Almost everyone believes that dishwashers are appliances that do not require internal cleaning, as they are constantly in contact with soap and water. However, this is a serious mistake that will not only cause bad odours, but also considerably reduce their useful life. Food scraps, soap, limescale and other residues accumulate inside the dishwasher, which, over time and due to the humidity inside, generate very unpleasant odours, as well as clogging the pipes, worsening the cleaning of utensils and causing serious malfunctions.
Therefore, deep cleaning at least once a month (although this depends on how often the dishwasher is used, and it can be done more frequently) will remove all residues and disinfect the interior so that it works properly.
1. Products are not enough
There are many products for cleaning the inside of the dishwasher, but they are not enough for proper cleaning, since all the residue that we cannot see, but which gradually solidifies inside (causing odours and malfunctions), can only be removed by scrubbing.
Therefore, although they are good alternatives for everyday use, dishwasher cleaning products cannot replace manual cleaning, as this is the only way to ensure that your dishwasher is in the best possible condition.
2. Remove all elements
Therefore, the first thing we must do is remove all the elements that our dishwasher allows us to, especially the filter (the part shown in the image), as it is one of the parts where the most residue can accumulate inside.
In addition to removing the filter, we will also remove the blades and baskets (as well as the rubber seals, if any), so that we can clean these parts with a sponge in the sink: with the help of the sponge and washing-up liquid, we will clean each part one by one, removing all encrusted residue.
If we cannot reach all corners, it is best to combine the sponge with a small brush, which can reach the spots that the sponge cannot.
After cleaning these elements, let them dry while continuing to clean the inside of the appliance.
3. Use the sponge again
Using the same sponge we used to clean the parts we removed from the dishwasher in the sink, we will now clean the inside. With dish soap and a little patience, we will go over all the surfaces and holes, paying special attention to areas where we see residue that could be causing bad odours.
With a cloth dampened with water, we will remove any excess product that may have remained after cleaning and clean again with the sponge if we consider that it is still not sufficiently clean and free of residue.
4. Salt and rinse aid
Finally, we will put everything back in its place and add dishwasher salt and rinse aid, then run a short cycle (without adding any utensils).
When the wash cycle is complete, the dishwasher will be completely clean and in excellent condition to continue working as it should.
