The Cleaning Hack People Use For A Spotless Dishwasher (& Does It Actually Work?)

When it comes to cleaning, we all lean on our supplies and appliances to keep our everyday necessities — like dishes and laundry — clean and sanitized. What can easily be overlooked, however, it cleaning the very machines that clean the other items in our lives. Think about how often you wash dishes in your dishwasher. Then, think about how often you clean your dishwasher. For many, the answer might even be never.

If you're new to the idea of cleaning your dishwasher, there's no need to panic or reach for risky cleaning hacks just because you wonder if they really work. We wonder, too, especially about hacks as outlandish as washing your dishwasher with Tang drink powder. So, we asked experts Katie Dills, brand president of The Cleaning Authority, and Katie Berry, owner of Housewives How-Tos, in exclusive interviews with House Digest for their takes on whether there is any way Tang can clean a dishwasher. Shockingly, one expert agrees that it could (with caveats, of course). 

The claims that Tang can clean the built-up food and mineral deposits in your dishwasher are based on the fact that it contains citric acid. Citric acid is well-known as a mild organic acid used for descaling and other deep cleaning tasks. Cleaning a dishwasher is actually the perfect task for citric acid and its naturally acidic nature. "Citric acid is an affordable, natural way to deodorize and clean mineral buildup in a dishwasher," Katie Berry confirmed in an exclusive interview with House Digest.

"You can add it to the detergent dispenser and run your machine on a normal cycle without any dishes in it, or dissolve ⅓ cup in hot water and use that to wipe down the inside of the empty machine before running it without detergent," she specified. When specifically asked about cleaning a dishwasher with Tang, Berry agreed that it could work for those who don't have the option to clean with citric acid alone. However, she explained that extra steps would be necessary to mitigate the risks. "Since it contains dye and sugars, you should run another load immediately afterward to rinse your machine's hoses and filters," she cautioned. 

While Tang isn't the worst agent available, it isn't the cheapest or easiest way to clean your dishwasher either. While speaking exclusively with House Digest, Katie Dills recommended using simple white vinegar and baking soda (separately — cleaning with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda isn't as effective as you think) to clean your dishwasher. She also stressed the importance of manually removing any food or debris from the dishwasher's drain before you begin your cleaning process. "First, take the bottom rack out and check the drain for any food, glass, residue, or anything that could interfere with the drain," she instructed.

Then, she recommended placing a cup of white vinegar on the top rack of your dishwasher and running a normal cycle without a heated dry. The secret? Run another cycle with baking soda afterwards. "To truly make your dishwasher smell and look immaculate, scatter a cup of baking soda around the bottom of the dishwasher and run a short cycle with hot water," she revealed. After this second cycle, she advised readers to gently wipe down the inner walls of the dishwasher with warm water and dish soap for a sparkling clean.