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*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
Dishwashers are now in almost every home. With their help, you can easily wash the dishes, but the machine itself also needs to be cleaned from time to time. Rinse your dishwasher with detergent to avoid stains.
Cleaning does not require special techniques:
For everyday cleaning, a regular dishwashing detergent is suitable. Dilute one tablespoon of detergent in a bucket of warm water.
Soak a paper towel, soft cloth, or sponge in the solution. Squeeze out excess liquid – electrical components can suffer from excess moisture. Wipe the outside of the dishwasher door, paying special attention to the corners and the handle, there can be a lot of hidden dirt. If the door is heavily soiled, you can use glass cleaner instead of soapy water.
Dish baskets also need to be cleaned. Take them out and wash them well in a bucket of soapy water. Use paper towels to clean up stubborn food.
Next, you need to clean the bottom of the dishwasher. Fat and solid food residues often accumulate along its edges, which can cause blockages when they enter the drain hole. Use paper towels to get rid of debris at the bottom. Then wash it with soapy water. If you periodically carry out such a procedure, you will not have to contact plumbers.
Wash the inside walls and door of the dishwasher. As in the case of the bottom, first collect as much dirt as possible with paper towels. Then wash the surface with soapy water.
Under the door is the so-called “dead zone” – water does not get there, and food remains accumulate. Dip the brush in the soap solution and scrub the area thoroughly.
Before you start using the dishwasher again, you need to clean it of the remnants of the soapy solution. Wet a clean cloth with running water and wipe down any surfaces you have cleaned.
It is advisable to clean the dishwasher at least once every 1-2 months.
Cleaning the filter and sprinklers
If your dishwasher is not performing well, it could mean that the drain, filter, or rinsing blades are clogged. To return the device to working capacity, you need to clean them from food debris. Here’s how to do it:
Unscrew the filter. They look different in different models, but they are always located at the bottom of the dishwasher. Under the rinsing paddles you will see a cylinder. Turn it clockwise to pull it out. Do the same with any parts under the filter – most of them consist of several blocks. If you cannot easily remove the filter, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Rinse the filter parts under warm waterremove as much food debris as possible. If the filter mesh is clogged with dirt, rub it with a brush. Wipe the filter components with paper towels.
Pull out the sprinklers They look like plastic blades. To do this, you need to bend the latches and pull the blades towards you. Then clean the sprayer under warm water.
There are several small holes on top of the sprinkler – through them water enters the plates. Sometimes they become clogged with particles of food and sand. Remove debris from the holes with a toothpick.
It is also recommended to clean the filters at least once every 1-2 months. But more often is better, especially if you do not use the dishwasher every day. Harmful bacteria and mold can begin to develop in food residues on the filter.
How to clean your dishwasher from stubborn stains and odors
If you’re having trouble cleaning your dishwasher with soapy water, use this safe and effective method:
Fill a deep bowl with 470 cups (XNUMX ml) of white vinegar. Put it in the top basket. You can also use specialized dishwasher detergents. They are stronger than vinegar and better cope with mineral deposits;
Close the dishwasher. Turn it on on a normal wash cycle. Hot water will dilute and disperse the vinegar, giving your dishwasher more shine. When the cycle is over, let the water drain and evaluate the appearance of your dishwasher;
If there are still some stains left after cleaning with vinegar, baking soda will effectively cope with them. Spread one cup (180 grams) of baking soda evenly across the bottom of the dishwasher;
Close the dishwasher. Run a short wash cycle. Don’t use long cycles as baking soda is abrasive. If after this treatment the dishwasher is still not clean, you will need a more powerful tool.
In some dishwashers, vinegar can be replaced with citric acid or enzyme cleaners. Acidic agents should be used with caution as they can damage silicone gaskets. Therefore, if possible, replace them with enzyme detergents.
However, “enzymes” do not cope with scale and mineral deposits. Therefore, you can alternate. After every 3-4 enzyme cleansing, treat with vinegar or citric acid.
How to clean mold from dishwasher
Ugly green, brown and black spots are signs of mold. Vinegar and soda may not be able to cope with them. Instead of this:
Spread half a cup (120 ml) of bleach evenly across the bottom of the dishwasher.
Close the dishwasher. Turn it on on a normal wash cycle.
Вthat’s it! If your dishwasher is made of stainless steel, do not use bleach, it can seriously damage the machine. Instead, rub the stains with warm water, soap, and special products for PMM.
Never mix bleach with vinegar. They react and create toxic chlorine gas. Use these products separately by rinsing the dishwasher thoroughly.
Useful Tips
Some problems are easier to prevent than to solve. That’s why:
If, after washing the dishes, something remains at the bottom of the dishwasher, immediately remove it;
Load dishes correctly – cups in baskets upside down, and plates not close to each other. Otherwise, water with detergent will not freely fall on them;
When choosing a detergent, rely on the manufacturer’s recommendations;
Dried pieces of food can be sprinkled with detergent and allowed to soak for a few minutes. After that, they will be much easier to clean;
When putting new dishes to wash, make sure that there are no stickers on them that can clog the drain of the dishwasher;
Before starting the dishwasher, remove large food residues from the dishes.
Also use special salt for PMM, it helps to soften the water and prevents scale formation.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.