What is the best way to clean out a dishwasher?

Question

I use it as a dish tray sometimes and I think the water draining from the dishes has caused some build up. Does anyone know the best way to take care of this problem? I was thinking maybe bleach but not sure if that will damage it.

Answer 1

Here is a site with some great tips for cleaning your dishwasher.

Answer 2

in my experience i clean the catch holes down in the bottom first remove all old food particals and stuff from down there sometimes even broken glass is down there clean it all out very well then put a half cup of pine soil and 2 tea spoons of lemon juice in the dishwasher and run a empty load, not only does it cleans it good it refreshes it also with that pine lemony smell,. do this twice a month,.

Answer 3

I run my dishwasher with a cup of vinegar in the bottom and fill the soap dispenser with baking soda. It removes soap scum, hard water deposits, cleans the racks and leaves the dishwasher clean. I think it will work best to remove any water scale from your dishes.

Answer 4

I use Jet Dry Dishwasher Cleaner, sold just about anywhere. I also run a little vinegar in every load with my pre-wash and my soap to keep the smell and buildup down.

Answer 5

I have heard many people on here recommend Tang Orange drink. You run an empty load with a packet of Tang in where the detergent goes. I haven't personally tried it. I usually run an empty load with vinegar where the detergent goes.

Answer 6

I use bleach and run an empty load once a month or so and it does great. But you should check the manual to be safe.

Answer 7

Run a packet of Kool-Aid Lemonade through it... it costs about 15 cents and works great!

Answer 8

use white vinegar it will eat the hard water deposit in the little holes that can stop up

Answer 9

i would run some CLR though it and run the cycle it should clear up any build up.