Be honest, we’ve all done it. You open your dishwasher only to be met with an awful smell. How can something that is so clean smell so bad? Or maybe you open your dishwasher and can’t miss the film that coats everything. How can something that is so clean look so dirty? Or maybe you open the dishwasher and the dishes just don’t seem clean. How can something that is so clean leave such a mess? I think we have all asked ourselves at least one of these questions. Dishwashers should be clean but like so many other things in our houses, they just get dirty. Is it time to clean your dishwasher?

Time to clean the dishwasher? Really? Of course! Those things get dirty, stinky and grimy. If your dishwasher is not looking, smelling and cleaning it’s best, it is time to clean the dishwasher. There are lots of tips and tricks to cleaning a dishwasher. They range from easy to hard and cheap to expensive. Let’s talk about some of the ways to clean the dishwasher.

Check your filter
Did you know that your dishwasher has a filter? There are lots of people who don’t know this and subsequently lots of filters that don’t get cleaned. If you haven’t checked or cleaned your dishwasher’s filter, you may be in for a nasty surprise. It can be ugly in there if it has been left unattended. If you have a weak stomach or strong gag reflex you may need someone else to do this for you – I’m semi-serious. Dishwasher filters are usually on the bottom of the dishwasher, near the middle. Food, debris, bits of wrappers and plastic – there are usually lots of icky bits down in there. Many filters are very easy to clean. If yours looks hard to clean or reach, a quick online search will usually point you to directions for your exact dishwasher. Checking and cleaning the filter is a very important step when you want to clean the dishwasher.

Buy a dishwasher cleaner
There are a lot of different kinds of dishwasher cleaners out there. When it is time to clean the dishwasher, a quick trip down the soap aisle will give you lots of options. I’ll admit to trying most of these. Some work great and others, not so great. A quick search of dishwasher cleaners on Amazon will show you lots of the options and you’ll be able to read reviews too. If you want to buy a readymade dishwasher cleaner, it is a great place to start.

Use a homemade cleaning method
There are lots of ways to clean your dishwasher with ingredients that you have around the house. Another quick online search will provide you with lots of ideas. Some people use white vinegar or baking soda. Others use bleach and yet others use Borax. Some people even recommend unusual options like lemon Kool-Aid or Tang. Yes, you read that right, those are drink mixes. The citric acid is great at cleaning the inside of your dishwasher.
 

Use a rinse aid
Once your dishwasher is clean, use a rinse aid like Jet Dry to help keep the inside of your dishwasher clean. There are lots of other rinse aids and lots of store brands that do a great job.

Have another tip for when it is time to clean your dishwasher? Let us know. We love to hear from you!