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


Chimney Liners: Does Your Home Have One - Do You Even Need One?

You rely on your chimney being safe. Whether you use your fireplace for wood-burning fires, you have a furnace that vents through your chimney, you utilize a wood stove or gas insert, your chimney needs to be able to handle heat and sparks without allowing damage to your home. Stone or brick chimneys can be made safer with a flue lining that helps to move heat and gases up and out of your home.

7 Simple & Smart Basement Repairs to Consider

No space in your home is more accommodating and homey, or conversely scary, than your basement. A nicely finished basement can be the entertainment centerpiece of your entire home, housing your big-screen TV, the most comfortable couches in the place and a warm, inviting atmosphere that wraps each guest in comfort.

Things to Consider When Replacing Your Front Door

Your front door is one of the most functional, visible, and important elements in your home. If you're looking for a home improvement project that can boost curb appeal, improve security, and add style to your space, replacing your front door delivers an impressive return on investment.

Nontraditional Places to Use Pendant Lights

When you picture pendant lights, where do you see them in a house? Close your eyes and imagine it.

10 Ways To Transform Your Trashy Old Furniture Into Standout Pieces

We know. That antique sideboard or set of chairs you got after your grandma died is sentimental, but also completely clashy with every other piece of furniture you own, not to mention out of touch with your general sense of style.

Exterminating Pests: A Guide to Family-Friendly IPM Pest Warfare

Your home is a safe haven for your family, a harbor from the rough waters of life, an abode full of treasured memories and love. But sometimes it can become a home for uninvited guests of the six-legged variety. When this occurs, it's time to take action. Addressing and preventing pest infestations keeps your family healthy and staves off potential damages to your home. Here are the steps necessary to take before and after noticing signs of pests in your home.

Easy Architectural Details You Can Add To Your Home

Newer homes, especially those geared toward first-time buyers, are often devoid of the level of architectural detail you would find in older or more expensive homes. If you're not a fan of the big, boring box look, you can easily add in some detail to up the charm factor. And, many of these projects can be done yourself with minimal skill and money.

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.

Home Repairs VS Improvements: No Clear Answer

Question: I am having trouble figuring out what constitutes an improvement and what is ordinary maintenance. Thinking ahead to selling my house in a few years when the market rebounds, I have been keeping accurate records so that I can deduct these costs to lower the capital gains. Recently, I remodeled a bathroom, replaced a deck, replaced and upgraded the spa filter and motor, replaced the front door with a fiberglass model guaranteed to last more than my lifetime, and replaced a roof and rain gutters. Which of these can I safely regard as improvements, and which are just maintenance?

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.

See More Articles