Did you know the dishwashing industry is now valued at 7 billion dollars worldwide? This is because people are now willing to spend more on appliances that help them maintain good hygiene at home. Dishwashers help clean and remove food debris, spills, stains and greasy residue from your dishes and utensils and prevent cross-contamination of food.
But over time, food scraps and oily residues can build up in your appliance, making it prone to bacterial infections and germs. This can also lessen the efficiency of your dishwasher and prevent it from effectively cleaning your utensils and dirty dishes.
Thus, you must maintain a weekly and monthly cleaning routine to remove all stubborn food bits, paper clogs, dirt and grime from your dishwasher. You can also hire professional
bond cleaning in Brisbane services to deep-clean your appliance every six months to keep it hygienic and fresh.
For regular maintenance and monthly cleaning sessions, here are some of the best ways you can clean your dishwasher:
1. Arrange Your Cleaning Supplies
Bond cleaners in Brisbane suggest you arrange the cleaning supplies you need to scrub and wipe your dishwasher. These include:
Microfiber cloths
Mild dish soap
White vinegar
Baking soda
Toothbrush
Soft-bristled brush
Olive oil
Microfiber sponge
Tip
Here are some essential
cleaning products every home needs.
2. Clean Your Filter-Well And Drain Strainer Every Week
First, you must maintain the efficiency of your dishwasher by removing all food bits, dirt and grime from the corners of your dishwasher. To do this, remove the lower racks and use a microfiber cloth to dust out all the loose food bits after every dishwashing cycle.
Next, inspect your filter-well and drain strainer for any stubborn food clogs and grime stuck to the sides. Use a toothbrush dipped in mild dish soap to clean out these stubborn stains, and then rinse and dry them out.
3. Scrub The Display Buttons And Rubber Seals With A Sponge
Once your filter-well and drain strainer are clean, seasoned bond cleaners in Brisbane recommend you wipe the buttons on your dishwasher with a microfiber sponge. If stubborn stains won’t come off, dip the sponge in distilled white vinegar and then scrub these spots.
You must also clean the rubber seal of the doors carefully with a soft brush and remove dirt and grime. These rubber seals help prevent dirt and germs from escaping and also help close your dishwasher securely.
4. Use Your Instruction Manual To Remove The Filter
It is also important to clean your filter at least once every month as this can get clogged with food and greasy residue that will prevent the appliance from
cleaning and sanitising your dishes properly. There are two types of filters in your dishwasher: the coarse filter at the bottom of your dishwasher and the fine filter behind your door.
You must refer to your user manual to unlock these filters and place them in a sink filled with ½ cup of hot water and 2 cups of white vinegar. The 5% acetic acid in the vinegar will loosen grease and soap scum and keep your filters clean.
After about 20 minutes, use a brush to remove loose dirt from the filters and then rinse and place them back in your dishwasher.
5. Remove Grease Stains From The Insides With White Vinegar
Bond cleaners in Brisbane suggest you deep-clean the insides of your dishwasher every month. To do this, place a bowl filled with white vinegar in the top rack and run the hottest cycle of the dishwasher. The vinegar will mix with the water and loosen soap scum, grease and mineral deposits from your dishwasher.
Once the cycle is complete, use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the dirt and open the door to let the machine air dry.
Tip
You can also use white vinegar to
clean your grill naturally.
6. Get Rid Of Foul Smells With Baking Soda
If your dishwasher still smells foul, sprinkle baking soda on the lower rack and run a hot cycle again. The abrasive and alkaline baking soda will deodorise and absorb any foul smells from your dishwasher and make it smell fresh. Once the cycle is over, avoid using the dryer as it can
consume a lot of energy, and instead, leave the dishwasher door open to let it air-dry.
Caution
Never mix baking soda and vinegar in the same cycle, as the mixture can start foaming and make it difficult to clean.
7. Buff The Exterior Of Your Dishwasher With Olive Oil
Once you have fully cleaned your dishwasher, use mild soap to clean your exterior doors and make them shine. If you have stainless steel doors, use a microfiber cloth to scrub in the direction of the grain and use a little olive oil to shine and brighten the exteriors.
Some Additional Tips
Check the detergent dispenser for residue weekly.
Use a wire or toothbrush to remove dirt and food scraps from the water sprayer arms so it can disperse water properly in your dishwasher.
Do not over stack your dishwasher, as it can reduce its efficiency.
Wipe and rinse your dishes to remove food scraps and paper labels before placing them in the dishwasher.
If you plan on cleaning the dishes in the morning, run the rinse cycle with the dirty dishes at night to prevent any foul odours.
Check and clean your garbage disposal and drain regularly.
Conclusion
Thus, the best way to clean your dishwasher is by regularly removing food bits and scraps from its insides and corners and deep-cleaning it once every month to prevent grease and oily residues. You must not use bleach to clean your dishwasher as it can severely damage its functioning and reduce its life expectancy.
