Vinegar is a powerful cleaner that removes the dirt and grease that builds up on the most commonly used appliances in your home, including the dishwasher. This is because the acid in vinegar effectively breaks down grease, food residue and mineral deposits inside the dishwasher. However, you have to be a little more careful in using it, as it may damage the rubber gaskets if you don’t use it properly.
Why do I need to clean my dishwasher?
Before explaining the method of cleaning the dishwasher, let’s understand the importance of cleaning the dishwasher, dishwasher is every family, often or every day to use one of the equipment, the use of a long time there will be a variety of food scraps, grease and so on, especially in the filter, spray arm and the inner wall. This dirt reduces cleaning efficiency and can seriously damage your dishwasher. Sometimes it is accompanied by an odor, so it is necessary that we need to need to clean it on a regular basis, ideally about once a month. This will ensure the performance and longevity of your dishwasher. Well vinegar is a natural, affordable cleaner that removes grease and sanitizes without the use of harsh chemicals. It works well to help you clean your dishwasher.
What You’ll Need
- Distilled white vinegar or cleaning vinegar (1–2 cups)
- A dishwasher-safe bowl or mug
- A soft toothbrush or small brush
- A microfiber cloth or sponge
- Hot water
- Optional: Baking soda (1 cup) for extra deodorizing
How to Clean a Dishwasher with Vinegar
Step-by-step guide to cleaning your dishwasher with vinegar
Let us guide you in detail, step by step, to clean your dishwasher:
Step 1: Empty the Dishwasher
You need to empty your dishwasher and clean out all the contents of the dishwasher, preferably by rinsing it once with water so as to ensure that the vinegar behind it can penetrate every nook and cranny evenly.
Step 2: Check and clean the filter
Check your filter, basically every dishwasher will have this filter and this is one of the main parts that needs to be cleaned, you need to find out first if your filter is removable (some are swivel and some require a screwdriver). If it is removable, you will need to take it out and rinse it in hot water, then brush it with soft bristles to remove any residue, and finally soak it in a sink with warm water and a few drops of detergent for about 15-20 minutes. It is necessary to determine the cleanliness of the filter before reinstalling it. If your filter is not removable, you can remove any dirt by wiping around the drain area with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
Pro Tip: Check the drain for large debris like food scraps or small objects (think popcorn kernels or bits of plastic). Removing these prevents clogs and odors.
Step 3: Clean the spray arm
Clean the spray arm of your dishwasher, as this arm has small holes in it that can get clogged with garbage during use, all you need to do is pull out the bottom shelf to expose the spray arm and inspect the holes. When cleaning it, you can gently clean it with a toothpick or a fine wire. For the ones that don’t clean well, you can soak the spray arm in a mixture of warm water and 1 cup of vinegar for 20 minutes and then gently scrub it.
Step 4: Perform a vinegar wash
Once you’ve taken care of the appeal step, you can start cleaning your dishwasher by pouring 1-2 cups of distilled white vinegar (or ¾ cup of cleaning vinegar for stubborn stains) into a dishwasher-safe bowl or cup. Place it vertically on the top rack of your empty dishwasher. One thing to avoid is pouring vinegar directly into the dishwasher or detergent dispenser, as this can damage the rubber seal or cause excessive sudsing. You can then start running a full hot water wash program, but will need to turn off the heated drying option to save energy.
Why Distilled White Vinegar? Distilled white vinegar (5% acetic acid) is ideal for regular cleaning, while cleaning vinegar (6% acetic acid) is stronger for long-neglected dishwashers. Avoid apple cider vinegar, as its tannins can stain surfaces.
Step 5: Wipe down the inside
Once the wash is finished, open the dishwasher door and just let the dishwasher dry on its own for a few minutes, during this process you can use a dry rag to wipe off any debris from the inside of the dishwasher, paying special attention to the edge of the door with the intervals.
Step 6: Optional baking soda wash program (for odor removal)
If your dishwasher has an odor, you can sprinkle a cup of baking soda on the bottom of an empty dishwasher. Run a short hot water wash program (again, do not use detergent or heat drying). The baking soda will neutralize the odor and keep the inside of your dishwasher fresh. Do not mix baking soda and vinegar in the same wash program, as they will cancel each other out for cleaning.
Step 7: Clean the Exterior
Once you’ve finished cleaning the interior, you also need to remember to clean the exterior of fingerprints and smudges. Instead of spraying the cleaner directly onto the control panel, you can use a rag to wipe it down as much as you like.
How often should I clean my dishwasher?
This is a question that many families want to know, you don’t have to clean it too often, if you use the dishwasher every day, it is recommended that you clean it with vinegar once in 30 days to maintain the performance of the dishwasher, and if you usually use the dishwasher less, you can choose to clean it once in 2-3 months, and you will be fine. Unless you encounter special circumstances, such as an odor, or poor drainage.
Common Problems Troubleshooting
Persistent odor:
- Persistent Odor: If cleaning with vinegar and baking soda does not eliminate the odor, check for mold in the gasket or drain. Thoroughly scrub these areas with a toothbrush dipped in a vinegar and water solution.
- Cloudy dishes: This is primarily indicative of hard water buildup. You can use citric acid powder or a commercial descaler like affresh®. Use such inside the dishwasher and run a cycle to remove scale.
- Slow Drainage: The main cause may lie in a clogged filter or drain. Clear the drain of debris and make sure it is not clogged.
Summarize
Cleaning your dishwasher with vinegar is a common yet simple method that is effective and easy to clean your dishwasher while avoiding dishwasher odors. Do you have any suggestions or questions about dishwasher maintenance? Please share them in the comments section below and let’s keep your dishwasher in tip-top shape together.
FAQ
Where do you put white vinegar when cleaning a dishwasher?
To begin, you can clean a dishwasher with vinegar to eliminate the grime and odors. First, empty the dishwasher. Then put one cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl and place it on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run the hottest cycle on the dishwasher.
Can you put vinegar in the dishwasher instead of rinse aid?
Vinegar can be used as a temporary fix if you run out of rinse aid, but prolonged use is not recommended. The acidity in vinegar can limit the cleaning power of the detergent and can also lead to premature deterioration of rubber seals and gaskets inside of your dishwasher.
Is it OK to mix vinegar and dishwashing liquid?
For effective cleaning, the recommended ratio is 1 part dish soap to 2 parts vinegar for general cleaning tasks. This mixture perfectly balances the grease-cutting power of dish soap with the disinfecting and deodorizing properties of vinegar, making it suitable for everyday cleaning needs.
What will vinegar do to stainless steel?
Vinegar is safe to use on stainless steel and helps remove oil and grime. Fill a reusable spray bottle with a combination of 1:1 white vinegar and water. Spritz it on, and wipe it off — no need to rinse!
Is it okay to clean a stainless steel dishwasher with vinegar?
You can use a variety of products to sanitize a dishwasher including dishwasher-safe sanitizers, white vinegar, bleach, specialized dishwasher cleaners and the sanitize cycle if your appliance has one.
