deposits and any discoloration inside the dishwasher.

For general cleaning of your dishwasher, you can use vinegar or baking soda. When using vinegar, pour some in a mug and place it in the dishwasher. Run a normal dishwashing cycle. With baking soda, sprinkle it in the bottom of the dishwasher and run a normal cycle. Both of these products will reduce the odor and incidents of mold when used regularly.

Keeping your dishwasher clean is a must. Your family uses these dishes and utensils on a daily basis when preparing and eating their food. Shouldn’t you make every effort to safeguard their health?

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