How to Clean Your Dishwasher with Baking Soda

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Notice gunk still stuck on your dishes after a complete wash in the dishwasher? Find yourself pinching your nose every time you open it? It might be time to face reality– your dishwasher needs cleaning!

Most people have this misconception that a dishwasher always cleans itself, what with all the water and detergent being sprayed inside it when it’s used. It turns out that’s not the case.

Don’t worry, though! You have us to walk you through solving this. We’ll show you how to clean your dishwasher with baking soda. Let’s go!

How Should You Clean Your Dishwasher?

Cleaning your dishwasher is quite an easy task. Follow this step-by-step guide, and you’ll be saying goodbye to gunk forever!

1. Wash the Dishwasher Parts

You won’t be able to give your dishwasher a good clean without washing its parts. So, start by removing the bottom rack of your dishwasher and the utensil holders. Lastly, carefully remove your dishwasher filter.

Please place them in warm water and one cup of white vinegar. Leave them for 30 minutes and then scrub them.

According to The Spruce, you should clean your dishwasher filter at least once a month so it can continue to work efficiently.

2. Clean Every Nook and Cranny

Now that your dishwasher is mostly empty, this will give you enough room to get in there and reach every nook and cranny inside.

Dip a spare toothbrush in dish soap and scrub any built-up food particles stuck on your dishwasher’s side walls and upper and lower spray bars.

Don’t forget to check the drain, pump, and filtration system. Remove any leftover debris that may clog those components.

3. Wash with Vinegar

After you’ve cleaned all corners, it’s time to wash your dishwasher with vinegar. Fill a dishwasher-safe bowl with one cup of vinegar and put it on the top rack. Close your dishwasher, set the water on the hottest setting, and run an entire wash cycle.

White vinegar has a pH of around 2.5, which is highly acidic. Its acidity makes it a good cleaner, breaking down soap scum, grease, food, and grime. It sanitizes your dishwasher, too!

4. Sprinkle with Baking Soda

It’s hard to completely get rid of tough stains and odors with vinegar alone. Baking soda is your best bet if you want a spotless and odor-free dishwasher.

Once the first cycle ends, remove the cup from the rack. Sprinkle one cup of baking soda around the bottom of your dishwasher. And still, on the hottest water setting, run a short wash cycle.

How Stuff Works reports that baking soda is abrasive that can handle stubborn stains. It’s also an alkali that can counteract acids in odor particles, successfully removing the foul smell.

5. Wipe the Exterior

When the second cycle is complete, reattach all the dishwasher parts to their places and close the dishwasher. It’s now time to clean the dishwasher door.

Soak a microfiber cloth in a mixture of water, dish soap, and white vinegar. Wring the cloth and wipe the dishwasher door until it’s cleaned.

Why Should You Regularly Clean Your Dishwasher?

Giving your dishwasher a monthly scrub can improve your quality of life. We’ve listed some important reasons to keep you motivated in maintaining a clean dishwasher.

1. Need Fewer Repairs

If you don’t regularly clean your dishwasher, food, grease, and detergent residue build up over time. This can clog your dishwasher’s pump, drain, and filter, causing leaks and damaging the appliance.

Regular cleaning can help you save money by keeping your components running smoothly, minimizing the need for repairs, and lengthening your dishwasher’s lifespan.

2. Increase Its Efficiency

With food debris clogging up the drain and filter, your dishwasher will struggle to clean your dishes thoroughly.

There’s no doubt you’d get annoyed seeing spots and films on your glassware when you expected them to be spick and span after a complete wash. Clean your dishwasher every month, and it will reward you with spotlessly clean dishes.

3. Eliminate Health Risks

LiveStrong states that your filthy dishwasher may become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Neglecting to clean your dishwasher regularly can lead to it fostering many types of bacteria, such as E. coli, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas.

Most of these bacteria aren’t a concern to healthy individuals, but they can pose a risk to those with weak immune systems.

The only way to avoid this is to clean your dishwasher as often as possible. A sanitary dishwasher means zero doctor’s appointments for you and your family.

Wrap Up

Now that you’ve learned how to clean your dishwasher with baking soda, we hope you’ll also remember the benefits of regularly keeping it spotless and sanitary.

Besides, keeping your home and your appliances clean and bacteria-free is a form of self-care.

So, keep scrubbing!