Dishwashers are a great appliance to have in your rental, but they don’t come without responsibility, and it's a common misconception that dishwashers clean themselves. After a few months of cleaning the leftovers off your dishes, food gets caught in the filter and hard water builds up around the jets, making your dishwasher less effective.
There's nothing more unappetizing than drinking out of what you thought was a freshly washed glass, only to find some caked-on mystery grime soaking inside. To prevent that horrifying moment, here’s how to spend less than 15 minutes cleaning your dishwasher so it runs like new.
What You’ll Need
- A toothpick
- Damp paper towels or rags
- A bowl of hot water and a few drops of dish soap
- A sponge or soft scrub brush
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- A dishwasher-safe bowl or mug
- 1 cup of baking soda
Clear the Inside
Remove the top and bottom dish racks and check the jets where the water sprays out for food build-up. Use something thin and sharp, like a toothpick, to remove the debris.
Use damp paper towels or rags and to wipe off any dirt from the inside of the dishwasher. If you notice mold or mildew inside the dishwasher, use diluted bleach to scrub it away. However, bleach will damage stainless steel, so avoid using it to clean your stainless steel appliances.
Wash the Filter
The dishwasher filter is typically located at the bottom of the dishwasher under the bottom rack. Depending on your dishwasher, your filter may be secured by a turning lock or a series of screws. Be aware that some filters cannot be removed, so check your dishwasher’s manual for instructions before you continue.
Carefully remove the filter by turning it clockwise or unscrewing it, then submerge it in a bowl of hot water and dish soap. Let the filter soak for about 10 minutes, then rinse it off and scrub away any trapped debris with a sponge, old toothbrush, or a soft-bristled scrubbing brush. Rinse the filter with hot water and secure the filter back in the dishwasher. Replace the top and bottom dish racks.
Clean with Vinegar
Pour one cup of white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe mug or bowl and place it upright on the top rack of your dishwasher. Run your dishwasher on the hottest setting to let the vinegar loosen up grime and sterilize the machine. The dishwasher should be empty except for the mug or bowl full of vinegar, and there should be no dishwasher detergent.
Clean with Baking Soda
After the vinegar cycle, sprinkle one cup of baking soda on the bottom of the empty dishwasher and run a hot water cycle. This will remove any smell from dirty dishes or vinegar. Once the cycle is complete, open the door to allow it to air dry and enjoy your beautifully clean dishwasher!
Depending on how often you use your dishwasher, you should thoroughly clean it every 2-4 months. Between deep cleanings, you can run a quick cleaning cycle with dishwasher cleaning pods for an easy refresh. Cleaning your dishwasher regularly will keep your dishes sparkling, allowing you to spend less time cleaning up after cooking and more time doing the things you love.
This article was originally published on June 2, 2017, by the Apartments.com Team.
