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Photo: Kevin McShane

Dishwashers save time by doing all the dirty work for you. The hassle of cleaning cutlery and crockery piece by piece until they’re spotless isn’t an issue anymore. But there comes a time when even the dishwasher needs a good wash. This is important, because without a good hose down every now and then, you might find the dishes aren’t coming out all sparkly and clean like they once were. So, just like everything else in your house, dishwasher care is needed too.

Cleaning

Get an old toothbrush and some warm soapy water, and really get into the thin crevices of the door. Scrub the edges well to get rid of the dirt. Next get a dishrag and start cleaning your dishwasher door till it’s nice and shiny again.

Now it’s time to get cleaning the inside section. Pull out the bottom tray and wash thoroughly with a soaked sponge. Next up is the drain area, where food and grime build up can be a problem. Wipe around the drain to make sure there’s nothing stuck there that can cause pump damage or scratch plates.

Photo: kevindooley

A good tip for cleaning your dishwasher further is to put a cup filled with white vinegar in the top tray. Then set the dishwasher on a full cycle with the hottest water it can muster up. The dishwasher should be empty except for the vinegar-filled cup. This will sanitise and get rid of all the grime in the tricky places. Baking soda is a good substitute if you don’t have any vinegar.

Keeping it clean

You should be cleaning your dishwasher at least once a month. This will prevent rust from accumulating and ensure the drain never gets blocked. The rinse-aid dispenser should also be refilled when you clean; this helps to avoid dirty spots on the dishes. Also, make sure you load dishes correctly. More often than not people overload their dishwashers. Allow adequate space between dishes so they can be washed thoroughly.

Products

Photo: billaday

There are a variety of products for dishwasher care. Electrolux dishwasher degreaser will remove food deposits and keep your Electrolux model smelling fresh. Rinse Aid will keep those knives and forks spotless, and makes the drying process easier. Indesit Limescale and Detergent Remover will get wid of limescale build-up, it hygenically cleans cutlery and is suitable for all dishwashers.

Keep things hygenic

Caring for your dishwasher stops the build up of dirt that eventually turns to bacteria. Dishwasher care is essential for a hygienic home. If you spend a little time on your dishwasher every month, your dishes will always be perfectly clean.