Your dishwasher is one of the most important appliances in your kitchen. Follow these key tips to keep it running smoothly for years to come!
Keep Your Machine Clean
Even though your dishwasher is designed to clean your dishes, the appliance itself sometimes needs cleaning as well. Over time, soap, minerals, and grease can become stuck on interior surfaces. The good news—there’s an easy fix!
You can clean your dishwasher with a pre-made citric acid or dishwasher cleaner, or you can use white vinegar for a DIY solution. If you use a prepared cleaner, follow the instructions on the packaging. If you’re going the DIY route, simply pour a cup of vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher, select a deep clean cycle, and run the dishwasher using the hottest water possible. This will wash away any accumulated grime and leave your dishwasher as fresh as new.
Check Your Drain Filter
When your dishwasher removes food particles from your dishes, those mostly get washed away through the drain at the bottom of your machine. If there are particularly large bits of food, though, the drain filter will likely block those so they don’t create a clog.
This is great for keeping the drain clear but can cause issues with draining and overall functionality. It’s easy to keep an eye on the drain filter, though, and to clean it out when you notice any debris. Just remove the filter, soak it in hot, soapy water, and give it a scrub with a dish brush or sponge. You can even make this part of a monthly cleaning routine so that your filter stays clear all year long.
Give Your Door Seal Some TLC
Your dishwasher door seal has a simple, yet essential function. It keeps the water inside your dishwasher when you run a cycle. If this seal accumulates any buildup, mold, or mildew, that can lead to leaks or compromised cleaning action.
You can keep the door seal in tip-top shape by wiping it down regularly with a vinegar solution. If there are any food particles present, gently scrub those away with warm, soapy water to make sure the seal stays intact.
Get Rid of Mold and Mildew
Even if your dishes come out dry, it’s likely that there is still a fair amount of moisture present in your dishwasher after a cycle. Over time, this can lead to mold or mildew growth, which will create an unpleasant smell and an unsanitary dishwasher interior.
If you notice a moldy or musty odor, you can fill your detergent dispenser with bleach and run an empty cycle to clean everything out. If you have a stainless steel dishwasher, you can also try an unsweetened citrus drink mix as a cleaning agent—the citric acid will clean the detergent dispenser and dishwasher interior so it’s as good as new.
While each of these steps addresses a specific issue, they all contribute to keeping your dishwasher as clean and functional as possible over the long run. With regular care, you can avoid costly repairs and extend the life of this essential appliance.
If you need dishwasher assistance in Rockaway or the Morris County area, call Morris County Appliance Repair today. Our team has over 50 years of experience providing comprehensive appliance repairs and we make customer service a priority on every call. Morris County Appliance Repair—You Can Count On Us!