Tips For Cleaning and Maintaining Your Dishwasher

Maintaining your dishwasher regularly will go a long way toward keeping it running efficiently and doing its magic on your dishes. Review your owner’s manual if still available or search online for its make and model number.

Begin by wiping down the interior of your dishwasher regularly. Food debris can collect in it, clogging key parts like filters. By regularly wiping it down, this prevents this buildup and keeps your machine functioning at peak performance.

Clean the Door Seal

One of the key steps for proper dishwasher maintenance is keeping its door seal clean. A dirty seal can lead to leaks and other issues; since its sealing area is made from rubber, cleaning must take place frequently in order to keep everything running smoothly.

With a clean rag, use it to wipe down the door seal of your dishwasher to remove food or soap residue, bacteria buildup, and any lingering fingerprints or debris that may have collected on its surface. Doing this also protects its stainless steel finish finish and keeps its appearance looking brand new!

Your dishwasher’s seal provides a watertight seal between its door and sink opening and should remain watertight at all times. Over time it may become worn or brittle; as soon as this occurs it should be replaced promptly.

Clean your seal at least twice every week to keep it looking its best, free from food debris, dirt and grime. Additionally, check periodically for cracks or tears which could result in leakage issues.

Replacing a damaged seal is simple and doesn’t require special tools; replacement seals can be purchased at most home improvement stores or ordered online.

Over time, seals can deteriorate due to exposure to several substances like lipids and hard water. Mold and mildew growth on these seals is likely if not regularly cleaned off, and should also be addressed accordingly.

Maintaining your dishwasher regularly to prevent mold growth is key to its operation, and one way is to run a rinse cycle after every load of dishes has been processed.

Regularly cleaning the filter of your dishwasher is another effective way to ensure its proper operation, as this will prevent unpleasant odours and food debris from collecting in its fibers.

If you prefer, alternative methods include wiping down your filter with water and a cloth to maintain its appearance while keeping it functioning as intended. This will keep your appliance looking new while also making sure it works efficiently.

Utilizing a combination of vinegar and citric acid is another great way to keep your dishwasher clean and free of mold. Citric acid works to dissolve mold spores while vinegar disinfects afterwards.

Clean the Spray Arms

Your dishwasher’s spray arms are an integral component of its functionality, providing a steady stream of water directly onto the dishes in your dishrack. However, they may become clogged up with food debris or hard water deposits over time and must be regularly cleared out to remain effective.

Lower spray arms are located at the base of your dishwasher, while upper spray arms may be located above your upper dishrack. Each spray arm typically consists of one single piece of metal with holes drilled through it.

Once the lower dishrack has been taken out of your dishwasher, reach inside it and rotate the lower spray arm so it wiggles freely up and down. If any restriction in its movement exists, your spray arm could have become broken or damaged and needs repair or replacement.

If your lower spray arm won’t move freely, try placing it in a tub of white vinegar to loosen any hard water deposits that might be blocking its holes. After soaking, use a toothpick to clear away any buildup in its holes.

Check to make sure that the upper spray arm moves freely and smoothly, otherwise it might need replacing.

Your dishwasher’s filter should also be checked, according to Whirlpool. This device filters water that passes through its spray arms.

Residue build-up in filters and pumps must be regularly cleared away to avoid costly repairs and unnecessary expenses. Failure to do this may lead to serious health concerns as well.

Once you’ve examined your spray arms and filter, remove them from your dishwasher to give them a thorough clean. A sponge or rag should be sufficient for wiping away food debris from inside of a spray arm; while using a brush may help scrub out stubborn deposits or residue that have built up.

Once your spray arms have been uninstalled from their holders, take care to rinse them with warm water and some soap to eliminate any buildup or debris that might remain inside. Reinstall them back into your dishwasher afterwards for best results.

Clean the Spray Holes

Over time, your dishwasher’s spray holes may become clogged with bits of food and soap residue, blocking its water jets and slowing down your cleaning process. While this may be frustrating to deal with, this issue is something you can resolve without needing a plumber.

One effective method of cleaning spray holes is using vinegar and soap in combination. Pour 1 cup of white vinegar directly into your dishwasher’s tub and run its cycle; vinegar will soften mineral deposits that clog spray holes.

Another effective method for cleaning out spray holes of debris is soaking a cloth in soapy water and placing it over them; allow this solution to soak until the debris softens up and is easy to remove from your spray holes.

Scrubbing spray holes with a sponge soaked in soapy water will also work; once they’ve been scrubbed clean, just rinse them out and put back into your dishwasher.

If your dishwasher’s spray holes remain clogged after cleaning, Bendetti advises replacing its spray arms. A replacement spray arm may be available locally at appliance parts stores or can be ordered online.

Some models incorporate upper and lower spray arms that rotate counterclockwise to wash dishes, known as wash arm manifolds. It should be properly aligned with both arms without any debris blocking waterflow causing leakage issues.

No matter the model or make of dishwasher you own, several factors could prevent its proper function. First of all, verify the water heater in your home is providing enough hot water for the appliance to function effectively.

Second, check your detergent and dispenser to determine if they require cleaning or replacement. Using low-quality dish soap in areas with hard water could clog the pump and result in unclean plates despite your best efforts at washing them thoroughly.

Check your coarse filter to make sure it is not clogged with large pieces of food that could clog up its drain and prevent proper functioning of the system. If any large chunks appear, remove them before beginning another cycle.

Clean the Utensil Rack

A utensil rack serves as the home for silverware and other non-dishwasher-safe items in your kitchen, like wooden spoons. Regular wiping down of this rack should remove built-up food debris that blocks water from reaching other dishes in your collection.

If your older dishwasher has become full of buildup, a simple wipe with a damp cloth may help clean it up. If this doesn’t do the trick, replacing the rack with one with more space and an unused compartment might be wiser.

To prevent spoons and forks from nestling together in your utensil basket, arrange them so their handles are separated so you can give each item the optimal scrubbing from soap and water during their cycle.

Make sure to add a ball of aluminum foil into the utensil basket so it can interact with detergent tablets and other ingredients used to clean silverware, giving them their optimal shine. This will get them looking and feeling as new.

Avoid mixing stainless steel and real silverware together in the same utensil basket, as a chemical reaction between these metals could dent or leave pits that will be difficult to remove later on.

Similar to real silverware, plastic utensils, baby bottles or any soft washables should not be stored together as this could cause them to come together into one mass of plastic that cannot be easily identified or separated out again.

Hairbrushes, combs and face brushes that don’t feature sharp knives or wooden handles should also be placed in the dishwasher to be safely washed after use. As these tools tend to become greasy quickly, taking an additional spin through it could also help prolong their longevity.

Though it might seem obvious, many don’t realize there is a dedicated cup in their utensil rack to hold utensils for cleaning. Without using this cup, your utensils may fall down during their cycle and get caught in the spray arms, creating unnecessary headaches as they try to clean themselves without proper care in their designated place. Not only is this inconvenient; but also can lead to less thorough results than using an appropriate cup would provide.