It may not be one of the key household appliances, but once you try it, you will hardly want to give it up. The dishwasher it saves time, effort and also energy and water, disinfects effectively and helps to keep the kitchen in order. So much work deserves a proper maintenancebecause as much as your task is to wash, the dishwasher also has to be cleaned.
We must assume that everything that is in the house will have to be cleaned at some point, and in terms of appliances and appliances, it is a crucial task if we want them to work correctly for avoid breakdowns and may they be with us for many years. If cleaning the fridge is important to maintain food safety without wasting energy, in the case of the dishwasher we want it to leave our dishes and cutlery spotless, disinfected and without damaging them.
It is also advisable to open the door of the same once the cycle has finished and let steam evaporates leftover and turn off the heat so that the dishes finish drying before emptying it. Some advanced models already open by themselves when finished. Yes we dry the remains of water that may remain, the better.
When to clean the dishwasher
The obvious answer of “when it’s dirty” doesn’t help us much in this case, as we will rarely see it with the naked eye. In fact, it is one of the reasons why its maintenance is often neglected, something that does not happen so much with the oven or the refrigerator itself. That is why it is worth setting a more or less fixed routine that we can even put on a calendar of family chores.
The more it is used, with greater load, greater dirt and harder water, the more often we will have to clean and check our appliance; once a month It is a good starting point. In any case, the first thing we should do is check the manufacturer’s instructionseither in the instruction manual, either on the brand’s website or by consulting customer service.
Balay 3VS572IP Freestanding Dishwasher, 13 place settings, A++, Chrome, Buttons, Rotary, 1.75 m
AEG FFB53900ZW AirDry 14 place settings dishwasher, LCD display, Automatic shut-off, 5 programs at 4 temperatures, Third cutlery tray, Inverter motor, 46 dBA, White, 60 cm
Use the dishwasher correctly
It is worth remembering that misuse is the first step for the device to break down or not work as it should. Again, check the instructions paying attention to all the instructions for use and maintenance, advice and any information that the manufacturer considers relevant.
Also remember that the dishes and other utensils to be washed should not be rinsed before putting them in, you just have to remove solid debris of food. If we rinse them, we can compromise the dirt sensors and the machine could, in the long run, stop performing well.
Correctly place each element in its place, do not overfill it, use suitable tablets or detergents and choosing the best program for each use are also issues to take into account when it comes to extending the life of our appliance. And try not to put objects that are not suitable, because if they break, they can also damage the machine.
Filter cleaning
It is the most important piece that we must clean periodically; once a month if we use it regularly, even if we skip cleaning the rest of the dishwasher if we’re in a hurry. The filter is located at the bottom, usually towards the center and under the blades, and its task is not very mysterious: it filters the water to collect dirt or impurities and possible solid elements. have to clean tube and grid from around.
Check in the instruction manual or by contacting the manufacturer how should it be extracted without damaging it, as some brands may require the use of a screwdriver, although they are usually removed simply by turning them counterclockwise. If there are any large solid debris or broken pieces of material, carefully remove them with your hands.
Depending on the level of dirt, using a brush under sink water will suffice; if it smells bad or has lime or mold, you can leave it to soak in a mixture of hot water, soap and a little baking soda. If it’s really dirty, you can use a manual steam cleaner.
KH-7 Grease Remover, Degreaser, Effortlessly removes grease and dirt from the kitchen, clothes or outside, For all types of Surfaces and Fabrics – Sprayer 650ml, 3 units
Comforday Handheld Steam Cleaner, Multi-Purpose Portable Steam Cleaner with 9 Attachments for Stain Removal, Carpet, Curtain, Car Seat, Kitchen, Floor, Bathroom
Cleaning of the blades
Although they look apparently clean, the usual thing is that accumulate fat and/or lime You can clean them carefully without removing them, although it will be easier to remove them and do it comfortably in the sink.
Use hot water, dishwashing soap or a specific product degreaser that is not abrasive, with a soft scourer, and rinse and dry them well before putting them back. If they have small holes, use a toothpick to clean them or use the manual steamer, whose pressure will access everywhere without problems.
trays and accessories
They do not usually get so dirty, but a periodic review is not bad, cleaning them by hand with degreasing detergent soap to remove the possible accumulation of grease or traces of lime.
Sometimes pieces of solid materials or food debris trapped in its nooks and crannies; It is not uncommon to find pieces of label paper and the like that went unnoticed at the time.
Sanitize internal ducts
To leave our perfect device in your ducts and internal parts inaccessible we will need to clean it every month or every two or three months, depending on the use we give it and the hardness of the water in our city. It is also recommended to do it after a long period of inactivity.
The easiest thing is to buy a specific cleaning product for this task, which we can even acquire from the specific manufacturer of our device. To use it you have to review its instructions; they are usually placed, open, inside the empty dishwasher and started with the indicated program.
If you prefer to clean it more often without using commercial products, you can start a cleaning cycle at 65º C or ecological mode from time to time with the appliance empty, inserting the detergent into the drawer. cleaning vinegarwith powdered citric acid if you also want to eliminate odours.
STARWAX FABULOUS White, Contains vinegar 9.5° acidity. 100% of the Ingredients Are of Natural Origin. Fragan, NC, 1 liter
Finish Machine Cleaner Liquid for dishwasher lemon fragrance – 1 unit
Somat Cleans Machines Dishwasher Additive (pack of 4, total: 1000 ml), cleans dishwashers for the inside of the machine, effective cleaner for dishwashers
how to clean it outside
This last aspect will not affect the operation so much, but it will affect the hygiene and aesthetic appearance that it leaves in our kitchen. It does not have much more mystery than applying the same procedure and products that we use in the rest of appliances of the kitchen, assuming that the front is made of stainless steel.
A type soft cloth microfiber and neutral soap or a specific product for stainless steel that is not abrasive will be more than enough to make the front of the handle shiny, drying them well.
ALCLEAR Professional Stainless Steel Cleaner 721ER 250ml and professional microfiber cloth, cleans stainless steel without scratches, against dirt, fingerprints and grease.
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