How to Clean Your Dishwasher with Vinegar
A cleaning expert shares a step-by-step guide.
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By Layla Khoury-Hanold for Food Network Kitchen
Layla Khoury-Hanold is a contributor at Food Network.
If you want a sparkling-clean dishwasher, look no further than an all-purpose, inexpensive pantry staple: distilled white vinegar. For more info on using vinegar to clean your dishwasher and tips for keeping your dishwasher clean longer, we consulted Krista White, a cleaning expert and owner of Crisp Cleaning Services LLC.
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How to Clean Your Dishwasher with Vinegar
Gather your materials. You will need: a dishwasher safe container such as a mug or bowl; a small, soft cleaning brush; a sponge or microfiber cloth; and a bottle of distilled white vinegar.
Empty the dishwasher. Ensure that the dishwasher has been unloaded and is completely empty.
Prepare the vinegar. Pour distilled white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe container until it's 2/3 full. Place it upright on the top rack of the empty dishwasher, ensuring that it’s stable.
Run the dishwasher. Close the dishwasher door and run the dishwasher on a heavy and/or hot water cycle without the drying cycle.
Spot clean. Once the wash cycle is complete, open the dishwasher door and give the interior a once-over. If needed, use a small brush dipped in distilled white vinegar to give areas like the detergent dispenser and utensil caddy a quick scrub. Use a sponge or microfiber cloth dipped in vinegar to wipe down the door seal.
Dry. Allow the dishwasher to air dry with the door open or run the drying cycle.
Repeat as needed. Repeat whenever your dishwasher starts to look like it could use it, but not more than once a month.
Does Vinegar Kill Mold?
Yes, vinegar kills mold. Distilled white vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties, and it can kill up to 80 percent of mold varieties. Plus, its acid content breaks down lingering food, grease, soap scum, grime and other residues. That said, White advises using the vinegar treatment no more than once per month. “While vinegar is a great candidate for cutting grease and making your dishwasher sparkle, it is also highly acidic. This can cause erosion on rubber parts inside the dishwasher,” she says. If there is a large amount of mold, White suggests contacting a restoration professional or replacing your dishwasher.
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How to Keep Your Dishwasher Clean
Here are simple steps to keep your dishwasher clean and ensure top performance:
Pre-clean. Scrape excess food and rinse dishes before loading them in the dishwasher.
Don't overload. Avoid overloading the dishwasher to allow water to circulate properly
Check the filter. Clean the filter once a week (it’s located inside on the bottom of dishwasher).
Keep it dry. Wipe down the inside and outside of dishwasher door and seals.
Repeat often. Clean your dishwasher with vinegar once a month. You can even add a monthly calendar reminder so you don't forget!
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