How to Clean Dishwasher with Vinegar
Dishwashers are extremely convenient appliances that make life easier for most households. They clean dishes efficiently and effectively, however, this doesn’t mean that they don’t need cleaning themselves. Soap buildup, hard water stains, and food particles can easily accumulate and cause your dishwasher to smell bad and function inadequately. This is where vinegar comes in. In this article, we will be exploring how to clean your dishwasher with vinegar.
Step by Step Guide
The good news is that cleaning your dishwasher with vinegar is an easy process that requires minimal effort and time. You just need to have a few simple ingredients to get started.
Equipment and materials required for cleaning dishwasher with vinegar:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- A microfiber cloth or sponge
- A small cleaning brush
Before we begin cleaning, please empty your dishwasher completely, and never mix bleach and vinegar together, as this can cause harmful fumes.
- Add two cups of vinegar into a bowl or measuring cup.
- Place the bowl in the bottom rack of the dishwasher and run it through a cycle with hot water. This will loosen and remove the soap buildup and food particles.
- Once the cycle is complete, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda at the bottom of the dishwasher, and run the dishwasher again, but this time with hot water. This will remove any remaining stains and bad odors.
- Finally, use a microfiber cloth or sponge to wipe the dishwasher’s interior and exterior to remove any lingering stains or grime.
- For any hard-to-reach areas, use a small cleaning brush to scrub gently.
Tips and warnings about vinegar usage:
- If you have a stainless steel interior, avoid using vinegar as it can cause damage.
- You can use distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
- For a better result, it is recommended to repeat the process once a month.
- Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before attempting to clean your dishwasher.
Video Tutorial
A video tutorial can be very helpful when it comes to learning how to clean your dishwasher with vinegar. You can pause, rewind, and watch it multiple times to see the steps more clearly. Additionally, many people find seeing someone carry out the task comforting and reassuring.
Here’s a great video tutorial that provides a step-by-step guide on how to clean your dishwasher with vinegar:
Vinegar Vs. Commercial Cleaners
When it comes to cleaning your dishwasher, you have two options. You either go with a commercial cleaner or use vinegar. Commercial cleaners may be easier to purchase and use, but they come with drawbacks. Vinegar, on the other hand, is more eco-friendly, budget-friendly, and has proven to be an effective cleaning agent. Here’s a comparison of Vinegar and Commercial Cleaners:
Benefits of using vinegar:
- Vinegar is an all-natural cleaning solution, making it eco-friendly and safe for use in homes with small children and pets.
- It is readily available and inexpensive.
- It can be used for more than just one purpose – laundry, bathroom, and kitchen cleaning.
Drawbacks of using commercial cleaners:
- Commercial cleaners are usually packed with chemicals that can be harmful to both human and pet health.
- They are more expensive than vinegar and tend to have a shorter lifespan.
- Some commercial cleaners are not eco-friendly and can contribute to polluting the environment.
The Science behind Vinegar Cleaning
Vinegar has been used as a cleaning agent for centuries, owing to the acidic properties that it contains. The acid in vinegar breaks down the alkaline present in soap and food particles, making it easy to remove them from surfaces like dishwasher interiors. Vinegar also has antimicrobial properties that make it effective at killing bacteria and germs.
Vinegar has several advantages over other cleaning agents:
- Vinegar is a natural ingredient present in most households, making it readily available.
- It is effective in removing stains and bad odors from the dishwasher.
- Vinegar has antibacterial properties, making it a natural disinfectant.
One of the questions that people tend to ask about cleaning their dishwasher with vinegar is, “How does vinegar remove hard water stains?”
Using Vinegar to Remove Hard Water Stains
Hard water stains usually accumulate inside dishwashers, especially if you live in areas with hard water. These stains are caused by mineral deposits and can be challenging to remove using regular dishwashing detergents. However, vinegar can help with that.
Causes of hard water stains and how to avoid them:
- Hard water is the primary cause of these stains; you can always try to use a water softener or rinse aid that prevents the stains.
- If possible, avoid using really hot water because it makes the stains harder to remove.
Tips on how to remove hard water stains using vinegar:
- Fill a bowl with equal parts of water and vinegar.
- Soak the dishwasher’s interior with the vinegar solution, making sure to get to the hard-to-reach areas.
- Leave the vinegar solution for at least an hour so that it can penetrate deeply into the stains and dislodge them.
- After an hour, scrub gently with a sponge or microfiber cloth until all the stains are removed.
Alternatives to vinegar:
- You can also clean hard water stains using citric acid, baking soda, or lemon juice if vinegar is not available.
- The steps for using each of these ingredients are the same as those of cleaning with vinegar.
Natural Cleaning Solutions
Using vinegar to clean your dishwasher has proven to be an effective and eco-friendly solution. It is a natural ingredient that is readily available, inexpensive, and versatile in its uses. However, there are other natural cleaning solutions that you can try to clean your dishwasher.
Here are some alternative natural cleaners for cleaning your dishwasher:
- Lemon juice
- Baking soda
- Citric acid
- Essential oils like lemongrass and tea tree oils
- Borax
These natural cleaning agents usually require a bit more effort than just using vinegar. However, the process is eco-friendly and safer for human and pet health.
FAQs
Here are answers to commonly asked questions regarding cleaning your dishwasher with vinegar:
- How often should you clean your dishwasher with vinegar? It is recommended to clean your dishwasher with vinegar at least once every month to maintain its functionality and prevent bad odors.
- Can you mix vinegar with bleach? No. For the best results and safety, avoid mixing vinegar with bleach, as it can create toxic fumes.
- How to store vinegar effectively? Vinegar is best stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Can vinegar damage my dishwasher? No, vinegar cannot damage your dishwasher; however, it can react adversely with some metals, causing damage. Ensure you read your manual before using vinegar on your dishwasher.
Conclusion
Cleaning your dishwasher with vinegar is a simple process that can be done quickly and easily. Vinegar is an eco-friendly, budget-friendly, and versatile natural cleaning agent that effectively removes stains, bad odors, and germs. When compared to commercial cleaners, vinegar wins because it is natural, readily available, and safe for human health. With this step-by-step guide, cleaning your dishwasher with vinegar has never been easier.
If you have any further questions or concerns, check out our FAQ section. We hope that this article has helped you to get a better understanding of how to clean your dishwasher with vinegar.
