Dishwasher Maintenance

Wednesday 9th April 2014

What You Need
Distilled white vinegar
Baking soda
Sponge
Screwdriver, (check internal dishwasher screws before you start)
Toothpick (or other small pointy object to clean out spinning arm)
Dish soap
Microfiber cloths or soft rags
Toothbrush
Stainless steel or multipurpose cleaner

Instructions
1. Empty the dishwasher: Wait until after you've run a cycle, then completely empty the dishwasher.

2. Remove the racks and check the spinning holes. Make sure the holes in the spinning arm are clear and open so that water can run through them freely. Use a toothpick, or some other small pointy tool  to remove any debris that has built up in the holes of the spinning arm. Be careful not to scratch the spinning arms.

3. Wipe the bottom of the door and the dishwasher grate. In some dishwasher models, the bottom of the dishwasher door accumulates debris because water cannot reach there. Wipe this off. Then inspect the grill or grate in the bottom of the dishwasher where the wastewater collects, and remove any food particles that are clogging the grate. Wash the grate area with warm, soapy water.

4. Wash the filter, if you have one: If you have a filter, remove and disassemble the parts in your sink. In my case, the filter was attached with several screws. Make sure you have a tool on hand that works to remove these properly. Set your screws aside in a safe place so that when it comes time to reassemble you aren't hunting around for them. Using a soft toothbrush, wash the filter parts with a baking soda paste or warm, soapy water. Reassemble and replace all parts.

5. Wipe the door seal. Soak a damp cloth in vinegar, then wipe around the door seal. Get into the tiny, tighter areas with a toothbrush, also soaked in vinegar.

6. Clean the utensil rack. Check the utensil rack for any stuck-on food pieces, and remove them with a soapy toothbrush or dish brush. Rinse. Wash off the top and bottom racks of your dishwasher and return them all to the machine.

8. Run an empty cycle with vinegar. To remove hard water deposits and catch anything you may have missed in your earlier cleaning, add 2 cups of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher and run the dishwasher on a Low or Energy-Saving cycle. Stop the dishwasher halfway through the cycle, and let the vinegar stand on the bottom for about 20 minutes. Turn on and complete the cycle.

9. Clean and polish the exterior, sides, and all buttons on the panel. If you have a stainless steel dishwasher, apply a stainless steel spray to the exterior of the dishwasher, and wipe with a soft or microfiber cloth. Rinse if necessary. For a streak-free finish, spray cleaner on one towel. Dry with a second clean towel in the direction of the grain.

10. All clean! Repeat once a month or as needed.