Is your dishwasher not cleaning your dishes as efficiently as before and also has a funky smell? Then it is time to clean your dishwasher’s inner and outer corners to increase its efficiency and prolong its lifespan. You should also keep your appliance clean to prevent any bacterial or viral infections due to the buildup of dirt and food debris inside your dishwasher.
According to
bond cleaning Ipswich services, you can maintain the cleanliness of your dishwasher by wiping it down every month and can leave deep cleaning to once or twice a year.
If you use your dishwasher frequently, it is a good idea to use natural solutions like vinegar and baking soda to keep it in a good working condition.
Before you see how to go about this cleaning, you should first understand why it is important to clean your dishwasher.
Why Should You Clean Your Dishwasher
Over time your dishwasher collects food debris, grease stains and gunk that can build up in the drainage or inner corners. These food debris and dirt can attract and harbour harmful bacteria like E.coli, which can mix with your water and stay on your dishes after cleaning them.
Suppose you come in contact with this dirty water. In that case, you are at risk of an
E.coli bacterial infection which can result in stomach cramps, bloody diarrhoea and, in extreme cases, kidney failure and anaemia. Thus, cleaning your dishwasher drain and components every month is important to remove these harmful bacteria and germs and keep you and your family healthy and safe.
Tip
Here are some other areas where
germs are lurking in your home.
Here are some useful tips by bond cleaning services in Ipswich to help you deep clean your dishwasher with just white vinegar and baking soda:
1. Arrange Your Cleaning Caddy
You should first start by arranging all the tools you will need for cleaning your dishwasher, including:
A toothbrush or soft-bristled brush
Wire or toothpick
Microfiber cloth
White vinegar
Dish soap
Baking soda
Baby oil
Rubber gloves
2. Take Out Your Dishwasher Filter And Scrub It Down
First, you must unscrew your manual filter and scrub it with a toothbrush dipped in distilled white vinegar to remove food debris and dirt.
Next, place this filter in your sink, fill it with hot water, and add a few drops of dish soap. Leave this filter for 30 minutes to loosen and remove any built-up and stubborn dirt, then scrub it gently with a toothbrush. Professional bond cleaners in Ipswich suggest rinsing it with water and letting it air dry before placing it back in your dishwasher.
3. Clear The Drainage Of Stuck Food Bits To Improve Its Efficiency
Next, remove the dishwasher rack and open the drainage to remove any stuck food bits and dirt. This will help drain your water properly and ensure there is no buildup so that your
appliance is more energy-efficient. You should also remove the top of the drainage, scrub underneath with a toothbrush dipped in vinegar, and then wipe it with a clean microfiber cloth.
4. Remove Grime From The Spray Arms With A Toothpick
Next, inspect your dishwasher’s spray arms to see if there is any dirt inside the holes that spray water. If dirt is lodged in there, use a toothpick or wire to remove all the grime and wipe the arms with a clean microfiber cloth. You should also wipe the utensils drawer, and the inner rubber edges and seams of the door with a microfiber cloth dipped in white vinegar to remove dirt and grease.
5. Run Your Dishwasher On A Hot Water Cycle With Vinegar
Now, bond cleaners in Ipswich recommend placing your dishwasher rack back and putting a glass or plastic bowl filled with white vinegar in it. First, test your water and see that it is heated to at least 120 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, and then run the dishwasher on this cycle to ensure it is cleaned properly, and all bacteria and germs are removed.
The acetic acid in the vinegar will also loosen grease and dirt, and you can then wipe this down with a clean microfiber cloth. Avoid using the drying cycle and dry the insides by hand with a microfiber cloth.
Tip
You can use
vinegar to remove and clean mould as well.
6. Remove Any Foul Odours With Baking Soda
Next, sprinkle basic baking soda on your dishwasher’s bottoms, sides and corners and run the hot cycle again. The alkaline minerals in baking soda will remove foul odours and tough stains, so your dishwasher smells fresh and completely spotless. Make sure you do not mix baking soda and vinegar as it can cause a fizzing foam that can damage your dishwasher.
Tip
You can also
remove limescale from taps with baking soda.
7. Wipe The Door Of Your Dishwasher With Baby Oil
Lastly, use a dish soap and water solution with a few drops of white vinegar to clean your dishwasher door and handles. Make sure you use a microfiber cloth for this, as an abrasive rag can scratch and damage your dishwasher surfaces. You can then spray some baby oil on a microfiber cloth and wipe the doors and handles to remove water streaks.
Conclusion
Thus, cleaning your dishwasher can be done naturally and eco-friendly using the helpful tips above. It is also important that you wipe away any food spills as you see them and check your filter regularly to see if there is any food and dirt buildup to keep your dishwasher in a good working condition.
