Useful Tips For Cleaning Up Dirty Dishwasher

If your dishwasher smells, even if there are no dirty dishes in it, it could be due to two things. See here how disgusting a dishwasher can become, and how you can avoid your own becoming just as clammy.

A dishwasher must be descaled and cleaned regularly if you want to prevent it from becoming a stinking bacterial bomb. The more often it is being used, the more often it needs to be done. Lime does not make the machine smell, but it lubricates again, other dirt and the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and molds.

Proper use, the right doses of salt, rinse aid and dishwashing liquid as well as frequent cleaning are the way to avoid odour problems and keep the dishwasher in top shape.

If the dishwasher continues to smell, even if you clean it regularly, it may be because the water trap or pipes are not installed correctly. Here you must ask an authorized plumber to inspect the dishwasher installation.

Reasons why a dishwasher gets damp

• Placing dishes in the machine before removing food debris with a dish brush or paper towel first.
• Closing the door after washing which makes the moisture remains in the machine.
• Using too little or too much detergent, salt and rinse aid in relation to the hardness of the water.
• Not cleaning filters, doorways and baskets regularly enough.
• Not cleaning rubber strips.

Not Too Much Nor Too Little

Detergent: If you use too little dishwashing detergent, you will not be able to remove all the dirt and there may be a bacterial growth in the dishwasher. If the detergent is too much, a soap film may settle on the service.

Rinse aid: If you under- or overdose, matte coatings will settle on the service. It is most clearly seen on glass.

Salt: If the salt container is not set to the actual hardness of the water, a matt film may also appear on the tableware. You can adjust the amount of salt on your dishwasher. See how in the operating instructions for your dishwasher.

Detergent: If your water has a hardness of 21 dH or less, you can use dishwashing detergent. Most tabs on the market today usually contain salt, rinse aid and dish soap. The components are released during the dishwashing process, which means that multitabs are not suitable for washing dishes on short programs. Therefore, be sure to choose the right dishwashing detergent.

Lime in the dishwasher

If there are limescale deposits in your dishwasher, it is a sign that the setting of the salt dosage does not suit the hardness of the water. Read the instructions for using the dishwasher on how to set the salt dosage. If you use multitabs, the limescale deposition may be due to the water hardness exceeding 21 dH.

Citric acid in dishwasher

Remove limescale on the inside of the door by passing the dishwasher through with citric acid. See the instructions on the container with citric acid. Citric acid can also relieve limescale in hoses and internal parts of the washing machine.

NOTE! Never use chlorinated products in the dishwasher immediately after using acidic products such as citric acid, as it can form toxic gases!

 

 

How to clean the dishwasher

1. Clean the filter, coarse felt and fine sieve at the bottom of the dishwasher. Take them out and clean them in warm water with dish soap and a brush or toothbrush.
2. Clean the drain (where the strainers have been) with a brush and a little detergent. Remove the rubber strip in the opening and wash it with water with added detergent. If it is very dirty, you can use harder means like brown soap. Remember to wear rubber gloves when using brown soap.
3. Remove the rinsing arms and remove food debris with a sharp object, such as a toothpick. Wipe with a microfiber cloth.
4. Take out the baskets and scrub them with a dish brush with dish soap.
5. Scrub the corners and sides of the dishwasher with a brush.
6. Clean cracks and crevices in the doorways with a toothbrush.
7. Finally, let the dishwasher go through a wash at a high temperature, preferably with service in it.
8. If there are limescale deposits after removing the dirt, you can run the dishwasher through with citric acid. See the procedure on the container with citric acid.

What will you need:

• Dish brush
• Toothbrush
• Toothpicks
• Hand dishwashing detergent
• Possibly. Citric acid

Cleaning Parts Of Dishwasher – step by step

1. Dishwasher coarse and fine

Empty the leftover strainer (left) of food and fat residues at least once a week. Remove the coarse strainer and clean it in warm water with detergent. Use a brush or toothbrush.
The surface (right) is cleaned in the same way – but you do not have to do it often.

2. Dishwasher drain

There may be some dirt around the dishwasher drain. After removing the coarse felt and the fine sieve, scrub around the drain with a brush with a little detergent. Remember to get well into the hooks.

3. Coil arm

Remove the rinsing arms and remove food debris with a sharp object, such as a toothpick, and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

4. Dishwashing basket

Baskets in the dishwasher are taken out and scrubbed with the dish brush with hand dishwashing detergent. Use a toothbrush and toothpick if it is difficult to get into all the nooks and crannies.

5. Corners and sides inside the dishwasher

If there is dirt in the corners of the dishwasher and on the sides, you can scrub with a brush. If there are limescale deposits after removing the dirt, you can run the dishwasher through with citric acid. See the procedure on the container with citric acid.

6. The door opening

The door cracks and crevices are not cleaned regularly during washing, so they must be inspected and cleaned with a toothbrush and wiped with a microfiber cloth. Remove the rubber strip and wash it thoroughly in dishwashing detergent. Note that if there are traces of dark mold on the rubber strip, you can use a little Rodalon or other mold remedy on the rubber edge. Remove leftover food that has accumulated in the list. Be sure to turn the rubber strip over correctly when reassembling it!

How to prevent a clammy dishwasher

• Avoid leftover food in the dishwasher.
• Scrape off leftover food with the dish brush before putting the dishes in the dishwasher. Rinsing is not necessary as the dishes are rinsed in the dishwasher.
• Place the service at a distance so that water can get on all surfaces.
• Only use multiple tables if the water hardness is below 21 dH. Multitabs are composed so that they can bind lime in water with a hardness of up to 21 dH. If the hardness of the water is above 21 dH, use salt, dishwashing detergent and rinse aid dosed according to the instructions on the packaging.
• When the machine is not in use, leave the dishwasher door closed. Then it has the ability to dry, and it inhibits bacterial growth, and you minimize the risk of odor problems.
• Open the door after washing, but wait approx. half an hour so that the dishwasher can evaporate and you avoid letting moist air out into the home.
• Empty the dishwasher and squeeze the door when you are away for a long time. Set if necessary. a couple of thick potholders in a pinch.
• Clean the coarse felt as needed – but at least 1-3 times a month.
• Thoroughly clean the dishwasher at least 3-4 times a year.
• Run an intensive program (65-70 degrees) once in a while, preferably with content – but not the expensive glasses.

Feel free to read our other article if you have Water in the Bottom of Dishwasher.

 

Source : https://www.bolius.dk/