How to clean your dishwasher

If anyone is the unsung hero of our kitchen, let’s point our fingers towards the dishwasher. No wonder how dutifully it handles the kitchen aftermaths, leaving our dishes as clean as the new ones. However, just like us, our appliances need little care to make their way in the long run. Cleaning your dishwasher is beyond a daily chore; it’s a crucial step to ensure the appliance’s longevity along with spotless cleaning.   

Let’s help you with a step-by-step guide on a dishwasher’s basic DIY cleaning process.   

Here's how you can clean your dishwasher

Follow these simple steps below to clean your dishwasher like a breeze.   

1. Collect your supplies
2. Take out the racks, filters, and utensil holder
3. Clean the interior walls and corners with vinegar and baking soda
4. Collect all the particles from the dishwasher drain
5. Clean the exterior door  

1. Collect your supplies

Before you sit for your dishwasher cleaning chores, make sure you have these common tools handy with you. While there are plenty of options to choose from, it is advisable to use warm water, dish soap, microfiber cloth, distilled white vinegar, baking soda, toothbrush and rubber gloves.  

2. Take out the racks, filters, and utensil holder

To begin the cleaning, you first need to remove the dishwasher racks, utensil holders, and filters and drip them into your sink in a mixture of warm water and white distilled vinegar. Keep them at least for half an hour to remove food particles and trapped odours.

3. Clean the interior walls and corners with vinegar and baking soda

Now that you have removed the racks, you will find ample space to clean the interior walls of the dishwasher. Clean the corners and the dishwasher walls with soapy water. Pay attention to the spray arms.

ALSO READ: ACs to refrigerators: How to properly clean these home appliances.

Make sure the spray arms from which the soap water gets sprayed into the dishes have no food debris trapped inside. Clean these holes gently with a toothbrush.  

4. Collect all the particles from the dishwasher drain

A dishwasher drainer is designed to collect all the waste particles post-cleaning of your utensils. You need to find the drain and remove any waste chunk that is left post-wash. It ensures optimal cleaning by your dishwasher. Dishwashers need a clog-free passage to drain out the excess food waste. Ensure that the drainage passage is seamless.  

5. Clean the exterior door

Clean the exterior door with a soft microfiber cloth and delicate detergent that is meant for stainless steel. Don’t use any harsh fabric or hard chemical content detergent to clean the door, as it might lead to scratches or even affect the colour of the door.   

While these are the basic DIY steps to ensure basic cleaning, it is always recommended to call professional cleaners if you are looking to deep clean your dishwashers. To ensure hassle-free cleaning at your doorstep by trained professionals, please get in touch with ZipCare by Croma.