How To Run Your Dishwasher To Clean The Inside
For those who love to cook, the dishwasher is one of the most important appliances in the kitchen. With its ability to wash and rinse large amounts of dishes and utensils at a time, the dishwasher is a miracle worker that drastically cuts down the time we spend in front of the sink every time we cook for our friends and loved ones. Dishwashers also use less water to do the job rather than washing by hand, making it a more economical and environmentally friendly option as well.
Like any other kitchen appliance, the dishwasher requires a certain level of upkeep to work properly. This is especially important when said appliance is designed to remove food debris and sanitize your dishes for future use. A dirty dishwasher is not only unsanitary, but it also emits unpleasant smells. Luckily, with a couple of ingredients you can find in your kitchen — vinegar and baking soda — you can make the interior of your dishwasher nice and clean.
Clean your dishwasher
To clean the interior of the dishwasher, you will need a dishwasher-safe container, such as a glass bowl or beaker, and white vinegar or baking soda. Fill a container with white vinegar and balance the container on the upper rack of the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher, without any soap, on the highest temperature setting but without any drying cycle. When finished, open the dishwasher and let the interior air dry.
Alternatively, you can use baking soda to clean the interior of a dishwasher. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda on the bottom of the appliance, and just like the vinegar method, run the appliance at a high-temperature setting and let it air dry afterward. Either method should eliminate foul odors from the interior of the dishwasher. For a more thorough cleaning, you should also clean the racks and silverware basket individually over the sink with hot water and soap. Avoid using bleach if your dishwasher has a stainless steel interior, as bleach would damage it.
Maintain your dishwasher
Aside from cleaning the interior to eliminate foul odors, there are several things you can do regularly to maintain your appliance for peak performance. For example, the dishwasher filter, which is used to trap larger pieces of food debris, should be emptied and cleaned on a regular basis. It is also helpful to flush the drain with warm vinegar and almost boiling water to clear the drain lines and prevent clogs.
Aside from using it to clean the interior of a dishwasher, you can also use white vinegar to clean other appliances and eliminate odors. For example, you can wipe down the inside of the fridge with a mild water and vinegar solution. You can also use vinegar to clean the interior of a microwave, eliminating odor and food splatter. Combine a small amount of white vinegar and a breaker of water and heat the mixture inside the microwave for at least 5 minutes. Leave the hot mixture in the microwave for another several minutes, so the steam and heat would dislodge any stubborn residue. Open the microwave and remove all moving parts to clean, and wipe down the interior with a damp cloth.