How To Clean A Smelly Dishwasher
“Why does my dishwasher smell, even after I clean it?” That's a question many of us have asked. The answer? It's certainly not that you don't know how to clean a dishwasher because we just showed you! Even when you clean a dishwasher with
vinegar, a natural odor killer, you may need more firepower to get rid of lingering dishwasher smells.
Even a thorough cleaning can't get rid of all the little bits of food and residue that can accumulate in out-of-the-way areas. If your dishwasher smells bad, use these additional; maintenance tips:
Check the Door Seals
When you wipe down the door seals on your dishwasher, the crevices in the seals can harbor odor-causing residue. Beneath the door seal where it lays against the interior of the door is a prime breeding ground for mildew that can cause dishwasher smells. Mix water with baking soda to make a thick paste. Since baking soda is a mild abrasive, it will help remove residue and deodorize in the process. Using a toothbrush and your paste, scrub the crevices and underneath the door seals—remember to clean the bottom, too.
To keep mildew from reappearing, get in the habit of leaving your dishwasher door ajar when it’s not running.
Use More Vinegar
You know firsthand how well white vinegar cuts grease and breaks down buildup in a dishwasher. Lean on more vinegar power to clean a smelly dishwasher. Pour a cup of white vinegar into a glass container and place it on the top rack of your dishwasher. Run a cycle on the hottest setting, then leave the door open for about an hour. To keep your dishwasher fresh and smelling good longer between deep cleanings, use the vinegar cleanse every two months.
More Baking Soda
Still catching a whiff of offensive dishwasher smells? After you perform a vinegar cleanse and your dishwasher is mostly dry, sprinkle a cup of baking soda on the bottom. Let the baking soda sit for 30 minutes to work on the lingering odors and enjoy the added stain-fighting power bonus that brightens your dishwasher. Next, run a cycle on the hottest setting. Remember to leave the door open for ventilation after running the dishwasher.
Everyday Dishwasher Tips
Since you've taken the time to learn how to clean your dishwasher, keep reading to learn how to keep it that way. From using the proper dishwasher settings to regularly performing light cleaning, helping your dishwasher churn out clean dishes with every load is simple and easy.
Here are some everyday dishwasher tips you can add to your regular
house cleaning checklist:
- Check your dishwasher manual for any special loading instructions and an understanding of your dishwasher’s settings.
- Make sure your water heater is set to a minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal cleaning.
- For sanitizing, you'll need a dishwasher with a sanitizing cycle to get to the required 145 degrees Fahrenheit needed to get rid of germs and bacteria.
- Try using pods instead of powder or liquid dishwashing detergent.
- Use the top rack for bowls, mugs, glassware, and large utensils.
- Load the bottom rack with plates, pots, platters, and cutting boards.
- Keep your utensil holder on the bottom rack and load forks and spoons with the handles down. (Extra tip: Load knives with the handles up!)
- Use an old toothbrush to prevent buildup in hard-to-reach places inside your dishwasher.
- Prevent spots on glassware by refilling the rinse-aid dispenser once a month.
- You don't have to rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher to get them clean!
Now that you know how to clean a dishwasher and keep it working as well as it should, check out these other kitchen appliance cleaning how-tos. And when you need help cleaning and disinfecting the rest of your home, we’re probably just around the corner.
Because we are the only
residential cleaning service to clean for health exclusively, you can count on The Maids to create a better environment for you and your family. Find out just how affordable a healthy cleaning service can be when you get your
free customized estimate.
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