how to clean a dishwasher

Sarahsaver

I thought this was the best place to ask. For some reason my dishwasher has scaled up really quickly. I use vinegar for the kettle, so how much should I use for the dishwasher? have any of you done this? Does it work?

squeaky

Yes, and yes

I use half a cup (mug) of vinegar. Remember NOT to put it in until after the prewash or pre rinse cycle if your machine does one. Stand it in the top tray.

Any time you use lemons for something - bung the peel in the DW next time you use it.

Vinegar works perfectly well as a rinse aid too.

comping_cat

So, do you put the vinegar in whilst you have dishes in there (after the first rinse?) or do you run the dishwasher empty whilst it descales?
Also, if you are using vinegar as a rinse aid, do you just put neat vinegar in the rinse aid compartment?
Catherine x

squeaky

It's best to run the DW empty (after the first rinse, yes) since you can't really use soap at the same time - though I've put glasses in there to get them sparkly before now

And yes, just use the vinegar exactly the same way that you would use rinse aid.

Sarahsaver

Mine looks totally scaled up - will it shift that? Its only after a week of using 'gumption' dishwasher tablets that it's all gone a bit pete tong...

black-saturn

What about for descaling a washing machine? When would you put it in for that?

comping_cat

black-saturn wrote:

What about for descaling a washing machine? When would you put it in for that?

Apparently if you are using vinegar as a fabric softener it will help descale, you just have to leave the door of the WM open for a little while after you have used it to make sure it doesnt start to smell!!!!
Catherine x

gravitytolls

Hi,
Sometimes my crocks seem to have bits on them, and they feel gritty.
Is this limescale?

I always check salt and rinse aid, and I've used dishwasher cleaners, but it still seems to happen.

Jay-Jay_4

Have you cleaned the rotating arms on your dishwasher recently? When ours get bunged up our stuff comes out with what looks like Weetabix all over them.

You need to take the arms off, pull any bits of food out carefully (usually sweetcorn in this house) and rinse them under the tap.

chickadee

Also make sure that the filter isn't clogged up with food scraps. This can cause the rinsed-off water to be redistributed back onto the dishes again. Yuk!