Let’s take a journey back in time. To the year you lived in your first, tiny apartment. What was the worst, hardest, most intolerably arduous, soul-crushing part of that time? Balancing school, work, and a social life? Working overtime to afford rent? Nope! It was living without a Dishwasher. Obviously. Hand washing dishes? What is this, the dark ages?!

Sorry to put you through that again. Let’s jump back to present day now. There’s a reason why you’re so much better off these days. We’re not saying it’s just your dishwasher, but it definitely helps, right? You use your dishwasher every day, and you want to keep it that way. Luckily, there are a few really simple things you can do to clean and maintain your dishwasher. Things like…

A Vinegar Wash

Fill two dishwasher-safe cups with white vinegar and put them in the upper rack. Run a hot water cycle on low. Halfway through the cycle, stop the dishwasher to let the vinegar soak for about 15 or 20 minutes.

The vinegar will help break down grease and grime that builds up over time. If it’s is really dirty, you could let the vinegar soak over night. Washing out the inner compartment with vinegar about once a month will go a long way toward keeping your dishwasher clean and sanitary.

Scrubbing It Out

Fill your sink halfway full with water and then add 2 cups of vinegar. Take out the racks and holders and leave them to soak while you clean. Use a toothbrush or toothpick to dig debris out of the washer’s supply holes.

Next, scrub the inner edges and bottom of the door with a cleaning solution. If you want to get really thorough, turn off the dishwasher and remove its bottom with a screwdriver. The filter should be located beneath the bottom you just removed. Cover the filter with something and then use an old toothbrush or cloth to scrub the areas you uncovered.

Wash Off the Outside

Don’t forget about the outside of the door while you’re digging around inside! Use a spray cleaning solution to thoroughly wipe down the front and sides of the dishwasher. Be sure to wash the buttons and the handle, too–you touch them constantly.

Look underneath ledges and divots for dirt or other buildup, too. Keep an eye out for rust, which can be a sign of leaking or warping. You probably don’t need to deep clean the washer all that often, but it’s a good idea to scrub it down at least the outside once a month.

Using the Right Soap

Not all dishwashing detergents are created equal. Make sure you’re only using a dishwashing soap that was made specifically to wash dishes. If you use anything else, it could make your washer less effective. Non-dishwashing soaps tend to suds up way too much, leaving behind scummy buildup.

You should also consider using powder detergent instead of gel. Powder cleaning is generally considered more effective. Finally, remember that dishwashing detergent usually only lasts about two weeks after you open it. Don’t keep a single huge box around for too long, or it won’t clean the dishes when you need it too.

Switching Up the Cycle

If you run your washer on the same cycle all the time, trying mixing it up next time. Changing the cycle prevents buildup that might accumulate when the same amount of water hits the same places over and over again. Hey, doing a vinegar wash could help with this, too! Two birds!

Using It!

Running your dishwasher consistently may be the best way to keep it clean! Try to make sure you use it at least once a week. If you let it sit too long, mold and mildew can start to accumulate on the inside, especially in the nooks and crannies. Dripping water may facilitate rust, too.

If you go out of town, have the person watching your home run the dishwasher once or twice. If you don’t have anything to wash, you could even have them run a vinegar wash for you! THREE birds–and you didn’t even have to do anything!

Your dishwasher is probably one of the most surprisingly useful tools you own. And the best part? Ultimately, they’re quite low-maintenance. If you take little steps like these to care for yours, you’ll find that it lasts longer and does an even better job.

Your dirty-dish problem might have to do with your water instead of your washer. Give us a call and we can can fix it. Don’t have a dishwasher? We’re so sorry. Here’s a survival guide that can hopefully make your life a little easier… until you get one.

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