Cleaning Your Dishwasher

Follow these seven easy steps to cleaning your dishwasher for an easy-to-use ritual you can introduce to your daily life and cleaning routine. All you need are a couple of sponges, scourers, cloths and a dishwasher cleaning product such as a cream cleaner or vinegar/baking soda and you’re ready to go. By cleaning your dishwasher as often as possible you will really notice the difference. Remember before you clean a new dishwasher, to follow the manufacturers instructions provided and to test any areas before you apply a product. Wearing gloves will keep your hands clean, dry and soft when working on your dishwasher, as we all know this can be a bit of a dirty job and that’s probably why we try to avoid it. But again, but keeping on top of cleaning your dishwasher and appliances in general, you will notice a great difference and help to preserve the life of them.

Step 1: Make sure you have run your dishwasher fully through a cycle and then empty it. Switch it off and remove the racks as well as any removable functions such as the spinning arm.

Step 2: Ensure you clean the walls of the dishwasher. This should be done as regularly as possible to maintain the functioning of your dishwasher, so ideally after every use. Wipe down the walls and pay special attention to debris and build-up of limescale. Remember, your dishwasher may have a filter you can remove and clean too.

Step 3: Use a soft brush to tackle those tougher areas. Once you have cleaned these areas, replace the appliances and reassemble.

Step 4: Wipe underneath your dishwasher as well as inside it. This area will collect all sorts of debris and build-up, this is not a particularly pleasant job but a vital one. Also, wipe around the seal, edges and sides of your dishwasher, more easily neglected areas that need regular maintenance and attention.

Step 5: If you have any rust stains present in your dishwasher, you can use a dishwasher-safe rust remover to tackle these. Remember to follow the instructions on the product and test areas to be extra cautious.

Step 6: Another tip is to use bleach, as this will work well on mildew that has collected in your dishwasher overtime. You can use this during a cycle while your dishwasher is completely empty. But avoid doing so if your dishwasher’s interior is crafted from stainless steel as this will damage it.

Step 7: Clean the exterior of your dishwasher including any buttons and functions very gently and carefully using a disinfectant spray or all-purpose cleaner Mayfair. The handle will collect germs very quickly, so pay special attention to this area.

To maintain the cleanliness of your dishwasher, ensure you load it up by facing glasses and cutlery downwards rather than up and checking you haven’t overloaded or blocked the arms from spinning properly. It’s also an idea to rinse pieces before placing them in the dishwasher to clean as this will help you to reduce a build-up of food collected in the filter or in the removable compartments. Ensure what you are placing is dishwasher safe at all times to avoid breakage’s and even more complications. If you notice your dishwasher isn’t functioning properly, switch it off and seek professional advice and help rather than trying to tackle it yourself.