FoodRevitalize your dishwasher: Clean with vinegar for best results

Revitalize your dishwasher: Clean with vinegar for best results

Is your dishwasher no longer working as it should? Are there unpleasant smells, and do your dishes no longer shine as they used to? It's time for a quick and effective refresh. All you need is the right amount of vinegar to restore your dishwasher to total efficiency and freshness.

Dishwasher - how to clean it effectively without expensive products?
Dishwasher - how to clean it effectively without expensive products?
Images source: © Adobe Stock

2:19 PM EDT, September 8, 2024

The dishwasher is one of the most valuable appliances in the kitchen, saving time and energy. However, food residues, grease, and limescale can accumulate over time, causing it to lose efficiency. Unpleasant odors, cloudy dishes, and clogged filters are just some of the problems you may encounter. Fortunately, there is a simple way to refresh and thoroughly clean the dishwasher – just one cup of vinegar. Vinegar, known for its cleaning and disinfecting properties, is perfect as a dishwasher cleaning agent.

How to clean a dishwasher with vinegar

Vinegar is a versatile product found in almost every kitchen. Its natural cleaning and disinfecting properties make it an ideal agent for refreshing and disinfecting the dishwasher. Here’s how to easily clean your dishwasher with vinegar. Prepare 8.5 fluid ounces of this product.

Preparation and cleaning:

  1. Start by emptying the dishwasher of all dishes and cutlery. Ensure the filter is clean – if necessary, remove it and wash it under running water to remove any food residues and debris.
  2. Pour 1 cup of vinegar into a bowl or cup that is dishwasher safe. Place the container on the top rack of the dishwasher. During the wash, the vinegar will disperse throughout the appliance's interior, effectively removing limescale, grease, and unpleasant odors.
  3. Select the longest washing cycle with hot water (preferably 140 degrees Fahrenheit or more). Make sure the program is without drying to avoid intense vinegar evaporation.
  4. Let the dishwasher go through the entire washing cycle. The vinegar will dissolve deposits, remove grease, and disinfect the dishwasher interior.
  5. After the cycle is complete, you can perform additional cleaning by sprinkling 1 cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and running a short wash cycle. The baking soda will help remove any remaining vinegar and refresh the dishwasher.

why use vinegar to clean the dishwasher

Vinegar is a natural cleaner with many advantages:

                  
  • Removes limescale and deposits: Thanks to acetic acid, vinegar effectively dissolves limescale, hard water deposits, and grease that can accumulate in the dishwasher.
  • Refreshes and removes odors: Vinegar neutralizes unpleasant odors, leaving the dishwasher fresh and ready to use.
  • Disinfects: Vinegar has natural antibacterial properties that help fight bacteria and mold that can develop in the moist environment of the dishwasher.
  • Eco-friendly and safe: Vinegar is a natural substance that contains no chemicals or toxins, making it safe for the environment and household members.

To keep your dishwasher in good condition, it’s recommended to perform such cleaning every month or every two months, depending on usage frequency. It's also worth remembering that although vinegar is effective in cleaning, it can damage some metal parts, such as stainless steel. Therefore, avoid direct contact of vinegar with the metal parts of the dishwasher.

Vinegar is a versatile, natural cleaner that works excellently for refreshing and disinfecting the dishwasher. Adding one cup of vinegar to your dishwasher can significantly improve its performance, remove deposits and unpleasant odors, and extend the appliance's lifespan. This is a simple way to keep your dishwasher in perfect condition, easily done at home.

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