Quick Tip: Give your Dishwasher a regular clean
Many use a dishwasher on a daily basis, but it is also important to sanitize a dishwasher regularly to ensure it is hygienic.
15/07/2019
Like so many other kitchen utensils and appliances in the kitchen, we tend to overlook the fact that a dishwasher should be sanitized regularly. While you may think that running the dishwasher on a regular basis will keep a dishwasher fresh, over time soapy residue and mineral deposits tend to build up can cause food and grease to collect, making them less effective and prone to becoming smelly.
Like your washing machine, a dishwasher is intended to clean household items, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't require a thorough clean on a regular basis. Using two ingredients that you should already have in your home - white spirit vinegar and bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) - cleaning and sanitizing a dishwasher is a task that should be done on a regular basis.
Easy way to sanitize a dishwasher
There is a very easy way to sanitize and clean out a dishwasher, and it won't take more than the time it takes to switch on the machine!
All you need to do is to fill a dishwasher-safe cup or bowl with white spirit vinegar. Place this on the top rack and a cup or bowl of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) on the bottom rack, and run the dishwasher on a hot cycle.
If you do this once a month, the vinegar and bicarb will loosen stubborn soap scum and flush away food particles and grease that build up in the system. They will also sanitize the inside of the dishwasher, cleaning any deposits or stubborn grease from the washing cavity and racks and getting rid of any musty odours.
Good habits to keep in mind
• Sanitize your dishwasher on a monthly basis by adding a cup of white spirit vinegar and bicarb on a hot cycle to keep the pipes clean and free from build-up.
• Even rinsing the plates before washing won't remove everything. Always wipe the bottom of the dishwasher to remove any remaining food particles left behind after a wash.
• Use a soft cloth to wipe dry the inner walls of your dishwasher, especially if you don't use the dishwasher on a daily basis. When you use a dishwasher only once or twice a week, this will help to reduce bad odours.
