Vinegar can become one of your best allies when cleaning any kitchen device and the dishwasher is one of the most benefited by it.

In a previous article, we discussed cleaning the dishwasher —our main conclusions being that yes, it is a thing that we have to do, and no, the dishwasher does not really wash itself.

Why Cleaning Your Dishwasher is Important

Your dishwasher is a hard-working appliance that saves you a lot of time and effort in the kitchen. However, it’s easy to forget that it needs some TLC too. Neglecting to clean your dishwasher can lead to unpleasant odors, buildup of food particles, and even damage to the dishwasher itself. That’s why it’s important to make cleaning your dishwasher a regular part of your kitchen cleaning routine.

Make sure to have 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 cup of baking soda, and warm, soapy water.

First Step: The Filter

We’re heading directly to the dirtiest parts: the filter and filter tray. Unscrew the filter and filter tray from the bottom of your dishwasher. Take a bowl of warm, soapy water and submerge the items in it. It’s absolutely not recommended to scrub the filter with a sponge. Let the items submerge for about ten minutes, rinse, and replace them in their original place.

Second Step: The Vinegar

Measure 1 cup of white vinegar, and pour it over the bottom of the dishwasher. Then, run the heavy cleaning cycle on your dishwasher (it has to be empty).

Third Step: Baking Soda for the Odors

Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda on the bottom of your dishwasher, and allow it to sit for 6 hours. Then, run an empty cycle.

Extra Tips:

As Christmas is only a few days away, we know that nobody wants to spend their holidays washing dishes. That’s why we offer the following extra tips in order to have a clean and optimal dishwasher that does the job for you:

• Before starting the cycle, turn on the faucet and run until the water is hot.
• Clean the dishwasher filter periodically —with vinegar, as explained before.
• Clean the dishwasher seals, which are the rubber gasket in the door and the soap door. Make sure to give them a once-over with a damp towel to keep the grime down.

• Scrape off food bits and crumbs before loading up.

• The dishwasher has to be full, not overcrowded. It’s better to wash a few pieces by hand than it is to rerun an entire load because things were too tightly packed.
• Use the correct cycle depending on the state of your dishes, i.e. when the dishes are harder to clean, use the heavy cycle.

There’s no need to invest a large amount of time cleaning your dishwasher and maintaining it in ideal conditions. Every solution is very simple, remember that your goal is that all the dishes are grime-free and have a fresh smell. Have you found other practices for keeping your dishwasher running well?