Using your KitchenAid Dishwasher is part of the daily or nightly cleaning routine for many people. You probably do not hesitate to ensure that your dishes, counters, and stove is clean most of the time. But, do you ever think about cleaning your dishwasher?
Cleaning your dishwasher regularly is just as important as cleaning everything else you do in your routine. This is because if you want your dishwasher to continue cleaning and sanitizing your dishes, you need to give it a little tender loving care at least once a month. Keep reading to learn how to clean your KitchenAid Dishwasher.
Gather Your Supplies
Cleaning your KitchenAid Dishwasher should be a part of your regular cleaning routine monthly to keep it working its best. Nothing helps cleaning better, like having the proper tools to help you do it correctly.
Gathering your supplies is the first step in your monthly ritual of cleaning your KitchenAid Dishwasher. Some things you should have on hand include Affresh cleaning tablets, warm soapy water, a sponge or soft cloth, and a soft toothbrush.
Having your supplies ready will save you from going back and forth to grab something else you may need to clean your dishwasher. Many people recommend having a bucket either under the sink or somewhere close with all the things you need.
While some people differ on what they use to clean, these basic supplies will help with routine cleaning. For deeper cleaning, which you may want to do at least every three months or so, you can bring out either the vinegar or baking soda (not at the same time).
Eliminate Any Food or Debris From the Dishwasher
After you have used your KitchenAid Dishwasher for some time, it is normal for food particles and other debris to collect on the bottom of the dishwasher. This often comes from not rinsing your dishes before loading them into your dishwasher.
The next step to cleaning your KitchenAid Dishwasher is to eliminate any leftover food or debris that is hanging on the bottom of your dishwasher. Doing this will not only clean your unit but will also help it to function properly.
For best results, it is recommended that you remove food particles from your dishwasher after every load. This will eliminate the need to do this when you are deep cleaning your unit every month.
If you have not done this, then you will need to use either your hands or the soft cloth you gathered to remove the food and other debris. Keep in mind that doing this regularly will prevent your KitchenAid Dishwasher from smelling.
Remove Any Grease or Scum
Like food particles that get left behind after you have used your KitchenAid Dishwasher for a while, grease and soap scum tend to also build up. This not only leaves your dishwasher looking dirty, but it also can cause unwanted odors when you open your unit.
You can gently remove grease and soap scum from your dishwasher by using a sponge, soft cloth, toothbrush, and warm, soapy water. Additionally, you should take care to clean the rubber lining and gasket around the door.
With your sponge or soft cloth, wipe down the inside of the door, the control panel, and the inside walls of your KitchenAid dishwasher. Be sure to use warm soapy water to ensure that it is being cleaned well.
Next, take the toothbrush and, after dipping it in the warm soapy water, use it to clean the gasket and the area all around that is hard to get to with a cloth. Pay special attention to using gentle pressure when you are cleaning the gasket and other mechanical parts.
Take Out the Dishwasher Filter and Clean Thoroughly
Oftentimes when you are cleaning your KitchenAid Dishwasher, even when you are extremely careful, there are parts that you can miss. One of these areas that you want to ensure you are not forgetting is the filter. If the filter gets clogged, it will not clean the dishes as efficiently.
The next step in cleaning your KitchenAid Dishwasher is to remove the filter and clean it thoroughly. Smaller debris and dirt can get stuck in the filter and make the dishwasher work inefficiently.
It is important to note that not all KitchenAid Dishwashers require that you clean them yourself regularly. Some models are considered maintenance-free and therefore do not need to be removed and cleaned.
The filter is found in the bottom of the KitchenAid Dishwasher below the spray arm and will need to be unlocked and then removed. Wash the filter with warm soapy water and use the toothbrush, if needed, to remove any particles that are left behind.
Use Affresh Cleaning Tablets
While nothing says clean better than good old-fashioned elbow grease and a little soap, there are times that your dishwasher may need a little extra help. You likely got your dishwasher clean using the above steps. However, there are places in the dishwasher that your hands and toothbrush cannot reach.
For extra deep cleaning, you should use Affresh cleaning tablets to get to those places that you cannot reach. These tablets go to work to give your KitchenAid Dishwasher and extra level of cleaning that will ensure it continues to work properly.
Affresh cleaning tablets are super easy to use in your dishwasher since all you have to do is pop it into the soap dispenser and run your unit as usual. Some people will use their cleaning tablets even when they already have a load of dishes in the unit.
However you decide to use them, the cleaning tablets can go a long way to keeping your dishwasher cleaned and sanitized. This means that without all of the grime and food particles, your KitchenAid Dishwasher should work for a long time.
To sum up, cleaning your KitchenAid Dishwasher should be done at least once a month to ensure that the unit stays in good condition. Following the above steps can help you to get it clean and like new again in no time at all.