Cleaning Dishwasher with Vinegar:

It might sound odd to “clean the dishwasher”. After all, you are using it to clean dishes, so you would think the dishwasher would say clean as well, right? Wrong! You need to clean your dishwasher periodically to keep it running efficiently and smelling fresh!

What I do is pretty simple. The directions might look involved, but really, it’s very easy.

What you need to clean a dishwasher:

Distilled White Vinegar
Baking Soda
Old soft toothbrush, q-tips, toothpicks
Soft cloth
Paper towels

Steps to clean a dishwasher:

  • Start with an empty dishwasher.
  • Fill one side of kitchen sink with distilled  white vinegar water (I just dump, but I would say 1-2 cups of vinegar with  a half full sink of water)
  • Remove the utensil holders and racks. Wipe  them down checking for stuck-on food bits and debris in the bottom of  washer.
  • Remove and disassemble the arm and grate and  filter, if you have one, from the floor of the dishwasher (I remove all  parts that I can remove by hand). Place in sink to wipe down with damp rag  and vinegar water. Make sure the holes that spray the water out on the  blades are clear of tiny bits of food, you can use a toothpick to clear  them if necessary.
  • Using paper towels, remove debris and food  gunk (I’ve even found hair??) .
  • Use a damp rag that’s been wet with vinegar  water to wipe down inside and edges of door, use a toothbrush or q-tip to  get in tiny places. *if you are having trouble removing some gunk, try  using a soft toothbrush and a baking soda paste.
  • Reassemble and replace all parts.
  • Clean garbage disposal. Then run the garbage  disposal and dump a cup of ice cubes down while it’s running, to help  remove any debris in the garbage disposal.
  • Add 2 cups of white vinegar to the bottom of  the dishwasher and turn it on to Energy or Low Wash. Stop the machine in  mid-wash, so the vinegar can set on the bottom and work. Let it stand for   about 20 minutes, then turn on to finish cycle. (sometimes I will let it  sit over night, and turn it back on to finish when I get up)
  • When done, wipe out the inside with dry paper  towels.
  • Don’t forget to wipe down the outside while  you’re at it. Depending on the type of dishwasher you have, spray the  front of your dishwasher with a mild spray cleaner or stainless steel  cleaner.
  • step back and enjoy your clean dishwasher!

 

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