Scrubbing away the greasy, burnt and stained utensils with hands have become a thing of past in many homes. Thanks to the electronic dishwashers that have made their way into our kitchens. It is because of these machines that most women (and of course men) have been breathing easy, but have you ever wondered if these dishwashers too need some care and attention from your end?
Yes, the dishwashers that keep your utensils sparkly clean too end up seeking help! Here are a few tips you can put in place to make sure that your dishwashers are clean, hygienic and also perform effectively.
Why Do You Need To Clean Dishwasher?
The dishwasher cleans the utensils using detergent and hot water. It is but obvious that during the repeated washing cycles the food particles clog the drain. Due to this clogging, the amount of water supplied for rinsing and wash cycles gets reduced, leaving behind food residues and film of soap on the utensils.
Washing your dishwasher often makes it clean your dishes effectively and also extends its lifespan.
How Often Should You Clean Dishwasher?
How regularly you should wash your dishwasher depends on how often you use it. According to appliance experts, the dishwasher’s drain and filters should be cleaned once a month. This keeps it running smoothly and efficiently.
How to Clean Dishwasher?
If you have never deep cleaned your dishwasher or it has been some time since you last deep cleaned it, you are not alone. Most of them only resort to running a washing cycle with an empty chamber, but this is not enough.
While many people do not deep clean their dishwashers assuming that it is a herculean task, the truth is that it is as simple as using the dishwasher itself!
By following the dishwasher cleaning tips below, you can deep clean the dishwasher within snap of a finger.
Dishwasher Cleaning Requirements
Dishwasher Cleaning Steps
Before you begin to clean dishwasher, you must understand the parts of the dishwasher. Let’s see the various parts of dishwasher.
Now that you are aware of all the parts of dishwasher, follow the steps mentioned below to clean your dishwasher easily.
01. Wash The Dishwasher Filter
Do you know where the filter is located? If not, you can refer to your appliance manual. However, most of the dishwasher’s filters are located under the spray arms at the bottom of the machine’s interior.
To remove the filter, turn it counterclockwise and lift it. After taking it out, wash away the greasy or excess remains you may find. Then, dip it in warm soap water and rinse it for about ten minutes.
Always go through the care and use guide for specific instructions, because in some dishwasher filters are not removable.
02. Examine The Dishwasher Drains
It is necessary to check the dishwasher drains too and just in case you do not know where the drain is located, check the bottom of the basin, underneath the spray arm. Once you locate it, inspect the drains by pulling out the machine’s bottom rack.
Now, wipe off the residues stuck here using a tissue or a kitchen towel. Any hard piece or material remaining here can clog the drains, scratch the vessels or even damage the pump. A clean drain increases the cleaning efficiency and prevents damage to the dishwasher.
03. Use Vinegar For Cleaning Dishwasher
For ages now, households have counted on vinegar for cleaning difficult stains to greasy scum. Even when it comes to your dishwasher, vinegar can be a great savior. Fill the dishwasher-safe bowl with 500ml of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) or plain white vinegar and place it on your dishwasher’s lower rack. Make sure that the device only has the vinegar filled bowl. Now run a normal cycle, with dry heat option turned off.
This process will clear out grease or grime stuck in your machine and also drives out the musty odor. After you’re done, you can use a toothbrush to remove any hard-to-remove stains and then replace the filter.
You can either use diluted vinegar or white apple cider vinegar. However, it is advisable to use the distilled white vinegar as it doesn’t have any coloring agent that can stain the dishwasher’s surface.
04. Rinse The Dishwasher Using Baking Soda
Once you are done with the Vinegar wash, it is now the turn for another ‘darling of homemade cleaning supplies’ to do its bit. Yes, baking soda is a wonder substance that can be put to work to clean the dishwasher.
Sprinkle a cup of baking soda around the dishwasher’s bottom and run the machine on a short cycle with a hot water setting. The baking soda wash can take your ‘clean dishwasher’ operation to the next level by deodorizing the machine and also removing stains.
Is it advisable to Use Commercial Dishwasher Cleaners?
Yes, it is perfectly fine to pick commercial dishwasher cleaner, especially when you notice a bad odor emanating from your dishwasher and also when you notice that your utensils are not being rendered clean after the washing cycle.
Grease, dishwasher soap scum and bits of food leftovers come together and form deposits at the corner of the dishwasher. This causes unpleasant smell in the kitchen. In such a situation, one can use the commercial dishwasher cleaners.
What are the Benefits of Commercial Dishwasher Cleaners?
There are many benefits of using commercial dishwasher cleaner.
01. Prevents Clogging
Lime-build up and soap scum are the two major culprits for clogging, which in turn reduce your machine’s efficiency over time. Dishwasher cleaner is the weapon to fight these culprits. The dishwasher cleaners prolong the lifespan of your dishwasher by preventing clogging and also reduce the maintenance cost.
02. Remove Odor
Commercial dishwasher cleaner is a must if the dishwasher smells foul. Further, most of the dishwasher’s parts are made of metals, which are prone to rusting, which again can cause many ailments. However, if you get a dedicated commercial dishwasher cleaner, you’ll not only keep everyone safe, but you’ll also eliminate the unpleasant smell from your machine.
03. Disinfect Your Dishwasher
When it comes to disinfecting the dishwasher, commercial dishwasher cleaners come very handy as against the DIY disinfecting methods. There are many cleaners available in the markets, which kill disease-causing organisms.
04. Maintain Shine
Stains and marks on the surface of the machine make it look unpleasant. To avoid the same, you can have a dedicated commercial dishwasher cleaner that can keep your machine’s surface clean and glittery.
Types of Commercial Dishwasher Cleaners
There are three different types of commercial dishwashers available in the market. They are-
01. Dishwasher Powder
This is the cheapest type of commercial dishwasher cleaner available. As the name suggests, it is in powder form. The disadvantage of this kind of product is that you may over pour the powder, clogging the duct, which may in turn lead to inefficient cleaning.
02. Dishwasher Tablets
Dishwasher tablets are the standard form of dishwasher detergent. The advantage is that these tablets are accessible in pre-measured dosages. Unlike powder and gel, dishwasher tablets cannot be over poured.
However, they are expensive as they have detergents and other additives, which thoroughly clean your dishwasher.
03. Dishwasher Gel
The gel form of dishwasher cleaners available in the market is priced in the mid-range. They are neither thin like liquid soaps nor thick like the powdered form.
However, the flipside of the gel is that it does not dissolve properly, causing water spots on the surface of the dishwasher.
Which are the Best Commercial Dishwasher Cleaners?
Nowadays, dishwasher cleaners have been filling the racks of the super markets and selecting the right one is no more a cakewalk.
However, we have put together the four best recommended dishwasher cleaners for you.
01. Lemi Shine Dishwasher Cleaner
This dishwasher cleaner is powered with citric extracts that can efficiently remove the build-ups that can affect your machine’s performance.
02. Finish Dishwasher Cleaner
It is the most convenient and easy to use dishwasher cleaner. To use it, you’ll have to peel the sticker on the top and place it in the lower rack of an empty dishwasher, upside down and then run a heavy wash cycle to break mineral deposits and grease down in the hard-to-reach spots.
03. Cascade Dishwasher Cleaner
These cleaners come in suitable single-dose packs. You should pop it into your dispenser and run the dishwasher on an empty hi-temp cycle to use it effectively. By doing this, you can easily melt away grease deposits and lime scale in the dishwasher, leaving it sparkling clean.
04. Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner
If you are looking for a quick fix, then Affresh dishwasher cleaner is for you. It cleans your machine while the dishwasher still cleans the dishes. All you’ve got to do is put detergent in the dispenser and the tablet on the dishwasher’s bottom and then run the cycle as usual.
Now that you’ve got to know the ‘A to Z’ of keeping your dishwashers clean, did you know that your cutleries are not the only things that a dishwasher couldn’t clean?
There are many things that can be surprisingly cleaned using the dishwasher.
For more information, click the link below –
Cleaning your dishwasher often boosts the performance of the dishwasher, prolongs its lifespan and also cuts down the repair/ maintenance cost. If you think your dishwasher needs your attention then why procrastinate the much-needed cleanse?
Leave your comments and queries below so that we can reply to you.
Image Courtesy: Image 1, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5, Image 6, Image 7, Image 11, Image 12, Image 13, Image 14
Author Bio
Fidelis Kinai – Fidelis Muti possess a bachelor’s in English and Journalism and have over four years of professional experienced writing and proofreading materials for print and online platforms, including newspapers, magazines, websites, blogs, and social media accounts. He also have over three years of experience as a marketing assistant and social media manager.
He is versatile and diligent and will produce exemplary content within time to meet your deadline.
He can deliver most work within 2-3 days; rush orders are accepted whenever possible. He is based in the Kenya but travel often and work for clients all over the world.
