The dishwasher is a fundamental appliance in the daily lives of many Portuguese families. Its usefulness is evident. Domestic routines are made easier when you can use a dishwasher.
Many people hate washing dishes by hand, as they find it a waste of time and a boring task. This appliance allows us to save time and water with its features.
Despite the numerous advantages it presents, over time, the appliance ends up showing signs of wear. With regular use, unwanted bad smells form in the appliance, which then requires cleaning. Housekeeping experts know how to eliminate dishwasher odors.
In this article, we will share with you some strategies so that you can clean your dishwasher truly efficiently.
Tips for eliminating dishwasher odors
Occasionally, it is found that the dishwasher smells bad. Now, realizing this fact does not mean that the appliance is damaged. It will not be necessary to replace the dishwasher.
Odors only indicate that the appliance is dirty. Carrying out a more thorough cleaning will eliminate odors from the dishwasher.
Filter cleaning
Cleaning dirt from dishes using this appliance is carried out with pressurized water at a high temperature. It is due to the effect of water that food remains that are stuck to the dishes are released.
However, as they do not disintegrate, they just fall into the water, causing unwanted effects. Over time, these particles become trapped in the filters that work to prevent blockages in the drain.
However, with use, these elements end up creating mold, because they decompose after
for a long time, causing bad smells in the appliance. Therefore, to eliminate odors from the dishwasher, it is necessary to clean the filter.
To clean it properly, you need to remove the filter. This cylindrical element is located at the bottom of the appliance cavity. To dismantle it, you must first remove the tabs that hold the filter.
After unscrewing it, you must clean the filter by placing it under running tap water. You can also use detergent or soak it if it is very dirty. You can soak the filter in hot water with vinegar and leave it for half an hour. This procedure will facilitate cleaning and eliminate odors. Afterwards, all you have to do is assemble the filter again.
Cleaning a moldy dishwasher
Mold can cause bad smells. Due to the humidity and high temperatures that the dishwasher presents, certain types of fungi and mold bacteria find the perfect fertile ground in the appliance to spread and develop.
In this case, to eliminate odors from the dishwasher, you need to use homemade products, namely baking soda and vinegar.
Using these ingredients allows you to create a homemade solution, a foamy paste that can be used inside the machine. This paste is safe to use on household appliances and proves to be tremendously effective in eliminating mold.
To eliminate odors from the dishwasher, particularly mold, you must place
a small amount of baking soda in a glass of vinegar. Then, you must mix the ingredients until you see that the mixture is frothy.
Afterwards, you must apply the homemade solution to the appliance. With the help of a dishwasher brush, you should scrub the inside of the appliance. You can also use a toothbrush on smaller areas.
Then you can spray it with vinegar. First, you must put the vinegar in a spray bottle. Then, with this solution, spray the inside of the dishwasher. You can also use a glass full of vinegar, placing it on the top shelf of the machine. This is an equally effective alternative.
Then run a regular cycle. After the cycle is complete, leave the dishwasher open for the appliance to dry properly. This way, you will be able to effectively eliminate odors from the dishwasher, removing mold from the appliance.
However, after successfully carrying out this task, you have the responsibility to take better care of the dishwasher so that the mold does not appear again. Regular cleaning proves to be an essential procedure to prevent you from having to deal with problems.
Cleaning the interior is an essential preventive strategy. The parts can and should be washed with soap or detergent, separately.
Drain unclogging
Bad smells in the appliance can arise due to dirt accumulated in the drain, although this is a rarer possibility. It is possible to eliminate odors by cleaning the drain.
First, you must remove the filter and use specific liquid to unclog pipes to eliminate all particles. If you don’t have one, you can use a homemade unblocker. The homemade solution consists of mixing one part baking soda to three parts vinegar.
Afterwards, leave it to act for 15 minutes. Then, you must pour boiling water on the spot. Then check that it is draining properly. It is also possible to carry out a cycle with water at 65 °C, as this allows you to finish removing the dirt.
Tips for preventing odors
People say that prevention is better than cure. There are strategies that ensure that the appliance remains useful and functional for longer. Experts recommend that dishes be removed immediately after completing their cleaning cycle. It is important to ventilate the appliance so that it does not accumulate humidity, which promotes mold.
Occasionally, you should add a cup of vinegar or half a cup of vinegar to the bottom of the appliance. These two options allow you to keep the machine cleaner.
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