The dishwasher works hard in your kitchen. Learn how to maintain its efficient operation and its epic appearance with our complete guide to cleaning it from the inside to the outside, according to Martha's maintenance manual.
Exterior cleaning
Once a week, clean the dishwasher door panel with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry it thoroughly. Stainless steel can be cleaned with a commercial stainless steel sprayer. To clean the control panel, use a slightly damp cloth (excessive humidity can damage the panel) and dry it thoroughly. The interior of the dishwasher is stainless steel or plastic. Stainless steel is generally impervious to stains; plastic is more vulnerable.Cleaning downy mildew
To remove mold from the inside or the joint, mix 1 volume of bleach with 10 volumes of water or mix 1 gallon of water with 1/2 cup of ammonia. Then wipe with a cloth or sponge, with rubber gloves. Note: never mix bleach and ammonia; this would cause dangerous and potentially fatal fumes. Do not use chlorine bleach to remove mold if the machine has a stainless steel interior; bleach can corrode it. Run the dishwasher through a rinse cycle to remove any residual cleaner.
Cleaning rust stains
Iron and magnesium in water generally cause rust. It can also come from a rusty water heater or rusty water pipes. You can verify the presence of iron and magnesium by having an analysis done by a water treatment equipment company or a testing laboratory. To find a local facility, contact your local cooperative extension system office. They should be able to tell you how to get a sample of your water and send it for analysis. To remove stains, try a commercial anti-rust treatment, such as RoVer Rust Remover. As a precaution, ask a plumbing contractor to install a filter that can help control rust.
Cleaning brown spots
Probably caused by an accumulation of calcium or iron, use citric acid (also known as acid salt) in liquid form, available in some large grocery stores (it was once widely used for canning) and in many health food stores; you can also buy it from some online retailers. Empty the dishwasher, fill the detergent tank with citric acid and start a full cycle. Run the dishwasher through a second cycle without crystals but with detergent.
Cleaning Red Stains
Mainly caused by a tomato-based product, this type of stain can be permanent but should disappear over time with repeated washing. Spots can be minimized by removing any excess sauce from your dishes before loading the dishwasher.
Cleaning green spots
Caused by detergents that contain dye or color pigments, and this can be corrected as easily as switching to another detergent.Cleaning the accumulation of white film
This is caused by hard minerals and, over time, can damage other components of the dishwasher. Install a water softening system. You can temporarily remove the buildup by using citric acid, as directed for dark spots.Cleaning the Interior
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| How to Clean Your Dishwasher ? |
After treating the stains, clean the inside of your dishwasher: remove the racks and use a toothpick to remove dirt from the holes in the rotating arms. Wash the grid where the water flows, as well as the removable filter (if there is one) with hot soapy water. Wipe the rubber door seal with a damp cloth dampened in vinegar. Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda on the bottom, then run the machine on a short cycle of hot water to clean up any stains and odors.
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