Honestly, how long have you stayed without deep cleaning your dishwasher? I guess quite a bit of time, perhaps months or even years. Look, it’s high time you learn how to clean a dishwasher with baking soda. I bet the results will be satisfying.

Take out all the removable parts like racks and filters to clean them. Then clear all the debris from your dishwasher, checking all the holes and crevices. After that, run a hot water cycle with vinegar. When it is complete, perform a short wash cycle with baking soda.

Why You Need to Clean Your Dishwasher Regularly

After a wash cycle, materials like grease, food particles, and soap scum can cling inside your dishwasher. With time, they pile up, making your appliance reduce its efficiency. Besides, the dishwasher may start to produce an unpleasant smell.

Regular cleaning of your dishwasher machine can save you a great deal. Here is why;

• You minimize the chances of your dishwasher clogging: That’s because you remove all the debris and grease before they pile up and clog your appliance. As a result, you avoid inconveniences such as your dishwasher failing to drain water.
• It increases the lifespan of your dishwasher: A clean appliance lasts longer than a dirty one. Besides, during the cleaning process, you get to identify those minor issues and address them before they escalate to serious problems.

In addition, cleaning your appliance reduces the risk of frequent repairs that can lower the lifespan of your dishwasher.

• It improves the dishwasher’s efficiency: Probably, you are wondering why the performance of your appliance has reduced drastically.

It points to one thing; your dishwasher is struggling to perform its functions due to clogging. Deep-cleaning helps remove all the foreign materials causing blockages. Thus, boosting its efficiency.

• It lowers utility bills: A dirty appliance tends to consume more electricity when functional than a clean one. As a result, you incur high costs of energy.

However, when you clean the dishwasher regularly, you enable it to function smoothly. In turn, you cut down on energy bills.

• Cleaning your dishwasher with baking soda improves overall family health: When you clean your dishwasher regularly, you kill germs and other microorganisms that can contaminate your dishes. As a result, you lower the risk of infections or sicknesses.

What is the Best Way to Clean the Inside of a Dishwasher?

Using baking soda and vinegar after every six months is the best way to clean the inside of your dishwasher. Even so, you need to do regular cleaning using warm soapy water.

With that, you will love how your dishwasher will always look new and run efficiently. So, how should you go about it when deep cleaning the inside of a dishwasher? Let’s get to it.

What You Will Need

The tools you will need include:

• Sponge
• Soft-bristled brush
• Toothbrush
• Toothpick
• Flexible wire

Materials

• Microfiber cloth
• Warm water
• Distilled vinegar
• Baking soda
• Dishwashing soap

Steps

1. Remove the utensil holder, filters, and dishwasher racks

You may need tools to unscrew some of the parts. But for others, you may have to twist them a little bit and pull out.

Taking them out will enable you to access the innermost parts and crevices. Besides, you need to soak them in a mixture of white vinegar and water for 30 minutes. After that, thoroughly clean them with a cloth and soap, then rinse them.

2. Clear out all the debris from the dishwasher

After removing the filters, racks, and utensil holder, you will see the inside parts clearly. Get rid of any foreign materials you can see.

Check the drain hose and the pump for clogging. If you see any hard chunks of debris, clear them out. If some are stuck, dip the bristle brush in vinegar and scrub them off.

Use the microfiber cloth to wipe the sidewalls and spray arms. That’s especially at the bottom and top corners. A toothbrush will help you clean the corners properly.

Additionally, check all the tiny slots and holes that allow the flow of water. If they have debris, use a toothpick or toothbrush to dislodge what is there. The tip of a wire also does a perfect job of clearing residues from the holes.

Furthermore, examine the rubber seals. Use a sponge with white vinegar to wipe the rubber seals at the door edges and interior opening. Also, remember to clean the detergent dispenser.

3. Run a hot water cycle with vinegar

Replace the filters, racks, and utensil holders. Afterward, measure two portions of the distilled white vinegar, and pour into the open bowl on the upper dishwasher rack. Run a hot water cycle to enable the vinegar to disperse to various parts of the dishwasher.

The vinegar clears the remaining food particles, soap scum, grease, and other residues. It will also access those hard-to-reach areas and break down the debris. The vinegar further clears musty odors from the dishwasher.

4. Run another wash cycle with baking soda

When the cycle with vinegar is complete, take a cup of baking soda and sprinkle it around the dishwasher’s bottom. After that, run another hot water wash cycle. The baking soda will refreshen your dishwasher and clear any stain that remains.

5. The inside of your dishwasher is now clean and fresh

Finally, you can wash your dishwasher door with a specific cleaner, and you are good to go.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Parting Shot

You now know how to clean a dishwasher with baking soda. Therefore, spare some time and give that appliance the cleaning it deserves. It’s for your own good anyway. Besides, cleaning will help keep your machine functional for the longest time.