A dirty dishwasher can lead to a myriad of problems, including unpleasant odors, water spots on dishes, and subpar cleaning performance.
But don’t worry – cleaning the dishwasher is quite straightforward once you understand the steps involved.
Importance of Cleaning the Dish Washer Machine
Regular maintenance is crucial for all home appliances and the dishwasher is no exception.
You might think a dirty dishwasher is harmless but it can lead to various issues from unpleasant odors to poor performance and excessive energy usage.
It can also cause water spots on your glasses and residue on your plates due to accumulated food debris, soap scum, and grease.
Identifying Signs of a Dirty Dishwasher
Recognizing when your dishwasher needs cleaning can be tricky if you don’t know what signs to look for.
Unpleasant Odors
If you notice an unusual odor coming from your dishwasher, chances are, it’s time for a cleaning.
The smell is usually due to a build-up of food particles or grease, which can also affect the dishwasher’s performance over time.
Detecting Soap Scum Build-Up
Soap scum buildup is another common problem that plagues dishwashers. It occurs when hard water minerals mix with dishwasher detergent – the result? An unsightly cloudy layer inside your machine as well as on your dishes.
It’s not just a matter of aesthetics either; it can also hamper the dishwasher’s functionality.
Poor Drainage
The drainage system plays a crucial role in keeping dishwashers clean by flushing out dirty water after each cleaning cycle.
Over time, however, bits of food may get trapped, causing blockages and clogs.
The easiest way to prevent that is by checking the area regularly. Remember, vigilance goes a long way when it comes to keeping your dishwasher clean.
Preparing Your Dishwasher for Cleaning
Before you clean your dishwasher, you want to make sure that it’s empty. Lingering items such as racks and plates can obstruct the cleaning process and prevent a thorough cleanse.
There’s also the dishwasher filter, which is responsible for catching large food particles before they clog up the drain, which helps ensure smooth operation during each cycle.
Ideally, you want to take it out and clean it separately. While most filters are located at the bottom of the machine, different dishwasher models may have them at different locations.
Keeping Your Dishwasher Clean With ACTIVE
To begin, you just need two things – an empty dishwasher and an ACTIVE dishwasher cleaning tablet. The tablets are specifically formulated to penetrate hard-to-reach areas during each wash cycle, effectively breaking down the buildup inside the dishwasher.
Just place the tablet in the main detergent tray and run a wash cycle.
For the best results, use a hot water cycle, or if available, the ‘sanitize’ or ‘heavy duty’ cycles, both of which use higher temperatures. The heat will boost the efficiency of the cleaning ingredients, leading to more efficient cleaning.
You’ll notice immediate results once you open the dishwasher door after the cycle is finished.
Not only will the grime be gone but any previous odor will also have disappeared thanks to the thorough cleansing properties of ACTIVE Dishwasher Cleaner.
Cleaning the Exterior of the Dishwasher
The exterior of the dishwasher is just as important as the interior. Take the door and control panel, for example, they can both accumulate grime over time, which may affect the appliance’s performance.
One way to keep these areas clean is by using a dish soap solution. It will cut through the grease without damaging your dishwasher’s finish.
Why Choose ACTIVE Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets?
ACTIVE Dishwasher Cleaner tablets are specially formulated to deep clean all parts of your dishwasher. They excel at removing stubborn soap scum from the interior walls, door, and even hard-to-reach areas like the filter and drain system.
Not only will they leave the inside sparkly clean but they will also eliminate odors by eliminating food residue and leaving a fresh scent.
In doing so, you won’t have to worry about dealing with any potential blockages, which can significantly affect the dishwasher’s performance. They’re also septic-safe.
Using Dishwasher Cleaners – Common Questions
Keeping your dishwasher in tip-top shape is essential for its longevity and performance. Here are some commonly asked questions and their answers.
How Often Should I Clean My Dishwasher?
You should deep clean your dishwasher twice a month using ACTIVE Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets.
As discussed earlier, you want to start by emptying the machine, as well as the filter.
Generally speaking, two cleanings per month with ACTIVE should be plenty for the average home. Having said that, heavily soiled machines may require more frequent cleaning or extra cleaning cycles.
How Does Hard Water Affect My Dishwasher?
Hard water contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can build up over time and cause problems.
For example, it can lead to deposit buildup on the interior surfaces and components. This includes areas such as the dishwasher drain, filter system, and the stainless steel parts within the machine.
These deposits can impede its performance by clogging up the jets or by affecting how well your dish soap cleans dishes.
Not only that but the mineral deposits can also cause unsightly stains inside your empty dishwasher, which may be difficult to remove later on.
Can a bad garbage disposal affect the dishwasher?
Yes – the garbage disposal and dishwasher share the same piping. If the former is clogged, it can lead to issues with the dishwasher.
We recommend using ACTIVE Garbage Disposal Cleaner tablets to keep your disposal unit clean and clog-free.
Cleaning Solutions For All Appliances From ACTIVE
Looking for something to clean your other appliances?
ACTIVE offers quality cleaning products that are specifically designed for various household appliances including washing machines, garbage disposals, coffee machines, and more.
Be sure to take a look at what we have to offer!
erin stafford –
Our dishwasher slowly stopped cleaning as well as it used to. Glasses were cloudy, plates sometimes had small bits left on them and there was a stale odor. I thought the pump was going out but decided to clean the machine first. The next load came out much cleaner and the odor was completely gone.
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CO –
Good to use between deep cleanings.
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qiao lin –
You get lots of tablets & they work perfectly!
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Ace –
This month, we moved into a rental house and found the dishwasher dirty, even with a new filter and screen. After using two talets as suggested one in the door and one at the bottom it became spotless and smelled great. The claims a year’s supply, and I’m pleased with the quick shipping and packaging.
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Thomas K –
De-stunk my machine
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patti s –
Smells fresh inside now.
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jana –
I cleaned the filter first and then ran one tablet. The inside looked shiny and smelled clean afterward.
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galen r. –
I have never had a dishwasher cleaner do this before. I put the tablet in exactly like I was supposed to and ran an empty cleaning cycle but about halfway through I walked into the kitchen and noticed water underneath the dishwasher. When I opened it there was a ridiculous amount of foam inside, way more than I would expect from any product meant to go in a dishwasher. I cleaned everything up and let the foam settle and then had to run rinse cycles just to get the remaining suds out. The worst part is the inside did not even look much cleaner afterward. There was still white buildup around the heating area and grime near the filter. Maybe my machine just reacted badly to it but I’m not risking another tablet after spending an evening cleaning foam off my kitchen floor.
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Marvin –
Our glasses had started coming out a little cloudy. After cleaning the dishwasher they looked clearer again!!
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Herrera –
My new dishwasher works well after one cycle, leaving everything clean. I’ll check the filter next and update my review afterward.
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