Is there any unpleasant smell coming from your dishwasher? Experiencing this kind of problem only means that your dishwasher needs to be cleaned. Regular cleaning and maintenance is the only way for your appliances to serve you well into the future. Most especially true for dishwashers as they are exposed to food particles all the time. If there is a smelly dishwasher in your Chicago rental, read on and find out how to clean and keep it that way.
A dishwasher with an unpleasant smell may be caused by several factors. But the most common offenders are food particles and dirty water getting trapped in the drain hose, drain filter, spray arm, or other areas. In addition to that, mold could be present if you don’t completely drain your dishwasher after each use. This could lead to a breakdown of your dishwasher and potentially causing health issues in your household.
To clean your dishwasher, strategically start in the drain filter. A clogged drain filter is synonymous with a smelly dishwasher. Find the drain filter, it is usually located at the bottom rear of the tub of your dishwasher. You need to pull this out so you can clean it with hot soapy water and a bottle brush. After that, check the drain to make sure it is clear.
Dishwashers with spray arms can get clogged and this is the second source of your problem. So, if you have cleaned the filter and yet the odor remains you should remove the spray arms and rinse them out. Food particles can get stuck in the holes, use a toothpick for this, then run water through the arm to wash them out.
The insides of your dishwashers, like drain filters and spray arms, should also be cleaned from soap scum and grime. This is why it is important to regularly scrub the interior of the dishwasher with hot soapy water, and don’t forget to include the door gaskets and racks. Another great way to clean your dishwasher’s interior is to run separate empty cycles with vinegar and baking soda. These natural cleaners work wonders.
To solve your smelly dishwasher problem, you need to run it twice. The reason is that these two cleaners should not be mixed in the dishwasher since it will cause a chemical reaction. For the first cycle, fill a bowl of white vinegar, place it on the top rack inside the dishwasher, then run a hot water cycle. If you happen to dislike the scent of vinegar, you can remedy this by adding a few drops of essential oil like lavender, orange, or lemon. Finally, prepare a cup of baking soda and place this at the bottom of the dishwasher. Then run a second cycle. At last, after completing these steps, your dishwasher should no longer have unwanted odors.
The problem is finally gone so you need to prevent it from coming back. Consistency is key, according to appliance experts, repeat the cleaning process mentioned above three or four times a year to keep your dishwasher running efficiently. But don’t limit yourself to that. Scraping and rinsing your dishes before loading them in the dishwasher can prevent food particles from becoming trapped in the first place. When you are using your dishwasher, make sure to avoid running other appliances that use hot water. You need to do this so that your dishwasher has all the supply of hot water needed to break down soap and food particles and make sure your dishes are cleaned thoroughly.
Looking for more ideas on keeping your rental house clean and odor-free? Visit our blog today, or if you’re in the market for a new Chicago rental home, take a look at our current listings.
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