Dishwashers, like laundry machines, are one of those things that you don’t think of when it comes to deep cleaning your home. This mentality is probably because water runs through on a regular basis, cleaning everything inside.
Buildup from food particles and standing water as dishes dry can ultimately have a detrimental impact on the cleanliness of your dishes. To ensure your dishes are kept clean, you should regularly scour your dishwasher. Here are some why’s and how’s to get the job done.
The Problem with Dirty Dishwashers
The main problem with a dirty dishwasher is that it will be ineffective when it comes to cleaning your dishes. Tiny food particles that don’t get washed away while rinsing your plates tend to add up and accumulate rather than getting flushed out with every wash. As a result, each load of dishes you do will be less clean when you remove them from the appliance.
Aside from wasting your money washing the same dishes over again, the food remnants stuck in your dishwasher cause unpleasant smells and health concerns. You are more likely to get mold from the food residue if you don’t clean it regularly. Additionally, you are more likely to get mold if you let old water stand and don’t leave your dishwasher open to dry, especially along the seals.
Finally, according to the dishwasher experts at Norris Spares, you are more likely to encounter mechanical issues with your machine and will require replacement parts and maintenance if you don’t take care of your dishwasher correctly. This is an unnecessary expense that can be avoided if the right steps are taken.
Cleaning Routines
There are a few simple steps you can take on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to ensure your dishwasher remains clean and functional. By working these steps into your regular cleaning routine, you will increase the effectiveness and lifespan of your dishwasher.
Daily Dishwasher Cleaning
Daily dishwasher cleaning tasks pertain more to preventative measures rather than cleaning your appliance. First and foremost, make sure you’re rinsing and scraping your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. This reduces the amount of residue that will inevitably end up in your filters.
When operating your dishwasher, ensure you are using a high-quality detergent that is meant for a dishwasher. You may also consider adding a rinse agent to the cleaning cycle to help remove stubborn residue that you were unable to scrape off. Using a high-quality dishwasher detergent ensures that dishes come out spic and span.
Finally, when the cleaning cycle is over, leave your dishwasher door open a crack. This helps the moisture escape so that you aren’t leaving moisture along the seals where mold tends to grow and accumulate.
Weekly Dishwasher Cleaning
Once a week, you should set aside some time to clean the dishwasher. Wipe a cloth with hot water and vinegar around the seals to deter mold growth. Take the filter out and give it a decent cleaning, scraping off residue and rinsing thoroughly.
Also, make sure you’re turning on your dishwasher at least once every other day. If you don’t, the grease and food residue can solidify, making it harder to clean.
Monthly and Bi-Monthly Dishwasher Cleaning
Once a month, wipe down the exterior of your dishwasher. While you’re at it, you might as well see to the rest of your appliances as well. Take time to refill the rinse aid and take note of any spots where mold or standing water is accumulating.
Once every few months, run your dishwasher through with a few cups of vinegar while it is otherwise empty. This will help flush the lines and clear away any lime buildup and grease residue. Place the vinegar in a clean bowl on the rack, so that it gets worked into the cleaning cycle rather than drained right away.
Keeping your dishwasher clean means keeping your dishes clean and free of germs while saving money on maintenance and replacement. Start working these simple tasks into your cleaning regimen and you’ll see the results instantly!
