Here are cleaning tips on how to clean a dishwasher so you can enjoy your dishwasher and fresh dishes for as long as possible. Therefore, clean your dishwasher regularly. This way you prevent it from smelly or worse.
Smelly dishwasher
A lot of dirt ends up in a dishwasher. That is why it is important to learn how to clean a dishwasher regularly. This way you ensure that the dishes come out of the dishwasher fresh and clean. And you prevent the dishwasher from smelling or from more serious problems with the dishwasher .
If your dishwasher stinks, it can be tempting to jump right in with all kinds of refreshing remedies. First, find out where the stench comes from. Stench can be an apparently harmless expression of a bigger problem.
Run a full, hot dishwashing program
Greasy food or detergent residues can settle in the dishwasher. The interior space, water pipes and filters become greased as a result. This will stink and the dishes and machine will no longer be properly cleaned. Fatting occurs especially if you often run short programs or programs with a low temperature.
Prevent greasing by regularly running a program at a high temperature. This way the dishwasher rinses well. Some dishwashers do this automatically after so many wash cycles, or have a special cleaning program. It also makes a big difference if you wipe the greasy dishes before they go into the dishwasher.
Clean the filters
The dirty water is pumped out through the filters. The dirt remains in the filters. Often there is a coarse filter, a fine filter and sometimes a microfilter. Clogged filters can prevent the water from draining properly. Over time, an invisible greasy layer can form on the fine filter. Dirty filters can cause a bad smell or dirt can get back on the dishes.
Therefore, check the filter every time you wash. Clean the filters regularly. Unscrew the filters, pull them out, clean them under the tap and screw them back in place. Make sure that no dirt has entered the filter housing when removing the filters.
Clean the spray arms
Over time, the holes in the spray arms can become clogged by limescale or residues in the circulated water. If spray arms become clogged, they no longer distribute the water pressure properly. The dishes may not be cleaned properly or leakage may occur.
You can unscrew most spray arms. Remove them from the machine, rinse them under the tap and pierce the holes with, for example, a cocktail stick.
Dishwasher door
Dirt can easily accumulate in the edges of the dishwasher, on the edges and against the door seal. This will stink and the rubber can be affected, causing leakage. Therefore, wipe the door seal regularly with a damp cloth.
If a dishwasher has not been used for a long time, the cooking compartment can start to smell. Then open the door of the dishwasher a little. Do not leave dirty dishes in the dishwasher for too long. That is also going to stink.
Dishwasher cleaner
To support, degrease and refresh the machine, it doesn’t hurt to use a dishwasher cleaner every now and then. To do this, run an empty dishwasher with the machine cleaner according to the manual of the agent.
Fresheners and neutralizers
Have you addressed the above causes and is the dishwasher still not smelling fresh? Then a freshener or neutralizer can help. These special agents work against unpleasant smells in your dishwasher. A freshener gives off a very strong scent, usually lemon.
Nasty smells are thus disguised. A neutralizer should only neutralize the stench, but often also give off odors. The dishwasher is therefore not completely odorless. You can also see if it refreshes when you put half a lemon in the cutlery basket