Dishwashers are found in nearly every household and are truly a game-changer when you have a large family. The dirty dishes can pile up rather quickly, and putting them in a machine that will wash them for you is almost magical. What many people don't realize is that you still need to clean the dishwasher regularly even though it seems self-cleaning. Luckily, the solution is quick and simple to get your dishwasher clean and ready to use.
Get Rid of Remnants
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You should be removing the leftover food from your plates as much as possible before placing your plate in the dishwasher. Some people even go as far as rinsing their plates beforehand to make sure that there are no collections of food that will clog the drain of their dishwasher. These food leftovers can clog the drain and cause damage to your dishwasher.
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When cleaning your dishwasher, the first steps are to remove the bottom rack and locate the filter. Some Kenmore dishwasher models have removable cylindrical filters, however, other Sears dishwasher models may not have filters that can be taken out. Livemore states that if you can fully remove the filter, rinse it in warm water to dislodge any accumulated debris. Otherwise, physically remove food remnants from the bottom of the dishwasher with a gloved hand.
Clean Dishwasher With Vinegar
Once you have cleaned or removed any leftover food pieces, it is time to clean the interior of your dishwasher. The best way to clean your dishwasher is with vinegar. Simply place 1 cup of white vinegar on the top rack in a dishwasher-safe glass or container and run the dishwasher through a cycle.
White vinegar has amazing cleaning properties everywhere around your home. In your dishwasher, it will remove any unwanted smells that may hit you every time you open the door and will also work away at any clogs that might accumulate in the drain. White vinegar will also remove the leftover grease from previous cycles as well as any detergent buildup that may go unnoticed.
Baking Soda for Added Clean
If you want to give your dishwasher a total clean, then you can sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your dishwasher following the vinegar cycle. Doing this will give an extra boost of clean and remove any odors or buildup that the white vinegar may have missed. Simply run an additional hot water cycle for the baking soda to work its magic. Please note to never try and run a cycle with vinegar and baking soda at the same time!
If you have noticed traces of mold or mildew, the solution may call for the stronger cleaning powers of bleach. Use a bowl filled with 1 cup of bleach in the bottom of your dishwasher and once again run a cycle. Your dishwasher should come out looking new and ready to use. Do not use the method of cleaning with bleach if the interior of your dishwasher is stainless steel, since bleach and stainless steel do not react well together. Also, note to never run a cleaning cycle with dishes in the dishwasher.