Many households throughout the U.S. use a dishwasher every day, but it’s rare that they remember to clean them, let alone deep clean them! Fortunately, it isn’t difficult to get your dishwasher spotlessly clean, and you’ll definitely notice the difference in the condition of your dishes once you do.
Why should you bother deep cleaning your dishwasher?
Not only does deep cleaning your dishwasher give you better cleaning results, but it can be better for your health, too. Studies show that there are a whole host of bacteria and fungal pathogens spending time in your dishwasher, any one of which could be harmful to your health.
With regular and deep cleaning of your dishwasher, however, these bacteria and pathogens will be systematically destroyed.
Additionally, a well maintained dishwasher (i.e. one that’s cleaned regularly) will perform better, for longer, just as any other kitchen appliance.
How often should you clean your dishwasher?
If you have hardwater, or your dishwasher is used to tackle a lot of grimy dishes every day, you may need to clean your dishwasher every week. For a less frequently used dishwasher, once a month might be enough.
How you clean your dishwasher can vary according to its condition; some dishwashers may need to have their door and gaskets cleaned with soapy water and a sponge on a regular basis, others may require this every couple of months or so. The same goes for the filter; a grubby filter should be cleaned every day to keep it functioning properly, while once weekly might be enough for a less frequently used dishwasher.
Deep cleaning is recommended to be carried out on a monthly basis, but if you find that your dishes aren’t coming out clean or the appliance is beginning to smell funky, you might need to do it more often.
How to deep clean a dishwasher
Begin by removing any visible food items and debris and wiping down the door with a microfiber cloth. Take out any removable parts, such as your utensil holder, and rinse or wipe them down until all remnants of food and grease are gone.
Next, pull out the bottom rack of your dishwasher and pull out the filter, before rinsing it under hot water. Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub at the mesh, which will help remove extra food and grime that might have gotten stuck in it. Once the filter is clean, simply replace it in the dishwasher.
Vinegar and baking soda make a great natural cleaning product for your dishwasher, and you can fill a glass with one cup of distilled white vinegar and place it on the top rack, before running a normal wash cycle. Once the cycle is done, sprinkle one cup of baking soda all over the inside floor of the dishwasher before running a short hot water rinse cycle. Finally, open the door and let the inside air dry.
A deeply cleaned dishwasher will perform better, last longer and give you hygienic results. For best results, deep clean your dishwasher monthly.
