How to clean a dishwasher

Your household dishwasher is used for cleaning, yes, but did you know this appliance actually needs to be cleaned too? Here’s how. 

Dishwashers can be quite dirty places. Much of the mess from your plates, pots and cutlery is transferred to the dishwasher during its cycle.

In time, that mess can attract grime, mould and mildew. If it isn’t cleaned regularly, this can lead to a foul-smelling odour.

Never fear, cleaning your dishwasher is as easy as using it. Follow these three steps and your machine will look and smell like new in no time.

Step 1. Wipe down your dishwasher

Take an old rag and clear out any visible food scraps inside the dishwasher. Pay particular attention to the drainage holes.

Be sure any larger scraps are completely removed and throw them in the bin. Now, you’re ready for the easy part.

Did you know you can clean your rangehood filter in the dishwasher? Find out how.

It’s sad but true – you need to clean what cleans. Luckily it’s not hard to clean a dishwasher at all. Picture: Getty

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Step 2. Run through one cycle with vinegar

Vinegar is a natural sanitiser and is also very effective at breaking down grime and mildew. Add 1-2 cups of vinegar into a bowl and place it flat on the dishwasher tray. Then, run through one full cycle on hot water.

Forget chemicals, vinegar and bi-carb soda do a nifty and eco-friendly job of cleaning the dishwasher. Picture: Chris L Jones

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Step 3. Do another cycle using bi-carb

Sprinkle a generous amount of bi-carb soda over the bottom of the dishwasher, covering the entire area. Once that’s done, run through another cycle using hot water. The bi-carb will remove any odours that hang around in your dishwasher.

The bi-carb will remove any odours in your dishwasher. Picture: Visual Domain

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How often should you clean your dishwasher

You should clean your dishwasher as often as you need to, when you see stains built up, or when the dishwasher starts to smell. However, prevention is better than cure, so a good rule of thumb is to clean this appliance once a month. This will prevent any build up and keep your dishwasher looking great.

How to prevent mould in your dishwasher

A dishwasher is the perfect environment for mould; it’s warm, dark and there’s plenty of organic matter for mould to feed on. By cleaning the dishwasher regularly using vinegar and baking soda, you won’t give the mould a chance to grow and thrive. Also, leave the dishwasher door open for a while after a cycle to let it dry out.

Leave the dishwasher door open for a while after a cycle to let it dry out. Picture: Getty

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How to fix standing water in your dishwasher

The most common reason for standing water in the dishwasher is that food has clogged up the drainage pipes. To rectify this, remove any blockages that you see. Even small food scraps can trap more food over time and cause the drainage to block.

The vinegar wash cycle will also help as it will break down mould and grime inside the dishwasher that may be further down the plumbing.

So there you have it. A dead simple system for keeping your dishwasher clean and odour-free.