Your dishwasher does a great job at cleaning all your dishes and utensils, saving you the time and effort it takes to wash the dishes yourself. But your dishwasher can’t do all the hard work, unfortunately, so it does still need cleaning itself. The grease and grime left behind by dirty dishes build up over time and can cause problems like odors and clogs.

Read on for some tips on how to keep your dishwasher clean and in good working condition.

How often to clean your dishwasher

How often you should clean your dishwasher depends on factors such as how frequently you use it. Most dishwashers could use a quick wipe down once a week and a deeper clean around once a month. If you start to notice a bad smell or that your glasses aren’t coming out as sparkling clean as usual, then it’s probably due a proper clean.

Scraping leftover food debris from your plates and rinsing them before putting them in the dishwasher can help to keep your dishwasher cleaner and in good condition.

How to clean your dishwasher

At a basic level, you should wipe down the surfaces inside your dishwasher and around the door and handle on a regular basis. You can just do this with a damp dishcloth or you can mix a mild dish soap with the water first. Make sure you pay attention to the seals around the door as this is a common place where grime can build up and be missed when cleaning. The filter should also be cleaned on a regular basis. Just remove the filter and scrub it in the sink with a cloth, sponge, or toothbrush to remove any food debris and grease.

A deep clean isn’t too much of a chore because you can use the dishwasher’s own cycle to do most of the work. You can just put a dishwasher cleaning tablet in the machine and set it to run a hot water cycle. Alternatively, you can use a cup of white vinegar or a cup of baking soda to do the same. Leave the dishwasher empty other than the cup used. Bleach may not be suitable for use in or around your dishwasher, particularly if the machine contains stainless steel.

If you need professional services to keep your dishwasher and other kitchen appliances well-maintained, then contact Brandon Plumbing for our services around Lewisville, Clemmons, and Winston Salem.