Put plastic and glasses in the top rack, and always keep silverware in the silverware compartment.
Even if you use your dishwasher every day, it still needs occasional cleaning to help it run properly. Your dishwasher is susceptible to build-up and residue from leftover food and minerals in your water. To help your dishwasher clean your dishes thoroughly, always load your dishwasher properly. Do not overcrowd your dishes; instead give them plenty of room for the water and detergent to reach them.
Scrub Out Residue
Food residue can stick to the inside of your dishwasher and cause it to clean your dishes less effectively. Mineral buildup can also become scaly and hardened. Use an old toothbrush and hot soapy water to scrub around the bottom of the door, crevices and hinges. Also scrub around the drain. Use the brush on the water sprayer to make sure that there are no mineral deposits blocking water from entering your dishwasher.3 Wipe out the bits of food that you brush from the sides and rinse out the dishwasher.
Vinegar
Heloise recommends that you pour a gallon of white vinegar into the bottom of your dishwasher. Allow the vinegar to work for an hour or longer and then run a complete dish washing cycle. The vinegar deodorizes and dissolves buildup in all areas of the dishwasher. If you clean your dishwasher regularly, you can place a cup full of vinegar in the top rack of your dishwasher and run a full cleaning cycle to perform a quicker cleaning.
Citric Acid
Citric acid helps to remove all sorts of buildup, particularly from hard water residue. You can find citric acid in grocery stores, near the canning supplies. Use a half a cup in the bottom of the empty dishwasher and then run a full cycle. If you cannot find citric acid, you can use a pouch of unsweetened lemonade mix. The mix contains citric acid and lemon juice concentrate and will work just as well as plain citric acid. Other flavors may stain the inside of your dishwasher.
Baking Soda
Sprinkle one cup of baking soda into the bottom of your dishwasher and run the machine through a short washing cycle. The baking soda freshens and brightens the interior of your dishwasher and scrubs gently to remove stains. It also works as a deodorizer, particularly if you have not cleaned your dishwasher before.
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