article

It's Time to Clean Your Kitchen Dishwasher

By Bluehammer Admin

Whether your dishwasher has a funky smell to it or not, a periodic cleaning should be at the top of your to-do list

What's making my dishwasher smell?

The culprit for a smelly dishwasher is usually one of two things, stagnant water or trapped food particles. Often times one is a result of the other. If there is a blockage that is leaving water or food it will usually smell like mildew or rotten eggs. The good thing is that you can fix it and it's easy! Follow the steps below to get you on your way to a smell-free dishwasher.

  • Empty your dishwasherRemove all your dishes before you begin
  • Check for food particles Your dishwasher has a food trap or filter at the bottom. It lets smaller, loose food through and traps anything that might cause a clog in your drain. Often times food can build up and slow the flow of water leaving the area moist. Remove your bottom dish rack and check the food trap / filter. Wipe any build-up away with warm water and a towel. If you can, remove the filter and wash it with warm water and then replace it. With the bottom rack removed, also check the sprayer arms for any food build up that would block the flow of water. Wipe them clean with hot water and a towel. When you're finished, replace your lower dish rack.
  • Cycle 1: VinegarPour about 1 1/2 cup of white vinegar into a bowl and set it in the top rack. Alternatively, you can also just pour the vinegar directly into the bottom of your dishwasher. Set your dishwasher to run a heavy cycle and make sure you have not added any dishwasher detergent. The vinegar's acidic make up will work to both deoderize and clean your appliance.
  • Cycle 2: Baking SodaWe all know how baking soda can keep your refrigerator and food smelling fresh, so why not use it for your dishwasher? Sprinkle about 1 1/2 cups of baking soda directly on the bottom of your dishwasher and let it go to work for you. Let it sit for at least an hour (preferrably overnight) before again running a heavy cycle.
  • Check your resultsBy now your dishwasher should be clean and fresh smelling. Look for any loose food particles arond the seal of your door or filter. There shouldn't be any but if you had a really dirty dishwasher, you should easily be able to remove these with a towel or an old tooth brush.

Now that it is clean, let's talk about maintenance

You should check your food trap or filter every other week depending on how much you use your dishwasher. To help make sure food doesn't get trapped, rinse large chunks from your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Remember, your dishwasher is attached to your kitchen drain so make sure you run your garbage disposal with water before you start your dishwasher. This makes sure no food from your disposal runs back into your dishwasher.

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED "AS IS" AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


Renovations to Make Aging at Home Easier

As you or your loved one ages, your home may need to be adapted to accommodate lifestyle changes, accessibility and independence. Over 41% of individuals plan to stay in their own homes until the age of 81 or older. It is important to make gradual adaptations to your home as you age to allow for maneuverability. When remodeling to age at home, start early and plan ahead. It is cheaper to do small renovations one at a time than an entire home overhaul overnight.

7 Model Home Ideas To Steal For Your Home

You don't have to be in the market for a new home to tour model homes. In fact, model home complexes are a great place to get a few ideas for your existing home. Whether you're looking for ideas to renovate your kitchen and want to see the most current trends, are having a hard time deciding on paint colors and want to see how others are incorporating color into the home, or are simply looking for a little inspiration, you can find it here.

Tips For Decorating Rooms That Are Long And Narrow

Distract attention away from an awkward room shape and create a pleasing design using these pro tips.

8 Laundry Rooms That'll Make You Want To Fluff And Fold

Let's face it. Laundry is no fun. In fact, it's often counted among our most hated chores. But since running around in stinky, soiled clothes is not an option for most of us, it's gotta get done.

Find The Right Interior Doors For Your Home

Take a minute to count the number of doors in your house. Surprising, right? Consider then, the impact that a little attention to the doors can have on the overall style and design of your home. Whether you're just moving in or staging for a sale, new doors are a simple way to dramatically update the space. The good news is that there are as many styles of doors as there are doors in your home. Making the decision is the toughest part.

Remodeling Your Outdoor Patio On A Budget

Creating and sticking to a home improvement project's budget is about as easy and comfortable as pulling teeth. But when it comes to a task as exciting as an outdoor space remodel, it's necessary to think and talk about the budget before taking any further steps.

How To Score A Deal On Home Appliances

Who doesn't dream of a kitchen full of shiny, new appliances. Raise your hand if you want a new refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, microwave - and, hey, let's throw in a washer and dryer, too - but don't want to pay top dollar for them. The expense is definitely a bummer when it comes to buying new, but you don't have to go broke to get what you want. Use a few tips and tricks to get a great deal.

Nine House Cleaning Tasks That Give You A Great Workout

House cleaning is a drag. That comes as a surprise to no one. But, there is a great side benefit to having a tidy home. Well, there are many, but we're not talking about the psychological advantages of living in a clean home or even the fact that a clean house just plain looks good. We're talking about working up a sweat. Go ahead and skip the gym. Grab the broom or the vacuum cleaner instead. Turns out the simple acts of sweeping, vacuuming, and so many more housecleaning tasks can give you a great workout.

Five Easy Ways To Remake Your Fireplace

It's chilly out there! You've probably got your heat cranked up and the fireplace on. And, chances are you're staring at that fireplace and thinking of all the things you'd like to change.

10 Key Problems to Look Out For and Fix in Your Home

Ignore some of these signs and you may end up with major issues. We tell you which are normal and which are cause for concern

See More Articles