Put Down The Vinegar: There's An Easier, More Effective Way To Clean Your Dishwasher

If you're looking for an easier way to clean the inside of your dishwasher when it starts smelling bad, you might want to consider changing up your routine. Vinegar is the tried-and-true solution that many of us reach for, but Affresh tablets are specifically designed to get your dishwasher clean without any added hassle: There's no scrubbing or measuring, and you can use the tablets once a month without worrying about damaging your appliance. Plus, you aren't left with a sour vinegar smell when you're done. It's the easy cleaner you can add to your dishwasher for sparkling, odor-free dishes.

You might wonder why a machine that washes things needs to be cleaned in the first place. The answer is simple. Over time, leftover food from dishes combines with soap residue to create those musty odors you might smell when you open up your dishwasher door. That smell and buildup even makes it harder for your dishwasher to get your dishes completely clean. The first step is to regularly clean your dishwasher's filters, but you'll still need to deodorize the whole thing once in a while. Vinegar does work, but you must measure it out into a container and run it through a hot water cycle. When that's done, you may also need to run another cycle with baking soda to help neutralize the vinegar smell. The downside is that if you're cleaning with vinegar too often, the acid can potentially corrode metal parts and dry out rubber seals. That's where Affresh has the advantage, beyond ease of use.

Keeping your dishwasher squeaky clean doesn't require you to break out a jug of vinegar or keep a strict cleaning schedule. Affresh tablets are made using a formula with oxygen bleach and sodium carbonate. These two ingredients attack greasy film and odor-causing deposits. They also work in most dishwashers and are safe for your septic system, according to the manufacturer. Another ease-of-use factor in the product's favor over vinegar: Cleaning can be done while you're washing dishes (or without dishes).

To clean your dishwasher, open an Affresh tablet, place it in the detergent compartment, and close it. Set your dishwasher to a normal cycle and turn it on. If you haven't cleaned your appliance in a while, you can place another tablet on the bottom of the dishwasher. There's nothing to measure and no liquids to spill.

Taking things a step further, wipe down the seals around the door after using an Affresh tablet. Also, if you use your dishwasher frequently, remove and clean out the filter in the bottom of the unit at least once a month or whenever you clean using these tablets. Larger food particles and other debris get trapped inside the filter, preventing them from recirculating over your clean dishes during the rinse cycle and from clogging up your plumbing pipes. But there they stay, until you clean the filter. You can go all in and use a toothpick to clean debris out of the spray arm holes for an even more effective clean.