Have you been using the same sponge to handwash dishes for years? I’d hazard a guess that you haven’t. Even though a sponge is a tool that cleans other items — and I always squeeze and rinse it after each use — I replace it roughly every two weeks, or sooner if I notice it starts smelling musty.
While making sure you have a clean sponge is par for the course in most households, there’s a similar hygiene habit you might have overlooked… well, forever. When was the last time you cleaned your dishwasher?
Although the dishwasher is an appliance we use to sanitize many kitchen tools, like a sponge, that doesn’t mean that it remains pristine after every use. Food and grime can accumulate inside a dishwasher, often in unseen places, making the machine less effective at cleaning the plates and utensils you use daily. The good news is that unlike a sponge, you don’t need to replace this appliance.
Do you need to clean your dishwasher?
My apologies for introducing you to yet another household chore, but you should really be cleaning your dishwasher. Lindsay Jones, integrated brand manager for Maytag, one of the largest dishwasher brands in the United States, explains that “over time, residue like grease, food particles, and mineral deposits can accumulate inside your dishwasher, often resulting in an unpleasant odor and negatively affecting dishwasher performance.
“Dishwashers should be cleaned regularly to ensure proper functionality and help to prevent potential breakdowns and repairs.” However, this doesn’t mean that you need to clean your dishwasher on a daily or even weekly basis.
A general rule of thumb is to clean your dishwasher about once a month. The parts that need to be cleaned — and how — will vary depending on the manufacturer and model of your appliance.
Consider this a friendly public service announcement: hold onto your dishwasher’s instruction manual long after setup. It contains all the details you need to care for your specific machine effectively. Instructions for caring for and cleaning your dishwasher can usually be found in a “maintenance” section of the instruction manual.
How do you clean a dishwasher filter?
There’s one part of the dishwasher you’ll need to clean most often, and you’ll likely find this step recommended in most appliance manuals: You should be cleaning out the dishwasher’s filter.
All those pieces of food and drops of grease that disappear from dishes during a wash cycle don’t just vanish into thin air; instead, they’re caught by the dishwasher filter. This essential component of the machine is typically located at the bottom of the dishwasher, although it may be somewhat hidden. The correct way to remove it depends on your dishwasher model, but once you’ve taken it out, cleaning the filter itself is simple.
Wash the filter the same way you would a plate, with warm water, a sponge, and dish soap. If any residue is particularly stubborn, soak the filter in warm water for a few minutes and try gently scrubbing it with a toothbrush or dish brush.
To prevent bacteria growth, eliminate bad odors, and extend your dishwasher’s lifespan, cleaning the filter is crucial. If you can only do one thing for dishwasher maintenance, doing this monthly is a good start.
How do you clean the inside of your dishwasher?
While the method and need for cleaning specific dishwasher parts may vary depending on the machine, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that any appliance is in top shape.
If you notice residue or pieces of food stuck to the surfaces inside your dishwasher, remove any removable pieces — such as the dish racks and silverware basket — and wash them by hand in the sink. You can also gently clean the seal around the edge of your dishwasher with a sponge.
Notice any musty smells or odors you can’t seem to get rid of in the dishwasher? Jones suggests an easy fix with two ingredients you likely already have at home. The brand manager explains that, “For the inside of your dishwasher, household cleaners like white vinegar and baking soda are great for cleaning and deodorizing.
“Add two cups of vinegar to a dishwasher-safe bowl on the lower rack. With the heated dry off, select a normal cycle and let the dishwasher run for the full cycle. Once the cycle is finished, sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and then run the hot water cycle to deodorize. This option is a great alternative to using dishwasher cleaners but should not be used too often, as vinegar is an acid and could damage the inside of the dishwasher.”
You may see subtly different directions from a variety of resources online. Some cleaning-focused content creators also manually scrub the dishwasher walls or place vinegar on the top rack when cleaning. These methods work well too, but be sure to use a dish soap that’s compatible with a dishwasher — most hand-washing soaps can produce too many suds.
With fresher-smelling cooking tools and cutlery, and an appliance that will last you for many more years — no calls to maintenance required — taking the time to give your dishwasher a little TLC is well worth it.
