Without a dishwasher, it's like without hands. Now women can manage the time that used to be spent on washing by hand and wiping the kitchen utensils dry in a different way. Many housewives can no longer imagine their lives without a dishwasher. It is enough just to load the plates and cutlery, start the appliances in one mode or another and after 20-30 minutes get out the spotlessly clean and sparkling dishes.
But in order for the dishwasher to serve faithfully for many years, it is necessary to take care of it regularly. Let's talk about how to clean the dishwasher and how to choose the best detergent.
Why do kitchen appliances require special care?
If on the outside, putting things in order does not raise questions, then cleaning the internal elements can be confusing. It's not hard to guess why food residue, limescale and grease must be removed:
- Firstly, it is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and bad smell.
- Second, regular cleaningextend the life of kitchen appliances.
But for those who are faced with this procedure for the first time, it may seem that it is easier to unload a coal car than to clean a dishwasher. In fact, everything is not so difficult if you know the basic rules of preventive care for her. Next, a whole range of procedures will be presented, after which you can declare the ideal cleanliness of the dishwasher.
How to clean inside, where to start?
To begin with, you should pay attention to the general points regarding the regular care of the kitchen "assistant":
- After the next operation, the dishwasher must be left open. This is necessary to weather the remaining moisture, which is the optimal breeding ground for bacteria.
- Internal compartments and baskets require the most careful care. Wipe them dry after each wash.
- Cleaning the baskets by hand is the only effective way to remove dirt, as opposed to a regular program rinse.
- Before placing dishes in the machine, carefully collect all food residues.
- In the process of cleaning the dishwasher, you need to try to get into everything, even hard-to-reach places. You cannot fully rely on detergents - they are not always effective.
- Don't skimp on your dishwasher tablets and liquids. How to clean the device without special tools? It's almost impossible if you wantget rid of grease and dirt. Although there is one good tool, but about it a little later.
- Pay attention to the rubber seals placed on the doors. This area collects a lot of dirt.
- It is important to remove the fat layer in time. It heats up and forms a film that, with prolonged exposure, can even eat into metal surfaces.
What should you always do?
As a rule, the dishwasher is operated day in and day out. After each cycle of use, internal products must be rinsed from food waste. You should not spare time for this procedure: it is important to carefully go through all areas, process all holes and recesses. Note to housewives: most often the sprinkler is clogged with food. If, after looking into the car after washing, you find particles of waste on it, do not put it off indefinitely, immediately eliminate them. Before cleaning the dishwasher at home, in particular the sprinkler, be sure to unplug the appliance from the mains. For convenience, use tweezers or long tongs - they make it much easier to remove leftover food.
Having started general cleaning at home, you will also have to clean the dishwasher. How to do this qualitatively, the step-by-step instructions below will tell you. By following the recommendations, you can tidy up your indispensable assistant in the kitchen in half an hour.
Washing the strainer
This part should be washed periodically, but at least once everyweek. The filter constantly accumulates grease, plaque and dirt. Debris clogs small holes, which leads to an unpleasant smell from the machine, and after a while this can cause a leak. First you need to carefully remove the lower basket and disassemble it - this is the only way to remove the filter. It is enough to wash the part under the pressure of water with an ordinary dishwashing detergent. After wiping with a dry towel, install back.
Cleaning the blades
The next stage is the processing of the blades or, as they are also called, rocker arms. Clean parts as they get dirty. Most often, these parts are clogged with scale. It is especially important to clean all the small holes on them - it is more convenient to use a toothpick. After installing the blades in place, check if they work properly - the rocker arms should rotate freely.
Processing seals
It is not necessary to manipulate the rubber pads frequently. A regular visual inspection and cleaning once every six months is sufficient. In the instructions for dishwashers, sometimes there are manufacturer's recommendations on choosing the right product. They share tips on processing the door seal and the hostess. According to reviews, it is convenient for many to do this with an old toothbrush - it easily penetrates into the space between the pads. But the recommendations for the use of citric acid are not necessary. The fact is that this substance negatively affects rubber. Under the influence of aggressive acid, the material loses its elasticity andtightness.
What else needs to be cleaned up?
Plastic baskets are easily cleaned with dishwashing detergent, but many people forget about the need to wash the so-called "dead zone". It is located at the bottom of the car, in the door. Despite the fact that water does not enter there, dirt and various deposits accumulate in just a few uses.
Which products are suitable for washing dishwashers?
Regardless of the dimensions (45 or 60 cm), dishwashers have almost the same device. Once you have finished cleaning hard-to-reach surfaces, you can move on to removing grease, rust and mold.
At this stage, it is important not to make a mistake with the dishwasher cleaning liquid. So, in order to get rid of a particular pollution, you should choose the right tool:
- Mold. To remove it, you need to use bleach. The exception is the presence of stainless steel parts in the machine. Any chlorine-containing compounds may be hazardous to this metal. Leave the car door open after washing to prevent fungi.
- Rust. Eliminating corrosion is not easy. But even if you manage to find a suitable remedy, this will not give any guarantee that rust will not appear again. The first signs of corrosion processes: swelling of the top layer of paint and peeling. Installing a dishwasher water filter will help prevent rust.
- Scum. SimplestThe way to get rid of hard limescale is to buy Finish tablets. The tool can be used both in the presence of existing scale, and for preventive purposes. Cheaper analogues of Finish tablets are Somat, Topper and a product from the Amway line.
Handmade Cleaner
According to reviews, many users recommend using citric acid to clean the dishwasher at home. As already noted, this component can harm the condition of rubber seals. A relatively safe alternative would be a solution of soda and vinegar. You can cook it yourself as follows:
- In a ratio of 1:13, take table 5% vinegar and boiled water. That is, for 1 tablespoon of essence, use 13 tbsp. l. water.
- Next you need to add baking soda - approximately 50-60 grams.
- The composition is thoroughly mixed, the soda should “hiss” a little.
- Then the glass with the resulting liquid is sent to the dishwasher 60 cm or 45 cm - it doesn't matter.
- The "assistant" is launched in the usual program, but without dishes and cutlery.
- At the end of the operation of the unit, wipe the inner chamber with a clean cloth. After the procedure, no contamination should remain.
The regularity of such cleaning is not necessary. It is enough to carry out the procedure once every 2-3 months. And in order to minimize stone deposits, use s alt - it affectson the chemical composition of the water, making it softer.
At first glance, it may seem that there is not the slightest need for special care for kitchen appliances. Dishwashers of all brands and models look clean and fresh for a long time. But during daily operation, all working parts become contaminated with food waste, sediment from hard water and detergents, scale and grease build up, which subsequently leads to breakdowns and inefficient operation of equipment. At a minimum, using "Finish" to clean the dishwasher will increase its service life.
The appearance of an unpleasant smell when the door is open serves as a signal of the failure of the main "assistant" in the kitchen. Don't wait for the unfortunate consequences, get your dishwasher cleaned as soon as possible.
