how to clean a dishwasher

moj1966

does anyone know of a cheap way to give my dishwasher a good clean normally buy the dishwasher cleaner at approx £4.00 but looking for a cheaper option.

thanks

thriftmonster

All I can say is don't use Stardrops - I was met by a wall of foam advancing across the kitchen!!!!!!!!!

annie-c

I do the following:

Take out the filter and scrub it down - then repplace

Take off the arms and rinse under the tap. If any of the holes are blocked, remove the stuff with a pin - then replace.

Put a scoop of bicarbonate of soda in the filter and pour 1/2 cup white vinegar over. Leave 10 mins then drain.

Put another scoop bicarb and 1/2 cup vinegar in bottom and run through a short cycle.

Always does the trick for me.

Annie xx

hex2

Aldi sell a more reasonably priced (?£3 per pair) two pack that works as well as the finish one.

Dotmatic

I recently had a problem with my dishwasher and was advised not to use vinegar but to use a propriertary cleaning agent on a regular basis ensuring that cleaning arms and door seals are checked too.

HTH

Pink.

Hi moj,

We have an older thread on cleaning dishwashers so I've merged your thread with it to keep all the suggestions together.

Pink

emmie1234

Hi all, Bough a dishwasher today, it is a second hand one and I want to give it a good clean before I stick my crocks and wot not in it. Whats the best thing to use?

emmie1234

also just wanted to ask, what can I and what can't I put in there to wash (never had one before)

Thanks

Em

angelavdavis

It has been recommended to fill a container with a mix of white vinegar and bicarb and run a cycle. Ensure all the filters are clean and that the spray holes for each of the rotor arms are clear too.

Before you clean anything, you also need to ensure that the salt and rinse aid are topped up too. Ensure the rotor arms turn easily without obstruction before starting off a cleaning cycle.

lofty_cherrytree

Definately use the bicarb and vinegar to clean the inside. As for what to wash, most things are ok, but only put plastic items on the top shelf. If you have silver plated cutlery, this is ok as long as you don't mix it with stainless steel as the EPNS will come off.I always handwash delicate/irreplaceable items.