It’s tempting to think that your dishwasher is cleaning itself as it washes your dishes. Unfortunately that’s not the case – grease, food residue and undissolved detergent can build up over time, potentially leading to odours, filter problems and affecting the quality of your clean.
Help to keep your dishwasher crystal clean with these quick cleaning hacks…
- Get in the habit of checking for debris
Every time you empty the dishwasher, pull out the bottom rack and check there’s no food debris. If there is, wipe clean with a dry reusable cloth or paper towel.
- Rinse the filter
It’s important to keep your dishwasher filter clean as any grime build-up will prevent it from working properly. Check your manufacturer’s instructions before removing and rinsing the main filter – if permitted, gently scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush can also help to remove embedded dirt.
- Run a monthly cleaning cycle
Every so often, run your dishwasher on a normal cycle without any dishes, using a specialist cleaning agent to give it a really good clean. A variety of shop-bought options are available, from tablets to liquids – they’re purposefully formulated for dishwashers, so use them according to the instructions. Diluted distilled white vinegar can also work to dissolve hard water deposits and cut through grease – although it can react with rubber components, so check your manual and only try this DIY option if the manufacturer says you can.
From microwaves to washing machines, easily clean a range of household appliances with our cleaning hacks mini-series – read the rest here.
