Do You Need to Clean Your Dishwasher? | Maid4condos
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Do you Need to Clean Your Dishwasher?

Do you Need to Clean Your Dishwasher?
December 13, 2018

I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re thinking to yourself, “clean a dishwasher? Isn’t the purpose of a dishwasher to clean things?” Yes, your dishwasher is designed to clean your dishes, but sadly it can’t clean itself. Over time, your dishwasher can start to collect food particles. If your machine is filthy, it can begin to smell and slow down, or even impede, the washing process. The result of not cleaning your dishwasher regularly is that it could potentially start making your dishes come out dirty. So, to keep your dishwasher in perfect working order, we recommend washing it on a regular basis or whenever a funky smell starts to creep in.

young women cleaning dishwasher using gloves

Fortunately for you, the process involved in cleaning a dishwasher is simple; it takes no time at all and anyone can do it. When you follow these simple steps you can keep your dishwasher—and dishes—sparkling clean:

A few essentials to make the job easy and mess-free:

  • A clean dishcloth or sponge
  • Dish soap
  • A dishwasher-safe container
  • A pair of rubber gloves
  • Vinegar and lemon juice (optional)
  • Stainless steel cleaner
  • Steel wool
  • Clear nail polish

Step #1: Empty your dishwasher and remove all attachments

Before you begin, you need to make sure that you empty your dishwasher and remove all accessories from the interior. It goes without saying that there can’t be any dishes inside when you clean the dishwasher. You are also going to need to remove the racks and blade from inside and place them in your sink to be washed and cleared of any gunk or unwanted residue. I promise it will be gross, and it might even stink, but slap on those rubber gloves and get to work—it will be worth it when you see how much cleaner your dishes are!

Step #2: Wash the filter

The filter in your dishwasher covers the drain at the bottom of the machine and stops food particles from getting caught and plugging up your plumbing. A clogged filter can result in overflows and should be cleaned more often than the routine cleaning of your dishwasher (that’s the hope anyway). To remove the filter, unscrew the knob on the top of it and lift the screen out. Keep those gloves on and give your filter a good cleaning with warm water and soap. Use your sponge or clean dishcloth to provide it with a good scrub. I recommend letting it air dry before putting it back into place.

As a side note, if you have any trouble with your dishwasher filter, your owners manual should give you an idea of how to remove and perform maintenance on it.

Step #3: Clean the dishwasher seal

The seal refers to the rubber or plastic band that runs the all around the inside of your machine and meets the door when it is closed to stop water from escaping onto your kitchen floor. Much the like seal in your washer that has probably eaten a sock or two, to keep it clean, use a cloth and warm water to wipe it down and make sure that it is not broken or obstructed in any areas.

Step #4: De-clog the water sprayers

Much like a showerhead, the spraying arms in your dishwasher need to be cleaned to maximize the amount of water coming out. Running at full cleaning power, you will notice that after you scrub the water sprayers down that, your dishes come out much cleaner than before.

Step #5: Get rid of funky and unwanted smells

If you are noticing a funky smell coming from your dishwasher, there is an easy way to freshen it up using baking soda. If you want to try this method, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the bottom of your dishwasher and let it sit overnight. In the morning, run a normal wash cycle with absolutely nothing inside the machine. When the period is complete, you will notice that the baking soda has removed any stains and bad odours from your dishwasher.

Step #6: Wash away any rust from the latch

I get it: you might be dealing with an old, trusty, dishwashing friend that you haven’t gotten around to replacing. The problem you may be experiencing is that after a few years of continuous use, you may be noticing rust forming on the select areas of your dishwasher that come into frequent contact with water. To remove the rust, rub the spots down with steel cleaner and steel wool. Rise the treated spot and buff it dry with a dry cloth. To finish, coat it with clear fingernail polish to waterproof the metal and prevent further rust growth to that spot.

That’s it! That’s all you have to do to clean your dishwasher thoroughly. Simple, right?

If you have any questions or wish to contact Maid4Condos call (647) 822-0601 or contact us here to talk to a representative today!

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