It’s not often that we think of cleaning things that always appear to be clean and whose very purpose is to make other things clean. Take your trusty dishwasher, for example. It’s filled with soap and hot water on a fairly regular basis. Doesn’t that alone clean and keep it clean?
In short, no. You see, dishwashers – much like washing machines – can accumulate mineral deposits and soap scum build-up over time. And while your dishes appear to be sparkling clean and free of residue, without routine cleaning your dishwasher can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
The good news is that if you do happen to find mold and mildew in your dishwasher, you can easily remove it and, with regular maintenance, keep it from resurfacing.
You will need dish soap, white vinegar, baking soda, a sponge, and an old toothbrush.
- Remove the racks and utensil tray from your dishwasher and wash in the sink with dish soap and warm water. Place them on clean towels to dry.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, pour a half a cup of white vinegar to 2 cups of hot water. Using a sponge, wash the inside of the dishwasher with the water and vinegar solution. Don’t forget the detergent compartments, spray arms, and door seals. Use a toothbrush to get into those hard to reach nooks and crannies.
- Replace the racks and trays and fill a small bowl with white vinegar, about 1 to 2 cups worth. Place the bowl on the top rack of the dishwasher and run a regular wash cycle with hot water.
- Sprinkle about a cup of baking soda on the floor and inside door of your dishwasher and run another wash cycle on hot.
Routinely running a vinegar-only wash will clean your dishwasher; plus, keeping the inside dry between uses will help prevent future mold growth.
If you have bigger mold problems on your hand, the kind that home remedies won’t work on, contact Messmer Mechanical today. Our expert plumbers can help rid your house of mold and
all the damage to your health and home it can cause.
(812) 482-6766
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