I received a great response to my How to Clean your Washing Machine post. I’m so glad to know I wasn’t the only one out there with a dirty washing machine! :)
That post however lead to more questions from my readers (which is awesome). Here’s a question I received from a reader:
“Do you have any similar tricks for how to clean the dishwasher? Mine just looks gross. I have tried running it empty with borax and it helped a little but nothing fantastic. Thanks!”
Answer:
The process to cleaning your dishwasher is very similar to cleaning your washing machine.
Step 1: Wipe out your dishwasher with a washcloth removing any excess food or grime.
Step 2: Place a glass or mug on the top rack of an empty dishwasher and fill it with white vinegar.
Step 3: Run your dishwasher through an entire cycle.
Step 4: When the dishwasher has completed it’s cycle wipe it out again with a clean washcloth. If there is any grime left that you want to tackle use a sponge and straight white vinegar to scrub off the tough spots.
Here’s a hint I learned from our repair man: Before running your dishwasher run let the water in your kitchen sink run until it gets to it’s hottest. This way when the dishwasher starts it’s cycle it’s starting with hot water instead of cold water. Who wants there dishes to be pre-rinsed with cold water? Gross!
Happy Cleaning!
About Anna
Thanks for sharing ….great idea…I'm going to clean my dishwasher right now!!!!
I should probably do this…it's been too long;)
Excellent tip Anna! I definitely need to use this tip to clean my dishwasher! Thanks for linking up :).www.dontwasteyourhomemaking.com
This is great! I've bought "dishwasher cleaning tablets, but didn't realize I could just use vinegar. Thanks. I found you on the Making the world Cuter Blog Hop and am now following.
Mine needs doing. Doesn't the vinegar make it smell though, I remember my late father in law cleaning windows with vinegar and the house wreaked! Thanks for the tip.Found you on Totally Tuesday Blog Hop.CJ xx
Thanks for the tip….darn now I don't have an excuse not to clean my dishwasher.
For the OP, I have never had it smell much at all! And I admit I'm lazy – I just pour a big glug of white vinegar in the bottom of the machine instead of using a cup. Works great!
I'm giddy with excitement!!! I can actually clean my dishwasher and washing machine now! We live in areas with really hard water which is hard on my appliances. Thanks so much for sharing!!!
I just found your blog and am your newest follower. Thanks for the fab tips!!!
Great ideas! I so need to do this. Thanks for linking to We're Organized Wednesday.
Thanks for the tip! I really need to clean mine, it's horrible!
I put vinegar in the rinse aid dispenser. It works just as well without the chemicals. Vinegar is also a natural disinfectant.
My husband and I took apart and scrubbed our dishwasher. It is now sparkly white and smelling good. Thanks for the tips!
Thank you for posting such a useful, impressive and a wicked article./Wow.. looking good!Commercial Dishwasher
Very cool….vinegar is the cleaner of all cleaners….same thing for your microwave….one part vinegar to one parts water in a bowl and microwave for 5 minutes….let sit for 2 mins and wipe! Vinegar rocks!
how do i clean BETWEEN the glass on my oven? Thanks!! great tips1!!!!!!!!!
There are directions and a link at the bottom of this post: http://askannamoseley.com/2011/05/how-to-clean-the-oven-glass/
Good luck!
Thank you for the cleaning tip! I’ll have to do this when I get home so the inside of my dishwasher will look just as good as the outside.
I also use a product called Lemishine whith each wash and it cleans really well leaving the glassware with no water stains. This product is incredible. I buy it at Target by the other dishwasher products
Would there be any harm to put the cup of vinegar in with a normal load of dishes?
No, not at all! I think it would actually make your dishes even cleaner. :)
Anna
I was going to buy a new dishwasher I had white coating on everything. I tried this trick and the dishwasher is working like new…Darn
I also did this in the washer, worked like a charm
just joined you all,,,,,by any chance, are you on facebook?
Yep! You can find me here: http://www.facebook.com/#%21/askannamoseley
The link for how to clean your washing machine is not working. Everytime I click it I just get redirected to this page.
GRRR! Thank you for telling me, I will fix it! :)
P.S. Here’s the real link: http://askannamoseley.com/2011/02/how-to-clean-the-washing-machine/
Hi, I recently purchased an all natural product from Walmart for cleaning the dishwasher as well as the glasses and dishes of hard water deposits, it works great, my stainless steel is now shiny and clean. I use the powder with every wash. I beleive it to be citric acid, the longer I use it the better it looks. I have cut back on the amount but still use in every wash with the all in one tabs by Cascade.
Perfect timing Anna! It’s been looking bad lately. Now I know how to clean it. Thanks!!
Allison recently posted..Give a Hoot! Don’t Pollute!!!
Any ideas on how toremove candlewax off of a leather backpack purse. Thanks
This trick should work: http://askannamoseley.com/2012/02/how-to-remove-spilled-wax/
I have also used Tang (or generic orange drink mix) to get the hard water stains off.