Posted on July 17, 2019
Easy steps on how to clean your dishwasher - our dishwasher repair experts have written a guide on how to clean your dishwasher.
Cleaning a dishwasher is a bit of a counter-intuitive idea. After all, you’re constantly running detergent through it; why should it need its own cleaning products?
In truth, dishwashers do a pretty good job of sanitising dishes, but they also trap dirt in some unlikely places.
To avoid a dishwasher breakdown, smelly leaks, or dishes that are still dirty after a wash, perform these simple dishwasher cleaning tasks once every 4-6 weeks.
Simple steps to clean your dishwasher
Clean the Drain
The number one cause of problems with any dishwasher is water pooling up in the base, and it usually indicates a blocked pipe. Assuming that your dishwasher hasn’t been moved recently, it’s unlikely that any pipes are going to be trapped or pinched. The culprit is almost certainly lumps of waste food.
Sticking your hand into a smelly puddle of water is not exactly our idea of fun, so it’s best to keep on top of any drainage problems monthly before they become real blockages.
With all the racks removed, get on your hands and knees and look closely at the drain hole in the base of the dishwasher. You’ll need gloves in order to pull out any large lumps of food that have become trapped around the base.
Naturally, you can make this job easier by carefully scraping and pre-rinsing dishes before putting them into the dishwasher.
Wash the Racks
The racks in your dishwasher pick up gunk and bacteria, particularly around bends and tight corners where the water jets can’t quite reach.
The best way to clean them is to wash them in soapy water, paying close attention to areas where food could get trapped.
Wipe the Seals
If your dishwasher door seals fail, you’re going to wind up with leaks and puddles on your kitchen floor. You can help prolong the life of the door seal by wiping around it firmly with a damp cloth.
Inspect the folds and remove any mould, mildew, or trapped pieces of food.
Rinse... And You’re Done
Once you’ve wiped the dishwasher and put it all back together, you should run a warm wash with a cleaning product designed specifically for dishwashers.
Some brands can be used in the washing machine too, so it might be a good idea to get one that’s multi-purpose so you can keep your washing machine in good shape too.
Of course, good old-fashioned white vinegar works just as well in the kitchen, and it’ll clean the dishwasher well. Give it a quick rinse cycle afterwards to ensure it’s sparkling clean.
What if it Still Isn’t Working?
If you do all of this and you still have issues with your dishwasher, you probably need to call in a repair engineer to help. Rather than risking an unknown person, and unknown costs, Go Assist can arrange a fixed price repair.
If you have a big brand dishwasher, we can even offer you our no fix, no fee service.
Get in touch with Go Assist now and tell us about your dishwasher problem. We’ll have you up and running in no time.