Your dishwasher, sink drain and garbage disposal do the major dirty work in your kitchen, and you can keep them smelling fresh and running efficiently with a few easy steps.
If there are spots or stuck-on grime on the dishes when they come out of the washer, or if the sink has an unpleasant odor even after you clean it and run the disposal, it means these hard-working appliances may need extra attention.
“Dishwashers and drains battle kitchen waste and activity daily, which can take a toll on the appearance and performance if not cleaned correctly,” said Chris Salatino with Kenmore Major Appliances.
DISHWASHERS
Electric dishwashers have a filtration system that requires regular cleaning, especially if you don’t scrape or pre-rinse dishes.
“The maintenance on a dishwasher depends on how you treat it,” says John DeSilvia, host of DIY Network’s Rescue My Renovation.
If you’re not a pre-rinser, he recommends cleaning the filter once a month. Just look at the bottom of your dishwasher, find and remove your filter, then scrub away debris with a soft brush. Rinse and reinstall.
“Don’t be scared, it’s really easy,” says DeSilvia.
If in doubt, check your owner’s manual on how to find and remove the filter. Can’t find the instructions? Log on to your manufacturer’s website. Or online tutorials at sites such as DIYNetwork.com and YouTube.com can help you through the process.
The interior of your dishwasher may also appear filmy at times. To get rid of that buildup, Salatino advises waiting until the washer has finished a cycle and cooled. Then make a paste with powdered detergent or use liquid detergent on a damp sponge to wipe away mineral deposits. Follow up by running a normal cycle.
If you’re in a hard water area and wiping with detergent doesn’t remove all the film, run a normal cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar in an upright glass on the lower rack. Salatino advises turning off the “heated dry” option during the cycle.
There also are commercial cleaners marketed especially for mineral buildup in dishwashers.
Consumer Reports recommends replacing worn or rusted dish racks, and using care when loading dishes and silverware so you don’t damage spray arms. Inspect the arms to make sure they aren’t clogged with debris, which could affect water pressure. Use pipe cleaners to dislodge blockages.
For cleaning the outside of your dishwasher, Salatino says all you need is a soft, damp cloth or sponge and mild detergent. If you’ve got a stainless steel cover, you’ll need a special cleanser.
SUPER SUDS
Phosphates, which help control water hardness, were eliminated from dishwater detergents a few years ago over pollution concerns. Since then, some consumers have complained that dishes don’t seem as clean.
Lucinda Ottusch, with Whirlpool’s Institute of Kitchen Science, says one mistake people make is buying cheap detergent. She says the all-in-one packets by name-brand companies really do help your dishwasher perform best.
She also recommends a rinse aid, which promotes drying by allowing the water to sheet off dishes.
Loading your dishwasher properly also can aid cleaning. Find tips at www.instituteofkitchenscience.com/kitchen-101/dishwashers
And, you don’t have to wait until the dishwasher is full to run a cycle. Ottusch says many newer models sense the size of a load and how dirty the dishes are, and work accordingly.
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