The washing machine and the dishwasher are two of the most practical appliances that we use the most today; especially in houses with large families. They make our task much easier and allow us to save a lot of time. The high temperatures at which dishwashers operate are also perfect so that everything we leave in their hands comes out of the machine like gold jets. Without any food residue, shiny and also without a trace of bacteria. It is efficient and very hygienic.
But as with other large appliances – such as the washing machine or the refrigerator – it is crucial that we keep them in good condition with a more superficial cleaning on a daily basis combined with deeper cleaning from time to time, as well as the use of some products. that allow them to continue functioning like the first day. To do this, we recommend that you consult the instructions for your machine and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for that particular model.
Recommendations for use
In any case, there are a series of recommendations that we can put into practice to prevent a lot of debris and dirt from accumulating in our dishwasher:
- Before placing plates, glasses, cutlery and other kitchen utensils in the dishwasher, remove as much food debris as possible to prevent clogging the machine’s drainage system. You can do it by scraping with a spatula or utensil, or simply with a paper napkin. Of course, do not rinse them with water beforehand because it is wasteful.
- Always use specific dishwasher detergent and the indicated dose; Using an inappropriate detergent or using too much detergent can also end up damaging the machine.
- Do not load the dishwasher more than necessary; if you block the water flow, the dishes will not be cleaned properly and more grease and dirt will accumulate.
- Once the washing cycle is finished, leave the door ajar to prevent the humidity that forms inside from generating bad odors.
- Pay attention to the machine’s instructions and when it tells you that the rinse aid or salt tanks have been emptied, replace them.
Keys to keep it like new
Now, we are going to tell you a series of tricks to keep your dishwasher clean so that you can enjoy its use for as long as possible and in the best conditions. Many people believe that since the dishwasher is soaking every time it is started, they do not have to worry about cleaning it, but this is not true:
- Daily you can simply wipe it with a cloth moistened with water and a little dish detergent, both inside and out.
- But from time to time, we will do a deep cleaning with vinegar or baking soda, two products that we probably always have around the house and that are perfect for cleaning and disinfecting. How will we do it? You can sprinkle baking soda over the machine and add vinegar to the bucket. We will put on a short program and when it ends, we leave the door ajar. This procedure can be put into practice at least a couple of times a year. Vinegar is very effective as a cleaning product but its acidity can also damage the appliance if we use it excessively.
- In some cases it will be necessary to use specific products that we can find on the market and that are very effective against grease, lime and bad odors. They are also essential if our goal is to thoroughly clean the internal ducts of the appliance.
- Some dishwashers have a self-cleaning option to spray water from inside the filter and remove the remains of dirt that accumulate, but if yours does not have it, don’t worry because you can do it by hand. In fact, it is advisable to do it from time to time and it is very simple. You just have to dismantle the filter, remove any remains of dirt and rinse it under the tap; If necessary, you can use a little neutral soap and a fine brush to remove the remains 100%. Then you can proceed to assemble it again.
- If it has been a while since you unscrewed the filter and when doing so you have been surprised by an unpleasant smell, you can leave it to soak for half an hour with hot water, a splash of soap and another splash of cleaning vinegar to disinfect it.
- The rotating arms of the dishwasher must also be dismantled and cleaned. Even if you think they are clean a priori, it is easy for the small holes along the blades to become clogged with food or grease debris and prevent water from circulating through them.
As clean outside as inside
Once we have the dishwasher clean inside, we are going to leave it like new on the outside as well. To start, you have to pay a little attention to the door seal, which usually goes unnoticed and accumulates a lot of dirt and mold. It can be cleaned with a cloth and for hard-to-reach corners, a small brush. To clean the front part, a soft cloth and a little delicate soap will also be enough, unless it is paneled with wood and we have to use a specific product for that type of material.
To avoid unpleasant surprises, find out what utensils you can put in the dishwasher. Although there are more and more pieces suitable for machine washing, not all of them are and wanting to save yourself a little more time and avoid washing pots or pans by hand can cost you a lot of trouble.
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