Odourless dishwasher

Crisp_£_note

Hi

I am cleaning out my dishwasher as we have decided to stop using it for a while to try and reduce bills.

It's all nice and clean and dry but how do I stop any potential bad odours building as its standing?

We need to keep the door shut tight during the day as its in the way of the worktop, but open it slightly at night to allow it to 'air' to stop any mould.

We have saked up any excess water in the drain inside the dishwasher (can't access the pipes).

Is there anything we can put in the dishwasher to keep it smelling fresh and ready to use in future? I dont think one of those lemon fresh things would work as it needs the dishwasher to run to activate it. Obviously a bag of lavender wont help much either.

Thanks for any advice.

Trow

http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/211/1/Dishwashers-vs-hand-washing.html

It might not actually save you any money, as long as you wash a full load each time.

Crisp_£_note

Hi thanks for that but its not just the running costs we are saving on its the detergent etc as budget has become very tight again.

Browntoa

theres normally a pool of water that remains in the bottom of the dishwasher where the water drains out and in the salt dispenser, not sure what the effect is of emptying them out completely ( rubber hoses persishing etc and damage to the slat unit itself ??)

Trow

http://www.ehow.com/list_6103136_automatic-dishwasher-soap-alternatives.html

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/02/02dec09b.cfm

It is possible to try making your own - I haven't tried it so can't recommend it though.

I know this isn't what you were asking for, but it might be worth considering all alternatives..

Edited to add a different recipe - read her notes, she no longer uses the borax http://www.towards-sustainability.com/2007/03/homemade-dishwasher-powder-and.html

zippychick

Do you think a little pot of bicarb might help? I have yankee candles, and what ever they are in, it smells of it but im not sure if you would want your DW to smell of yankee candles :rotfl:

these threads may help

Dishwasher water/smells - I'll merge this later

how to clean a dishwasher

Dishwasher powder OS

Dishwasher tablets - how much do you use

Dishwasher versus washing up

Dishwasher , luxury or necessity ?

Zip

Fruball

The extra hot water you will need, will probably not make it worth your while not using the DW and you will need to buy washing up liq anyway and sponges, more washing of teatowels for drying.

I buy the cheapest DW powder i can find and just use about a tsp unless its a really dirty wash. Everything gets rinsed as soon as it is used so its only really when i do a roast that I use a bit more.

Also, I do all my DW washes on quick wash

Primrose

How about one of those dangalooly air freshener cards which you can hang in your car to keep it smelling fresh?