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How to Get My Dishwasher to Clean Better?

Woman in an apron kneeling down, scrubbing the inside of a dishwasher

When you open the door of a dishwasher, you expect to be greeted by very clean plates, bowls, and other items. Generally, this is the scene when you and other dishwasher owners open their appliance’s door after a wash.

However, this scene is not always what appears when the dishwasher has finished its cycles. Many owners, like you, often find that their dishes are still dirty. When this happens you often think about how to improve your appliance’s performance.

To get help in that quest, just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know to accomplish that objective.

Tips to Get Your Dishwasher to Clean Better

close up of woman kneeling into a dishwasher, cleaning it.

It pays to get a few tips to help make your dishwashing chores go a little easier and faster. No one likes to rewash dinner plates, etc., and following the upcoming tips may spare you that extra chore.

1. Don’t Delay Your Rinsing Stage- The longer your leftover food, sauces, etc., sit on your plate, the harder they will get. Then, the harder they get, the tougher they are to clean off.

To avoid this messy situation, rinse off the plates as soon as everyone is done with theirs. Then place them in the dishwasher right after and do not leave them in the sink. It may be a little bit of a hassle but at least the dishes do not get dirty again when you rinse other dishes off.

2. Space is Your Friend You may not like the idea of running two loads of dishes through your dishwasher, but it may be necessary. The amount of space you give your dishes determines how clean they will get. Give as much space as reasonably possible to make sure the sprayer’s water jets can adequately reach all dishes.

3. Give Your Dishwasher a Cleaning Before Using it to Clean Dishes- Dishwashers get dirty and they need to be cleaned about every 6 months. You can do it sooner and more frequently if you want as a cleaning cycle does not harm your dishwasher.

Close up of a dishwasher rack with one red mug and one glass

To do this task right, all you have to do is follow the upcoming steps:

1. Empty the Dishwasher- Make sure you remove all the dishes including utensils and other small items.

2. Remove All Movable Parts- This can include the utensil tray, the racks, spray nozzle, and float.

3. Wash those removable parts in your sink with warm soapy water.

4. Next, clear out any debris in the bottom of your appliance. These will be items that are too large and cannot go down the drain. You may be surprised at what you find lurking on the bottom of your dishwasher.

Hand putting parts back on dish washer

5. Put everything you removed from the appliance back in its proper place.

6. Once that is done, pour 1 to 2 cups of vinegar on the bottom of the dishwasher and let it sit there.

7. Turn the cleaning cycle on and let it go through the full cycle.

8. After the cycle is over, open the door and wipe the door frame, including the edge of the door and anywhere else grime and dirt may have found a home.

9. When that step is over, sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of the appliance. Let the powder sit there for about an hour. You can let it sit overnight if you so desire and do not need the appliance for a while.

10. After the wait is over, run the cleaning cycle once again.

When the cycle is over, your dishwasher should be both clean, deodorized, and ready for normal activities once again.

Some Final Words

And empty dish washer

It is not always a family favorite task but cleaning your dishwasher and following the other tips above should produce better cleaning results. Taking care of your appliances is a smart move to make as they will last longer and perform a lot better.

Instead of waiting for 6 months, it is possible to give your dishwasher a good cleaning once a month to make sure it is doing its job well. That way you can feel confident that your daily eating dishes are ready for every meal, and you do not have to worry about bacteria or germs.

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