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Vinegar to Descale a Dishwasher: How It’s Done, and Why It Should Be Done Regularly
Your dishwasher works hard, day in and day out, tackling every crumb, grease spot, and sauce stain you throw at it. Over time, though, mineral deposits, grease, and buildup can affect its performance. If your dishes aren’t coming out as sparkling clean as they used to, or if there’s an unpleasant odor wafting out when you open the door, it’s probably time to descale your dishwasher.
The good news? You don’t need any fancy cleaners or harsh chemicals. A simple pantry staple-white vinegar-can do the trick! Here’s a step-by-step guide to safely and effectively descaling your dishwasher so that it performs like new.
Why It Is Important to Descale Your Dishwasher
To begin with, why should you descale your dishwasher at all? Here’s why it is important:
Better performance: The scaling over time will clog the spray arms and deteriorate your dishwasher’s performance; thus, the dishes come out partly unclean, particularly if one lives in areas where hard water prevails.
Long life: The regular descaling of this keeps all important parts of your machine working, which include filters and spray arms, running for many years.
Eliminating odors: Left-over food residues along with scaling create odors stale. A clean dishwasher contributes to dishes coming out fresher and smelling cleaner.
Streak-free dishes: A well-cleaned dishwasher means streak-free dishes, glasses, and cutlery every single time. In this case, now that you understand why, here is how to get this done.
How to Descale a Dishwasher with Vinegar in 5 Easy Steps
Reach for some white vinegar, take a clean, dry cloth, and about 20 minutes of your time-just about what it takes, and refresh that dishwasher.
1. Clear Your Dishwasher
Proceed by making sure that your dishwasher is empty of all dishes, utensils, and the utensil basket. These get in the way and could prevent vinegar from cleaning those ‘blind’ spots.
2. Remove & Clean the Filter
Most dishwashers have a filter at the bottom of the machine that can be removed. Gently pull it out-you can usually twist it-and rinse it under warm water. Use a soft toothbrush to scrub away any stubborn grime or food particles. A clean filter ensures water flows freely during the wash cycle.
Pro Tip: If your dishwasher filter hasn’t been cleaned in a while, soak it in soapy water for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
3. Check Spray Arms for Buildup
Look at the spray arms to make sure that anything is not blocking the nozzles. Use a toothpick or a bit of wire to dislodge any trapped food or buildup. Clear spray arms will allow water to spray evenly during every cycle.
4. Run Vinegar Through the Dishwasher
Place 1-2 cups of white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe bowl or container. Position the bowl, making sure it’s snug and secure on the top rack of the dishwasher. Never just pour the vinegar directly into the bottom of the dishwasher, as the acidity is most effective being retained in a contained, central position.
Acid in the vinegar will break down mineral buildup, grease, and general caked-on foods within your dishwasher, including spray arms, walls, and filters.
5. Run a Hot Wash Cycle
Place your dishwasher on the hottest water setting and run a wash cycle without detergent. The heat helps to activate the cleaning power of the vinegar so it can reach into every nook and cranny of the machine. Once the cycle is complete, open the door to let the dishwasher air out.
Optional Bonus Round: Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda at the bottom of your empty dishwasher and run a light cycle for that little extra freshness. It will neutralize odors and just give your appliance that extra glimmer of cleanliness.
Some Extra Tips for Preventing Build-Up
To keep your dishwasher running smoothly between descaling sessions, try these additional tips:
Also, rinse large food particles off of dishes before loading. You do not need to pre-wash, but scraping off big chunks will minimize buildup over time.
Clean the filter monthly. Even a quick rinse goes a long way to maintaining smooth performance.
Run hot water before starting the dishwasher cycle. This ensures that the machine begins with hot water right away for better cleaning.
How Often Should You Descale Your Dishwasher?
How often you descale your dishwasher depends on the water hardness and how much the appliance is used. On average:
Light usage, 1–2 times a week, every 3–4 months Moderate usage, 3–4 times a week, every 2–3 months Heavy usage, once a day: once a month, especially in those living areas where the water is hard.
If your glasses have suddenly gone cloudy, or there has been a particular smell in the dishwasher, the descaling is overdue.
Give Your Dishwasher Some Love
The simplest things to help restore your dishwasher’s performance and add some life to it would be to descale it with vinegar. It is very inexpensive, non-corrosive to your machine, and also eco-friendly.
Your dishwasher keeps working tirelessly in the background, making life easier-so take 20 minutes to treat it with TLC. Keep your maintenance regular and have spotless dishes with an always-fresh appliance for many years to come.