Everyone loves their appliances! They cut down the time we spend on daily chores, so we can spend more quality time with our loved ones after a hard day’s work. The convenience of being able to pop our dirty dishes into the dishwasher after dinner instead of handwashing them is heaven sent! Who wants to wash all those pots and pans? Our dishes go through a lot of wear and tear every day! So, it’s not a surprise when after a few weeks you begin to notice all the crud that accumulates at the bottom of the dishwasher. Dishwashers are simple to revive and care for, so today Texas Appliance Repair Service compiled a list of dishwasher hacks that will help you to keep your favorite appliance sparkly clean!
Cleaning Dishwasher with White Vinegar & Baking Soda
Want a non-toxic way, simple way to disinfect and deodorize your dishwasher? Look no further! Simply fill up a cup with white vinegar, place it on the top rack, then sprinkle the bottom of your dishwasher with about ½ cup of baking soda (more for tougher jobs) and run it through a short cycle on the hottest setting possible. You will be shocked at the results and you’ll have a sparkly clean dishwasher!
How to Clean Dishwasher Filter
This is a rubber trap in the bottom of your dishwasher at the drain. This trap keeps the drain unclogged and functioning. If your dishwasher is draining slowly or retaining water at the bottom, your trap needs to be cleaned! Simply open the dishwasher and remove the bottom wash basket. Then remove any large food particles that may be lingering at the bottom. Locate your drain trap at the bottom of the dishwasher by the drain, it looks like a grate. Then lift the edge of the trap up. (The trap snaps into place so this may take some muscle.) Next, look for the locking snap on the underside of the spray arm and release it, most are at the center of the dishwasher. The snap is usually on the side of the spray arm shaft. Then simply pull the spray arm straight up and it should dislocate. Remove the trap from the middle of the dishwasher by pulling it straight up. Then clean the trap in some warm soapy water and use a toothbrush to get the gunk off. After the filter is cleaned, put it back into the dishwasher, be sure to press firmly at the corners until it locks into place. If your dishwasher has a spray arm, replace the arm and press it onto the shaft until you hear and feel a snap! Then voila! You’re back in business!
Other Diswasher Detergent & Cleaning Hacks
DIY dishwasher tabs– Move over expensive dishwasher pods! You can make your own wash tabs using only baking soda, citric acid and dish detergent!
Mesh Laundry bags– These handy dandy tools are multipurpose and have so many uses! Put one to work in your dishwasher by placing Tupperware lids or other small items that fall through the grates inside to prevent them from moving during the wash cycle!
Secure fragile glassware with rubber bands– No more broken wine glasses! Simply use a rubber band and stretch it around the lines to secure your wine glasses in place to prevent them from falling over!
Remove tough stains with Lemon Kool-Aid– Hard water and other stains can be a real pain to remove and they look unattractive. Lemonade is rich in citric acid; citric acid is a powerhouse for removing stains. Simply put the lemon Kool-Aid into your dishwasher dispenser where you would put your soap, run it through a short cycle and voila! You can kiss those stains goodbye!
Disinfect toys and cleaning items– Yes! Dustpans, dishwasher sponges, handheld brooms, even children’s toys can be disinfected in the dishwasher! Simply put them on the top shelf and run them through a cycle, they will be completely disinfected from the hot water and sparkling clean!
Dishwasher Appliance Repair & More in WESTLAKE, RIVER PLACE, LAKEWAY, TARRYTOWN, ROLLINGWOOD, CEDAR PARK, AUSTIN, ROUND ROCK, GEORGETOWN, FRISCO, ALLEN, PLANO & DALLAS, TEXAS
A lot of maintenance can be done on your appliances with no fuss by you. But leave dishwasher repairs and more complicated jobs to the pros. Call us if your appliances need repairs!