Over time, you may have noticed that your previously gleaming glassware and pots and pans aren't looking quite so sparkling when they come out of the dishwasher. The good news is, that doesn't mean there's a fault with your appliance. The bad news is that you might need to pull on your rubber gloves and give it a thorough clean to get it back to its best!
Luckily, we spoke to Lauren Clark, AO.com's large appliance expert, to get her advice on keeping your dishwasher in top condition. Here's her advice for how to clean a dishwasher and tips to ensure it continues to perform its best...
How to clean a dishwasher
We’d suggest doing a deep clean on a monthly basis. To do this, fill a dishwasher-safe bowl with dishwasher cleaner or a cup of lemon juice or white vinegar and place on the top rack, then run on an empty cycle. This process helps eliminate odours from your machine and keep the dishes sparkling.
It’s also a good idea to clean the filter once a month. The filter is usually at the bottom of the dishwasher – remove it and rinse with hot water to remove any residue, then replace.
How to keep a dishwasher performing its best
You should always scrape excess food into the bin but there’s no need to pre-rinse. Dishwasher detergents need to be able to grab onto dirt to clean dishes. If dishes are going in already cleaned, then your detergent is just being washed down the drain without cleaning properly.
Dishwasher salt is what makes your pots sparkle as it prevents limescale buildup in the appliance. The salt compartment is on the base of the unit – we’d recommend checking your manual for salt measurements before adding it to the dishwasher.
Make sure you use rinse aid as it will help with drying and ensuring there’s no water left behind on the dishes, especially in hard water areas. The rinse aid compartment can be found on the door next to the detergent section but refer to your manual if you’re unsure.
After every cycle, clean the seals of the dishwasher with a damp cloth to remove bits of grime that may have surfaced.
Enjoying our household tips? Check out our guides to cleaning your curtains, organising the fridge, cleaning windows, and making your own eco-friendly cleaning products.
