Do you have a problem with having an unpleasant smell in your dishwasher? This is a sure sign that your dishwasher needs to be cleaned. To ensure years of service, appliances need regular cleaning and maintenance. All the more true for dishwashers as they remove food particles day in and day out. If your Alpharetta rental has this problem, find out how to keep your dishwasher clean and never let the smell come back again.
There are quite a number of things that contribute to your dishwasher smelling bad. But the most common causes are food particles and dirty water getting trapped in the drain hose, drain filter, spray arm, or other areas. Even worse, mold could be growing in your dishwasher if you fail to drain them completely after use. Because of this, your dishwasher may break down, and worse, you could be dealing with household members suffering from health issues.
To clean your dishwasher, the first zone in on the drain filter clogged drain filter is the number one cause of a smelly dishwasher. In most dishwashers, drain filters are located at the bottom rear of the tub. To clean it, first, pull it out then wash it with hot soapy water and a bottle brush. Next, check the drain and make sure it is clear.
Dishwashers with spray arms can get clogged and this is another source of the unpleasant odor. Now even if you’ve cleaned the filter but the problem persists, remove the spray arms and rinse them out. Use a toothpick to remove food particles stuck in the holes and run water through the arm to completely dislodge them.
Your dishwasher can get dirty with soap scum and grime just like drain filters and spray arms. That’s why you need to scrub the interior of your dishwasher which includes the racks, door gaskets with hot soapy water. Another great way to clean your dishwasher’s interior is to run separate empty cycles with vinegar and baking soda. These natural cleaners work very well.
For this method to work effectively, your dishwasher needs to run twice. You do not want the two cleaners mixed inside the dishwasher because they create a chemical reaction. For the first cycle, fill a bowl with white vinegar and put it on the top rack of the dishwasher then run it on a hot water cycle. The smell of vinegar may not be pleasant for you so you can add a few drops of essential oil like lavender, orange, or lemon. For the second cycle, first put a cup of baking soda at the bottom of the dishwasher, then run it. Once you complete these steps, your dishwasher should be free from any unwanted odors.
Now that the battle has been won, the last step should be prevention. As appliance experts would recommend, repeat the above process three or four times a year to keep your dishwasher in top shape. But you can take it a step further. Scraping and rinsing your dishes before loading them in the dishwasher can prevent food particles from becoming trapped in the first place. Also when using your dishwasher, avoid running other appliances that use hot water. The reason for this is that your dishwasher requires a constant supply of hot water to break down the soap and food particles to effectively clean the dishes.
Want to gain more knowledge on how to keep your rental house clean and odor-free? Visit our blog today, or if you’re in the market for a new Alpharetta rental home, take a look at our current listings.
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