Cleaning your dishwasher might be one of those chores that are always on top of your to-do-list, but maybe you keep postponing to handle them because you see it a hard task. However, I’m here to help you do this in the shortest time possible. Besides, you will only need common cleaners. 

Here are regular cleaning tips for dishwashers to help it perform optimally.

1. Run a maintenance wash

Your dishwashers will benefit from regular runs of maintenance wash cycles. Choose a wash program with high rinse temperature and add a cleaning detergent to remove limescale deposits and grease.

2. Clean its door seal

Using a damp cloth and some special liquid detergent wipe down the seal to prevent the buildup of mildew and mold.

3. Unclog the spray arms

Your dishwasher’s spray arms holes need to cleaned to get rid of hard water deposits to ensure effective cleaning. To do this, unscrew the lower spray arm by dragging it upwards and upper spray arm by dragging it downwards.

4. Clean the drain pump

Hard water deposits and food residues in your drain pump need to be cleaned to ensure proper drainage. To do this, disconnect your dishwasher from power and remove the bottom and top baskets by unscrewing and lifting out the filter. Clean any residual water using a sponge and also clean the impeller wheel of any deposits and debris.

5. Allow it to breath

Leave your dishwasher’s door open after every wash to allow its internal components to dry. This will help prevent unpleasant odors from accumulating.

Now that is all when it comes to cleaning the internal components of your dishwasher. Let’s now look at some of the alternative uses of dishwashers.

Bonus tips:

Dishwashers are not for washing ordinary dishes. You can use them to wash other things;

* Washing baby toys

Babies are sensitive to germs because of their frail immune system. Therefore, instead of washing your baby’s toys by hand, why not place them in the top rack of your dishwasher and run a sanitizing cycle. This will ensure they stay clean and germs-free thereby keeping your baby from getting sick.

* Washing baby bottles

You can wash your baby bottle system in a dishwasher to clean it from germs and other harmful microorganisms.

However, you need to exercise caution not to damage the nipples in your dishwasher racks. Setting your dishwasher on sanitizing cycle and ensuring the temperatures are high enough to kill germs and low enough not to destroy your bottle will guarantee a better clean of your baby bottles.

* Washing Legos

Are you aware that Legos need to be thoroughly cleaned every two months? Yes, they need to be washed every two months. I didn’t know this until recently. Apparently, they also need to be sanitized. To wash and sanitize them in the dishwasher, put them in a laundry bag and put them on the top rack of your dishwasher and run a sanitize cycle. It is that simple.

* Do a facial

Well, we used to do this as kids, and it is something that really does work. For people with blackheads and need to get rid of them, then you can use steam from your dishwasher to get rid of them. Turn on your dishwasher and once the steam accumulates inside, carefully open the door so the steam can be released outside. Place a towel over your head and go near the steams to cleanse your face. Make sure to keep the distance the steam won’t burn you. Then, you will need to wash your face and apply a facial cleanser to clean your pores.

There you have them – alternative uses of dishwashers. Try them and see if they will work for you. If you have little kids, a dishwasher will come in handy to sanitize their plastic toys and bottles.

Now that I have shared these cleaning tips of dishwashers as well as alternative uses of the dishwasher with you, why don’t you share what you know with me and others as well? I would like to hear your tips or trick you may have to keep your appliance sanitized and smelling fresh. Also, you can share with us any alternative ways for alternative ways of using a dishwasher.