It is easy to forget that even our dishwasher need to be cleaned regularly. Monthly cleaning of your dishwasher will help prevent germs and buildup, in turn your dishes will come out clean and sanitary. If left uncleaned, food particles and grime will impact how well your dishwasher performs and leave you with dirty dishes even after a cleaning cycle. It may also reduce the life expectancy of your appliance. By not cleaning your dishwasher you are putting yourself and your family at risk for illness from using dirty utensils, unsanitary cups and plates. Follow these simple steps to keep your dishwasher clean and running effectively.
Step One - Remove Rack and Clean Strainer
Remove the bottom rack and examine the drainage strainer on the bottom of the dishwasher's interior. Remove any food or small items that might be clogging the holes. Use a soft-bristle brush dipped in distilled vinegar. Wipe down the bottom rack with a microfiber cloth to remove any food particles or heavy grime. Return the rack to its position in the dishwasher.
Step Two - Run Cycle With Vinegar
Fill a glass or plastic container with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar. Put the open container on the center of the top rack of the dishwasher. Run a regular wash cycle. No need to run a drying cycle in this step.
Step Three - Rinse With Baking Soda
When the first cycle is finished, sprinkle the inside of the dishwasher with 1 cup of baking soda. Run a hot water rinse cycle, skip the drying cycle. Once the wash cycle is complete open the dishwasher door to allow the interior to air dry. The vinegar will strip away any grease buildup, and the baking soda will remove lingering odors.
WARNING Do Not add vinegar and baking soda in the same cycle. This will cause the solution to foam and possibly make a large mess!
Step Four - Cleaning The Outside of a Dishwasher
How you clean the outside of your dishwasher depends on its finish (stainless steel, plastic or painted) but there are general steps that almost everyone can do.
First the button controls and handle
If the dishwasher has buttons, dials and a handle take time to clean around them with an old toothbrush dipped in water and a bit of dish soap. Use a microfiber cloth to dry and polish.
Clean and Rinse the Door
If the exterior of the dishwasher door is plastic or a painted metal you will want to use mild dish soap and a microfiber cloth to remove any splatters on the front of the dishwasher. Finish by rinsing with a cloth dampened in clean water, and polish dry with a dry microfiber cloth.
For Stainless Steel Door
It is best to use a cleaner made for stainless steel appliances and a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Always follow the product instructions, and always wipe in one direction; in the same direction as the grain of the metal.
Now you can enjoy truly clean dishes! Make sure to clean once a month (twice a month if you have hard-water) to keep this important appliance sanitary and properly functioning.
This is blog is informational only. Luxurious Cleaning Services and most other house cleaning services do not offer interior dishwasher cleaning.
