Here's How Often You Need To Clean Your Dishwasher

Dishwashers can make your life just a little bit easier by helping you clean your dirty dishes, but did you know your dishwasher needs to be cleaned regularly? It is rumored that dishwashers are self-cleaning since, in the process of washing your dishes, the detergent and water also hit the areas inside the dishwasher. However, even though you may run your dishwasher daily or a few times a week, it is built to clean your dishes, not itself. Chunks of food, debris, and soap scum can build up in your dishwasher and actually affect the way it runs or damage parts of the machine. Not to mention that if it isn't cleaned regularly, your dishwasher can start to have a foul odor or leave your dishes dirty after running.

Good Housekeeping recommends removing bits of food from your dishwasher daily, so your machine doesn't get damaged. Each week you should wipe down the interior of your dishwasher, and you can clean and buff the exterior of your dishwasher in your weekly cleaning routine or as needed using a stainless steel cleaner. To help with odors and keep your dishwasher running smoothly, a monthly deep clean of the interior is recommended.

To clean the interior of your dishwasher each month, you can either use a store-bought dishwasher cleaner, following the instructions on the packaging or use a DIY method explained by Architectural Digest. This easy method deep cleans your dishwasher, leaving it odorless and fresh, and all you need is distilled white vinegar, a bowl, and baking soda.

The first step of this cleaning method is to empty your dishwasher of all dishes and silverware. Then pour 1 cup of vinegar into your bowl and place it in the center of the top rack of your dishwasher. Run a complete cycle on hot with the vinegar inside. The vinegar will help to dissolve food grime and soap scum. After the vinegar cycle, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda in the bottom of your dishwasher and run another short cycle. Once that cycle is done, your dishwasher will be clean and fresh, and your dishes will thank you.