Cleaning out the Dishwasher

[NJCher]

Last edited Mon Feb 19, 2018, 10:32 AM - Edit history (1)

As part of spring cleaning, I decided to clean the dishwasher. You're supposed to do this every month, but I've not been so conscientious with that time frame.

The directions, which I found online, gave me 3 steps:

Step 1: Clear the drain
Remove the bottom dish rack. Inspect the dishwasher drain, removing any gunk or food caught there. This will improve drainage, increase cleaning efficiency and prevent damage to the dishwasher.

Only got so far with this one. We found the screws to take out the filter that surrounded the drain would not come out. We tried all kinds of tricks, but they would just spin and spin and never come out. Finally had to give up on that, but we did take vinegar and scrub the tops of the filters with a toothbrush. The manual didn't tell how to remove this filter, so I suppose the average consumer isn't supposed to go this far with dishwasher cleaning.

I used the old toothbrush to get under the area where the door closes. Yuck. That alone took 15" and about 20 paper towels.

Step 2: Vinegar wash
Start with an empty dishwasher. Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the upper rack of the machine. Run the dishwasher through a hot-water cycle. This will wash away grease and grime and remove musty odors, too.

It's going through this now.

Step 3: Baking soda rinse
Sprinkle one cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher. Run a short, hot water cycle. The dishwasher will be fresh-smelling and have a brightened, stain-free interior.

This will be my last step and the one I look forward to the most.

added 2/19:
Per Heartstring's suggestion about citric acid, I did an additional step after the baking soda in which I ran a cycle with citric acid. My dishwasher is indeed gleaming!

All in all, it has taken about 90" to dissemble the various arms, take out the racks, scrub inside, and put everything back.

[snowybirdie]

1. You lost me

at using an old toothbrush to clean out something. At my age nothing needs that kind of detail. Stop what you're doing and relax with a good book

[Heartstrings]

2. I've always run anything with citric acid through mine

Any powdered drink mix (with citric acid) will clean your dishwasher and all the mechanisms. Get some at the Dollar Store.

Had a Maytag guy tell me that years ago....it works and doesn't reek up your kitchen or require you to take anything apart.

[OregonBlue]

4. Thanks. Good to know!!

[Heartstrings]

8. You're welcome!

[NJCher]

7. Oooh! I have some!

In fact I have several bottles--stuff you put in water when cutting fruit so it doesn't turn dark.

Never thought of this--thanks for the idea!

[Heartstrings]

10. You are welcome!

[sinkingfeeling]

3. I'm sitting here beside my Kitchen aid dishwasher that was installed in 1995. I

have never cleaned it via your instructions. Bought something at a hardware store once that you put in and ran through a wash cycle.

Mine cleans beautifully, including sparklely glasses.

Relax and listen to it running.

[Yonnie3]

5. A quick wipe of the sink with dilute bleach is all that's needed here.

In this tiny kitchen, I'd not like to lose the space to add a dishwasher.

Acid wash with a base rinse is a classic cleaning method. Elbow grease is even more classic.

In the laundry business they had what they called a sour rinse that neutralized the slightly caustic wash.

Chemistry!

[csziggy]

23. To clean my sink drain I use vinegar and baking soda

When I clean my coffee pot I use white vinegar. Once the vinegar runs through the pot, I pour some baking soda in the drain and then dump the hot vinegar over it. There is lots of bubbling action and the drain works better and smells better!

Unfortunately I have given up coffee so I my just have to heat some vinegar to pour down the drain.

[Yonnie3]

24. Chemistry!

I occasionally clean the coffee pot with vinegar. The next time I will create those scrubbing bubbles like you in the sink drain.

I drink coffee, two small mugs a day. Back in the days of my corporate gig, I would have ten or more. I don't miss those long hours and stress at all.

[hlthe2b]

6. Not to hijack the thread, but thoughts on best dishwasher detergent for older dishwasher?

Those solid compressed tabs won't always dissolve so I tend toward a gel pack, liquid or powder.

I had been using the oxyclean gel packs which worked GREAT, but have been discontinued....

[Heartstrings]

9. Cascade's liquid gel has always been my go to.....

Some have Dawn added to cut the grease.

[hlthe2b]

12. thanks

[Heartstrings]

15. Hope it works for you!

🤞

[Wellstone ruled]

11. The best ever Dishwasher Cleaner is

one cup of Tang,if their is a ton of buildup,use two cups. Just simply toss it in and run it through your regular cycle. No fuse no muss. Citric Acid that is what Tang is. If you have Citric Acid in the Pantry from Canning or Jelly Making,use that.

Use it to take Rust and Lime buildup off of Sinks and Tubs. Dampen the area with water,put the Critic Acid on a 3M green pad or White pad and have at it. Bam.

[Heartstrings]

14. Yep, it's the citric acid! Nt

[Wellstone ruled]

16. Cuts the soap scum and freshens

and cleans out the drain.

[Heartstrings]

18. That it does Wellstone! Nt

[shraby]

17. Learn something every day here.

[forgotmylogin]

13. I keep a spray bottle of bleach kitchen cleaner at the sink.

And before each cycle I put 10-15 sprays in the pre-wash cup to sanitize the dishes and clean the interior.

Checking the drain mesh periodically for built-up food debris blocking it is a great suggestion.

[locks]

19. In many, many years of different dishwashers and cleaners

the only "soap" that really got my dishes clean is FINISH POWER POWDER (never a liquid). It does not seem to be on many grocery shelves now so I order it from Amazon.

[Freddie]

21. A few years ago they changed dishwasher detergent

To remove phosphates for environmental reasons. Phosphate detergent is now only available for commercial (restaurant) use. Especially if you have hard water you might notice your dishes not getting as clean or a film on the glasses, this is why. We discovered Lemi-Shine, an add-on similar to Jet-Dry but works much better in hard water. Available at Lowe’s and online.

[LakeArenal]

22. My husband was apartment matainence.

He wanted residents to use only powder. Said liquids gum up the works.

I just spray mine down with Clorox spray cleaner and leave it. No crud no rust stains. It’s probably 18 years old.

We use Cascade powder or store brand.

[Big Blue Marble]

20. Best DW cleaner is Glisten.

It is a citric acid based cleaner and it really does the job in one cycle.