How to Clean Your Dishwasher

Got Gunk?  Here is how to clean your Dishwasher.

The idea of cleaning a dishwasher seems silly, why clean a product that's sole purpose is to clean items?
Well, if you think of a Vacuum cleaner, it does an excellent job of cleaning up messes.  But if you do not clean and maintain your vacuum the performance can be compromised, same with your dishwasher.
If you do not clean out the filter, or take the wash arm off and clean around the macerator the performance of the dishwasher can be compromised.
Buildup of soap scum, food particles, grease, and hard water deposits can collect and make the dishwasher work harder than it should and therefore could cause issues down the road. With a new dishwasher, it is even more important.  The volume of water used now is a fraction of what it was in the past, making it less likely to rinse away the gunk that builds up.  A little cleaning can help keep your dishwasher working its best for years to come.

Step One  - the stuff we can see

First we need to remove the heavy gunk that collects in the unseen corners.  

Remove the bottom rack of the dishwasher so that you can access the filter or macerator depending on the model that you have.  

If you have a filter twist it in a counter-clockwise motion, and it should just pop right out.  

Give it a wash in your kitchen sink to get rid of any food particles that have collected along the screen.  

Getting rid of this debris is not only right to assist in keeping a clean dishwasher, but not doing this could impede water flow.  

Also wipe down the area where the door seals with the tub of the dishwasher, this area also can collect the gunk.  

Step Two  - get the stuff that is hidden from sight

With the right tools, it is easier than it sounds.  But getting the filters and lines inside your dishwasher is the most important part of cleaning for longterm dishwasher care.  I use LimeFresh or Affresh Tablets.  Both are products made for cleaning the inside of the dishwasher.  They are both citric acid based, making it safe to be around our plates and utensils. We sell both in store at Barber & Haskill and can confidently recommend the cleaning results.    I love how shiny the stainless steel interior of my personal dishwasher is after running it through a cycle with the cleaner.
 

Or

For the DIYer here are two home based ingredients that are safe and useful for getting the job done.
  
I recommend using both methods in sequence.

1- Using a “dishwasher –safe” container, pour one cup of vinegar into the container and place it in the top rack of your empty dishwasher.  Close the door to the dishwasher and run the dishwasher on a hot water cycle.
2 -Now it’s time to use one cup of baking soda.  Spread it in the bottom of the dishwasher and then run your dishwasher using a hot water cycle on the shortest cycle that you have available.
 

by: Jenn Okeefe

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