Run the dishwasher with a hot water cycle with vinegar Set up the dishwasher to work with a hot water cycle. The vinegar will break down any leftover food, grease, soap scum, residue, and any other leftover grime. Pour at least one cup of distilled white vinegar or three-quarters of a cup of cleaning vinegar into a dishwasher-safe container. Place the container on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Using a little more than up to two cups if the dishwasher has never been cleaned is perfectly fine. White vinegar is typically touted as a magical cleaning aid and a natural odor neutralizer, but it can wreak havoc on the dishwasher. To clean the dishwasher door and gasket, you can use a mixture of hot water and vinegar (three cups of water mixed with ½ cup of vinegar). Using a toothbrush or other soft brush, clean around the cracks in the door and joint.
The reasons for cleaning the dishwasher are much like those of the washing machine, since soap residues and deposits on interior walls and components can make them dirty and lose effectiveness over time. While there are dozens of types of vinegar, distilled white vinegar or cleaning vinegar are the best for cleaning. Baking soda is another popular cleaning ingredient and can be used in place of white vinegar to clean the dishwasher. If you've never cleaned the dishwasher or it's been a long time, cleaning the vinegar (which is more expensive) will remove the build-up more easily.
A clean dishwasher means a happy and healthy home, but a reliable dishwasher is also critical to ensuring that dishes are well cleaned. Stainless steel exterior can be cleaned with ordinary soft cloths or with cloths designed to clean stainless steel appliances. If you don't want to clean the dishwasher with vinegar, there are other ways to clean more parts of the dishwasher. Before cleaning the dishwasher with vinegar or other ingredients, be sure to read the dishwasher manufacturer's cleaning instructions so you don't use any chemicals that could damage it.
These options are useful because it's best to use non-toxic cleaning products when cleaning anything that might come into contact with food. You may not need to clean the dishwasher every month, but you certainly shouldn't go more than six months without cleaning the unit.
