Like all household appliances, the dishwasher should be cleaned regularly for optimal washing and longer life. Discover all our natural and economical tips for cleaning and descaling your dishwasher.
For some time, you have observed lime deposits or residues on your dishes and you smell bad odors when opening the door of your appliance? Your dishwasher is probably dirty and needs a good cleaning. Regularly maintaining your dishwasher has many advantages: it allows your dishes to be washed better, prevents bad odors and increases the life of your machine. To effectively prevent the appearance of tartar and foul odors, follow our natural maintenance tips and economic.
How to clean your dishwasher thoroughly?
If your dishwasher is very dirty, carry out a deep cleaning using white vinegar:
- Start by unplugging the dishwasher and removing all removable parts.
- Clean the spray arms by rubbing them with a clean cloth or sponge moistened with hot water and white vinegar (or dish soap).
- Scrub the filter with a stiff brush dampened with hot water and a few drops of white vinegar to loosen clogging food waste.
- Remove the door seal and wash it with a clean sponge soaked in white vinegar, not forgetting the seal receiving gutter.
- Then wash the appliance empty by putting 250 ml of white vinegar in the rinse aid container of your dishwasher.
Starwax White Vinegar – 1L
To complete this cleaning, remember to maintain and degrease your dishwasher. After cleaning the filter, the door seal and the wash arm of your appliance with a sponge or a cloth dampened with hot water and white vinegar, put two tablespoons of baking soda in the usual place of washing powder and run a vacuum wash cycle. Your dishwasher will then be completely degreased and clean!
Organic baking soda, Nortembio – 1.43 kg
How do you clean a dishwasher that smells bad?
For deodorize a dishwasher in an efficient and economical way, several natural products can be used:
- The baking soda will not only descale the dishwasher but also remove bad smells. Sprinkle a few spoons of baking soda directly into the dishwasher and run an empty wash cycle.
- The White vinegar, like baking soda, is multi-purpose for your device.
- The salt : if you have neither baking soda nor white vinegar, you can replace them with salt that you pour directly into the container to descale and deodorize.
- The lemon is a formidable ingredient to neutralize odors. Cut a lemon in half and place one of the halves inside the dishwasher. Do not hesitate to repeat the operation as necessary. In addition to smelling good, lemon will make your glasses shine!
How to descale your dishwasher?
Like all household appliances and appliances that require water, such as washing machines and irons, lime tends to accumulate inside the appliance. To get rid of tartar in your dishwasher, white vinegar is the ideal solution. Thanks to its cleansing and anti-limescale properties, it is an ecological and economical alternative to chemicals.
- Pour 250 ml of white vinegar at the bottom of the dishwasher.
- Switch on the machine.
- Run it empty, choosing the hottest cycle.
You can also use citric acid which will act as a high performance natural lime remover. This quick and easy tip removes lime deposits inside the device. After this operation, check that your dishes come out clean the next time they are washed.
Citric acid, Biovie – 350g, pack of 2
Good habits to take to maintain your dishwasher
It only takes a few simple steps to ensure that you have an efficient and always clean dishwasher and extend its life:
- Regularly clean the tank filter to remove any food or product residue, as well as the door seal.
- Wash your device completely every 3 months using natural cleaning products like white vinegar or baking soda.
- Disassemble the blades and remove any food residue using a toothpick or skewer to unclog blocked holes.
- Do a little wash beforehand, without wasting water. There are always dishes that you do not put in your appliance, such as large pots, pans, etc. When you clean them in the sink, take the opportunity to use the cleaning water to rinse your plates before putting them in the dishwasher.
- From time to time, put half a lemon in the cutlery basket to fight off bad smells (and make your dishes shine).
- Check and scrub your dishwasher filter regularly.
- Regularly top up the salt and rinse aid reservoirs.
Read also :
How to clean a washing machine that smells bad? Our most effective tips!
How to do your laundry at home? The easy and cheap recipe
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