How to Do Routine Maintenance on a Dishwasher

Most dishwashers are used at least once a week; however, some homeowners take this appliance for granted. Without regular maintenance, filters and spray arms become clogged and dishwashers lose their efficiency. Constant dish movement during the wash cycle causes racks to wear, and to add to the problem, mold thrives in a warm, moist environment – and once it takes hold, your dishes and machine interior start to smell bad. Prevent all this from happening and improve household hygiene by carrying out some simple tried and tested maintenance steps on a regular basis.

Old towel
Small nailbrush
Clean rag
Scrub brush
Sponge
Wooden toothpick
Old toothbrush
Lint-free cloth
Denatured alcohol
Dishwasher tine repair kit
Wet-or-dry vacuum cleaner, optional
Dishwasher filter, if required
White vinegar

Instructions

- 1
  Open the door and allow the dishwasher to cool down for a few minutes. Place an old towel on the floor and scrub all the grooves and crevices around the door seal with a small nailbrush and hot soapy water; pay special attention to the bottom of the door and the hinges; wipe dry with a clean rag.
- 2
  Remove the interior racks. Loosen baked on grime and food particles from the inside of the door, the interior walls, and the bottom of the machine with a scrub brush and a mild abrasive cleaner. Rinse well with clean warm water and a sponge.
- 3
  Fill the sink halfway with warm water mixed with a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. Lift the spray arm and the bottom cover out of the dishwasher and let them soak in the sink for 15 minutes. Pick out all embedded dirt in the spray arm holes with a wooden toothpick and an old toothbrush. Scrub both parts well and rinse thoroughly in clean water.
- 4
  Inspect the dishwasher racks carefully. Wipe any worn tips of protruding rack tines with a lint-free cloth dipped in denatured alcohol. Paint the tips of worn tines with the small cap brush and white paint that came in your dishwasher tine repair kit. Slip one of the small plastic boots provided in the kit over the end of each worn tine while the paint is still tacky, and allow 15 minutes drying time.
- 5
  Scoop out any loose debris from the drainage cavity below the spray arm; you may find shards of broken glass, bone chips, bits of seafood shells and even gravel nestled in the bottom; a wet-or-dry vacuum cleaner works well for this chore.
- 6
  Consult your owner’s manual and locate the dishwasher filter; it may be located below the spray arm or somewhere on the bottom of the machine. Clean the filter thoroughly as directed in the manual. If the filter is worn or damaged, replace it and reinstall the cover, spray arm, and dishwasher racks.
- 7
  Adjust your machine to the high temperature setting. Fill a dishwasher safe bowl or a large mug with white vinegar, place it in the middle of the top rack, and close the door.
- 8
  Turn the machine on and run a full washing cycle; this will sluice away any loosened grease and grime still clinging to the side walls and racks, and also deodorize the inside of the machine.

How to Replace the Sprayer Arm in a Frigidaire Dishwasher

How to Get Burnt Plastic Off a Dishwasher Heat Element

Dishwashers