Your dishwasher. That magic appliance that willingly accepts our soiled dishes and offers them back to us in a couple of hours, sparkling clean. It works hard all week, but is your dishwasher holiday ready? Do you notice an unpleasant odor when unloading your dishwasher, or maybe you have to re-wash a dish after it’s run through a cycle? If so, we’ve got some tips for you.
1. Clean the Dishwasher Trap
If your dishwasher is not self-cleaning, remove the manual filter located under the bottom rack of your dishwasher. Hand wash in warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. You may need to gently scrub (using an old toothbrush) to remove the tougher particles. Clean the area where the filter goes in the dishwasher before putting the filter back in place.
2. Clean the Dishwasher Seal
Every few months clean the rubber gasket around the door of your dishwasher. Just use a soft, damp towel to wipe away the gunk around the edges. Wipe down the interior walls of the dishwasher, and clean around the soap door.
3. Use the Correct Cycle
Don’t rely on the shorter “express” cycles to clean your dirtiest of dishes. Heavier, more soiled loads should be run on “power-wash” settings, and leave the lighter loads to the quicker cycles.
4. Deodorize with Vinegar
Just pour a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of your empty dishwasher and run it on a “normal” cycle. This will help loosen and clean out old food particles and keep your dishwasher smelling fresh.
5. Don’t Overcrowd
The party was great, it’s late, and we know you just want to keep shoving plates into your dishwasher. An overstuffed dishwasher won’t be able to do its job if it’s crammed full of dishes. Wash a few of the larger items by hand. By doing so, the water and soap in your dishwasher will be able to circulate freely and do a better job with its task at hand.
Maybe you’d rather do dishes by hand while standing next to your busybody Aunt Jo who rinses while she comments on your cooking, your hairstyle, and your love life. That’s your prerogative. Just know that taking a few minutes each month to tend to these little tasks, will help your dishwasher consistently perform at its peak. Keep your dishwasher holiday-ready throughout the year!