It might seem strange to worry about how to clean your dishwasher. After all, it’s an appliance with a job of washing dishes. But these handy machines need routine cleaning just like your other kitchen appliances. That’s because the door attracts fingerprints every time you load it with dirty dishes, and the interior (especially the corners and crevices) accumulates residue comprised of food particles, grease, and soap scum. Not only do these deposits look bad, they eventually begin to make your dishwasher stink because of bacteria that thrives in warm, moist, and dark places. Cleaning your dishwasher doesn’t take much and doesn’t need to be done very often. In fact, monthly cleaning can keep your dishwasher looking like new and running well.
Step 1: Clean the Door
Keep the dishwasher door fingerprint-free by wiping the outside with warm, sudsy water. Or use a homemade dishwasher cleaner. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 quart of water. Avoid harsh cleansers or too-tough scouring pads that might scratch the dishwasher’s finish. When the door is clean, wipe it dry with a soft cloth. Wipe away tricky fingerprints and smudges with a little rubbing alcohol on a soft, dry cloth.
Open the dishwasher door so you can get at its top and sides. Dip a small toothbrush in hot, soapy water, and scrub around the door. Make sure you dig into the grooves of the rubber seal and any other crevices, including the hinges. This step might require gentle scrubbing with abrasive cleanser if there is a lot of buildup. Wipe up the resulting grime with a household sponge dipped in hot soapy water. Wipe away any cleaning solution left behind with a clean, wet sponge.
Step 2: Clean the Tub
Before you start cleaning the tub, use a handful of paper towels to grab any debris from the base of the dishwasher. You’ll find most of the debris around the drain.
Once the debris is removed, you’ll want to run a cycle to clean the dishwasher. (It should be run empty.) You can use one of several DIY dishwasher cleaners. Here’s how to clean a dishwasher with vinegar: simply set a dishwasher-safe cup of plain white vinegar on the top rack. Then run a full cycle, choosing the hottest water possible to disinfect the unit while it’s being cleaned. When the cycle is done, wipe out the inside of the dishwasher with paper towels or a clean, dry cloth.
In place of vinegar, you can put a packet of unsweetened lemonade mix in the soap cup. Learn how to clean your dishwasher with baking soda, too, by sprinkling a cup of it on the bottom of the tub. For either method, run a complete cycle using the hottest water possible. Each will help clean and freshen your dishwasher.
Step 3: Clean the Accessories and Parts
Next, clean the dishwasher accessories and parts. Take out the racks and utensil holders. Wipe off any stuck-on food particles or other debris. Scrub the spray arm with a soft brush or toothbrush to remove clogs.
Step 4: Clean the Filter
To access the dishwasher filter, pull the bottom rack all the way out. The filter is usually located in one of the bottom, back corners of the appliance. If your filter is removable, twist to remove it from the dishwasher and rinse under hot running water to remove food particles and other debris. Wipe out the area beneath the filter inside the dishwasher with a damp cloth, sponge, or toothbrush. Once clean, add the clean dishwasher filter back into place.
Note that filters vary greatly across appliances. Refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to clean your dishwasher filter. (Don’t have the manual? Many manufacturers have them available on their websites.)
Step 5: Tackle Rust Stains
Depending upon your water source and the state of your pipes, you might see mineral or rust stains inside your dishwasher. Check the laundry detergent section of your home center for products that remove rust stains from clothing or appliances. Place the product into the soap dispenser cup in your dishwasher and sprinkle some freely on the bottom. Run the empty dishwasher through a complete cleaning cycle.
Since the source of rust stains is systemic (e.g. your water comes from a private well or your home’s pipes are rusty), you will likely need to repeat this process on a regular basis unless you take care of the problems at their source. You might also want to ask a plumbing contractor to install a filter that can help with rust control.
Step 6: Eliminate Hard Water and Mineral Buildup
Depending on the type of water you have, your dishwasher may be susceptible to hard water deposits or mineral buildup. Cleaning with lemon can work wonders. Place a cup of lemon juice in the top rack or basket of your dishwasher and run a normal cycle. The acidic lemon juice will work to remove hard water spots and iron buildup.
The best way to clean a dishwasher is by doing a thorough cleaning once a month and tackling smudges and splatters on the exterior as they happen.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
