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


7 Tricks Hotels Use That Can Make Your Home Look and Work Better

Looking to breathe some life into your house? Maybe all you need is a vacation. A hotel stay is great for a lot of reasons - as a romantic getaway, an opportunity to see the world or explore new places, a break from work or kids - but taking a good look at your surroundings can also give you great ideas for refreshing your space when you get back home.

Making Your Home More Energy-Efficient

Your home is your place to rest, play, and spend time with your family. It should be a place of comfort, and this comfort need not come at a high cost. Many homes, however, waste a lot of energy in ways that can be prevented. Here are five ways to make your home more energy-efficient.

A Guide to Home Insulation Materials

Insulation is one of those building products that you never see, because it is usually covered up by something else. But if you don't have enough, or if it is installed incorrectly, you're wasting energy and paying more for heating and cooling than is necessary.

Electric Water Heater Troubleshooting Quickstart Guide

Technology advances are making electric water heaters more popular than ever. The electric water heater market, valued at $6 billion in 2015, will expand at an annual compound growth rate of 7.5 percent to reach $33.22 billion by 2024, Global Market Insights projects. Advances in energy saving, comfort control and display technology are driving demand. As more homes acquire electric water heaters, home owners will increasingly require specialized maintenance for these appliances. Here’s a quickstart guide to assist you when troubleshooting electric water heaters.

9 Places to Shop Online For Furniture and Home Furnishings

These days, there isn't much we don't shop for online. But if you have been hesitant to buy your furniture and other home items with a few clicks instead of being able to walk into a store and see them in person, it might be time to rethink that strategy. With so many great sites that offer easy delivery (and returns) and tons of reviews that can give you confidence in your purchase, furnishing or updating your home online is easier than ever. We have curated a few of our favorite sites.

10 DIY Peel-And-Stick Tiles To Quickly Take Your Backsplash From Meh To Magnificent

Adding a flashy backsplash is one of the best ways to help transform your kitchen, and, especially, to take the emphasis off of countertops that might need updating or cabinets in need of an overhaul. It could also inspire you to make those other needed changes. But the hassle of working with tile and stone and dealing with messy thinset and grout - or paying someone to do it for you - often wins out over going for it.

Essential Garage Equipment for Car Enthusiasts

What makes a car enthusiast? The vehicle you own says a lot about your passion for cars. About 12 percent of Americans are loyal to a particular vehicle brand, and vehicle brand loyal customers are four times more likely than other consumers to describe themselves as car enthusiasts, according to Scarborough. What you have in your garage also makes a statement about your love of cars. Here are some essential items every car enthusiast should have.

Is Your Home A Burglar Magnet?

The thought of a home break-in is terrifying, but are you doing everything you can to prevent one? You might be making critical mistakes that make your home a burglar magnet, or, at least failing to take advantage of easy fixes to make your home less attractive to thieves.

Choosing The Best Hardwood Floors For Your Home

The rich patina of wood floors adds beauty and elegance to any home.

New Windows Changed My House - and My Mind

It was exciting to contemplate city life after living in smaller towns. Apparently, everyone else thought so too, because by the time I decided I liked a house, it was gone from the market.

See More Articles