The dishwasher stands out as one of these modern solutions to the age-old problem of washing dishes. It serves as the unsung hero in the kitchen of today’s busy working woman, easing the burden of washing and drying utensils.
While many of us rely on our dishwashers without considering their cleanliness, it is important to remember that, like any other appliance, dishwashers also require regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure your dishes come out sparkling clean without odor.
In this article, we will discuss the steps and materials needed to clean your dishwasher at home.
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What is a Dishwasher?
A Dishwasher is an appliance that automates the tedious task of cleaning and drying dishes. To use it, you simply feed the dishes, add detergent, and set a washing cycle.
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Materials You Will Need to Clean Your Dishwasher
- Warm Water
- Dish soap
- White Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Toothpick
- Toothbrush
- Rubber gloves
- Microfiber cloth
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How Often Should One Clean Their Dishwasher?

What kind of cleaning and how frequently cleaning your dishwasher needs depends on your usage. It is unnecessary to deep clean your dishwasher every day or week. Just some basic cleaning is enough to maintain it daily. Check out the kind of cleaning your dishwasher needs-
Daily (probably after every load)- All you need to do is remove visible bits of food from inside the filter well and the bottom of the dishwasher.
Weekly cleaning– Gently wipe the edges and gasket to remove any debris, and remove and clean the filter.
Monthly deep cleaning- Deep interior cleaning will be needed to maintain the dishwasher’s performance.
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How to Deep Clean Your Dishwasher Yourself

Cleaning your dishwasher on your own is a straightforward process. You don’t need any expert or send it to a cleaning station to get it deep cleaned. Just follow these steps-
- Collect all the materials you need for dishwasher cleaning. Make sure you have everything with you before you start cleaning the dishwasher. The materials required are written above.
- Make a mixture of warm water and white Vinegar. To begin cleaning, remove the dishwasher racks, utensil holders, and filters from inside the dishwasher and drip them into your sink in the mixture you made for at least half an hour. This will remove not only food particles but also any trapped odors present.
- While all that is soaking, clean the interior walls of the dishwasher. Ensure you clean every nook and corner with soapy and possibly warm water. Pay special attention to spray arms as they are the ones that spray soap water on utensils. These spray arms should have no food debris trapped inside. Clean these holes with a toothbrush and wipe them gently.
- Every dishwasher has a drainer designed to collect all the waste post-cleaning utensils. Find the drainer and remove any waste collected after washing it. This will ensure a clog-free cleaning by your dishwasher so that no waste is left behind. Drainage passage should be seamless.
- Exterior cleaning is also important to maintain your dishwasher. The exterior door should be wiped clean with a soft microfiber cloth gently using a mild detergent meant for stainless steel only. Avoid using harsh fabric or hard detergent to clean the door, as it can lead to scratches and affect its color.
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FAQs about Dishwasher Cleaning
1. Does Vinegar really clean a dishwasher?
Yes, Vinegar helps clean a dishwasher. You can add Vinegar to your dishwasher’s detergent compartment. Just add a moderate amount, as too much Vinegar can erode gaskets and hoses over time. Never use Vinegar in place of dishwashing detergents when washing dishes.
2. Can Apple Cider be used instead of Vinegar to clean the dishwasher?
Yes, apple cider or even lemon juice can be used to clean the inside of the dishwasher.
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3. Can a dishwasher clean Indian masala stains?
Yes, it can easily clean all kinds of Masala, oil, and greasy stains. Depending on how dirty the dishes are, the temperature can be set between 45 degrees Celsius and 70 degrees Celsius.

4. Can a dishwasher clean kadhai and other large utensils?
The two big dishwasher baskets can hold your Kadhais, pots, and pans and still have space for plates, spoons, katoris, etc.
5. Does a dishwasher consume lots of electricity?
No, a good branded dishwasher will use only 1 kW of energy for every wash cycle.
6. Is a dishwasher safe for washing baby bottles?
Yes, it can be washed up to 70 degrees Celsius, so it is completely safe for washing baby bottles.
7. Will dishes need to be pulled out if a cycle stops in between?
No, washing will start from where it was left off when the power resumes.
8. How much space does a dishwasher need to fit in an average Indian kitchen?
A dishwasher needs an average space of only 60cm in width so it can fit into almost every Indian kitchen.
9. How will grease be removed if one doesn’t scrub dishes with one hand?
The dishwasher has powerful spray arms that can remove stubborn stains and grease with high water pressure, giving you an effective wash.
10. How much time does loading of a dishwasher take?
Loading a dishwasher takes around 5 minutes, and then you can continue working while the dishes are washed.
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