How to get your dirty dishwasher sparkling clean again in 5 steps
A dishwasher is many people’s best friend. But like everything in life, a dishwasher can sometimes come with its drawbacks. For example, there are things you should never put in the dishwasher, and plastic in the dishwasher isn’t always ideal. And what if the machine itself is dirty? How do you clean it? With the following 5 tips, your dishwasher will once again become the shining centerpiece of your kitchen.
That’ll save you another argument about the thing. Because honestly, we’ve all been there (especially when we have to load the dishwasher).
1. Remove all unnecessary food
It’s downright disgusting, all those food scraps left behind in the machine. They start to smell and take on a life of their own. So check whether there are any stray food scraps in the machine every time you load it. Check the racks and small corners carefully: food often gets stuck there. If you keep on top of it, this is done in no time.
2. Wash certain machine parts by hand
Some dishwasher parts are very easy to clean by hand. These are the parts you can remove from the machine, such as the racks and the cutlery basket. Place them in a large container with water and a cup of vinegar. Let them soak for 20 minutes and dry the parts thoroughly before putting them back in the machine.
3. Clean the machine
For the real cleaning enthusiasts among us: give the dishwasher a thorough clean once a week. Less keen on cleaning? Once a month is already a great goal. In any case, remove the loose parts from the machine and place a cup containing either baking soda or vinegar inside it. Don’t use both! The easiest thing is to place the cup on the top rack of the machine. Now run the hottest program. Once the program has finished, let the machine dry. In the meantime, you can clean the dishwasher filter. You’ll see that lots of food scraps stick to it. Remove the filter, rinse it with water and scrub it clean with dish soap. Rinse off the dish soap afterward and let the filter dry before putting it back.
4. Clean the drain
Everything—absolutely everything—in the dishwasher goes ‘out’ through the drain. All those food and soap residues make the drain greasy and can cause an unpleasant smell if you don’t clean it in time. So clean the drain with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a small bowl of vinegar. Pour this mixture into the drain and let it soak for about 15 minutes. Then flush it through with hot water. Your drain is now not only clean, but it also won’t get clogged anymore.
5. Clean the outside
You probably open the dishwasher several times a day. As a result, dirty, greasy marks appear on it. So it’s important to clean them. First remove the marks with a dry cloth. Then dip the cloth in warm water and wipe down the outside. Dry it again with a clean, dry cloth, and your dishwasher will shine like never before.
Also read:
- Incredible but true: a steak from the dishwasher
- Rinse plates first? This is why you should put them straight in the dishwasher
- From dishwasher to Michelin-starred chef: here’s how
Source: food.ntv.com
