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Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

0
Michelle
Michelle Wilmette, IL on Apr 06, 2012
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How do I clean my dishwasher? I've tried bleach. I don't want to call a professional and my dishes are coming out dingy.

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43 Comments Displaying 25 of 43 comments | See Previous
  • Jeanette S Atlanta, GA
    Susan S, I read this in the instruction booklet and it is cleaned regularly. The odor problem is common with these machines because a new product "washer cleaner" is being made that is used once a month to clean them.
    on May 24, 2012 · Like 1
  • Victoria S Cape Coral, FL
    just get Rinse aide at the store,and yes Borax laundry is a freshener you can toss some in once a week,make sure the temp is high enough to heat properly
    on May 24, 2012 · Like 1
  • Susan S Fredericksburg, VA
    Goodness, I hadn't even thought of Borax - wow, that's a reeeeally old (but good) product. I really don't remember even seeing it on store shelves but then again, haven't actively looked for it.

    Some of you may be too young to remember this but seeing the name Borax evoked memories from waaaay back when it was called "20 Mule Team Borax" and it was one of the leading sponsors of some of the old TV shows - like Wagon Train. Now that was a trip down memory lane and I just seriously ...»

    dated myself!! LOL I was just a little girl then mind you ;~)

    on May 25, 2012 · Like 1
  • Victoria S Cape Coral, FL
    sure its available,in the laundry isle about $3 something,its also a pest control use,if you sprinkle it around in garage or carpets etc you wont have palmetto bugs, fleas,roaches anything, it drives them away, its all i use,our garage has never has a palmetoo bug in all the yrs here in florida,its also a freshener so I sprinkle on carpets in case the grandkids or dogs bring in any unwanted fleas etc..good luck!
    on May 26, 2012 · Like 1
  • Susan S Fredericksburg, VA
    @Victoria S. Well who knew - obviously you and a few others!! One thing I don't have issues with in Va. is palmetto bugs but I do know what they are and they get HUGE!! My daughter lived in Miami for awhile - I saw all sorts of critters I wasn't familiar with - people too!! LOL

    Wonder if it'll work to keep crickets out of the garage??

    Thanks for the input - I see a box of Borax in my future ;~)

    on May 26, 2012 · Like 1
  • Amanda M Bethlehem, GA
    If someone hasn't mentioned, I actually took my dishwasher apart and found a blockage in the drainage hole. It had paper from jars and food stuff. Nasty! Then I put it together, ran bleach, then ran a non-sweetened packet of Lemonade Kool-Aid. I have noticed a big difference. Please refer to your dishwasher's user manual for additional information. Many manuals can now be found online.
    on May 26, 2012 · Like 0
  • Victoria S Cape Coral, FL
    lol amanda,ez way to rid that prob, you rinse off in sink,no paticles of anything!
    on May 26, 2012 · Like 0
  • Victoria S Cape Coral, FL
    crickets too susan!
    on May 26, 2012 · Like 1
  • Susan S Fredericksburg, VA
    @Victoria - definitely gonna try the Borax.

    @Amanda M. Think I may need to do the same thing - I've long suspected there was probably some junk & gunk somewhere. It's only 14 yrs old - what could possibly be clogging it up?? LOL The Kool-Aid was to . . . . . .freshen it up???

    on May 26, 2012 · Like 0
  • Amanda M Bethlehem, GA
    @ Victoria, when I was the dishes, all that is taken care of. However, I'm not the only one who does dishes in this house, and I cannot stress enough the importance of scraping off and prerinsing the dishes in the sink. :)
    on May 28, 2012 · Like 0
  • Sherrie S Debary, FL
    Amanda M, I think you are correct & I scrape & pre-rinse , too. I read an article that said that's why the foreigners don't use dishwashers. More work with the dishwasher. Hmmm.
    on May 28, 2012 · Like 0
  • Karen San Diego, CA
    Speaking of hot water, I was told that the heater used by dishwashers to warm the water is inadequate--you really need to have hot water running into the dishwasher from the beginning. I run my kitchen faucet until the water comes out at least warm before I turn on the dishwasher. Not wanting to waste the water, I run it into my plant watering can. :-)
    on May 28, 2012 · Like 0
  • Marsha J Chelsea, MA
    Michelle, I have a wonderful product for you.. Dish Drops, Amway makes the very best and my dishwasher and dishes are a wonderful thing. Let me know, Marshajohnson@comcast.net and i'll ship you some.
    on May 28, 2012 · Like 0
  • Victoria S Cape Coral, FL
    I dont have a bit of problems with my diswasher and in over 20 yrs havent...I use cascade liquid and rinse aide and your water temp has to be hot! thats it..never dull,discolored,dingy...sooo maybe its just what you all are using!!
    on May 29, 2012 · Like 0
  • Susan S Fredericksburg, VA
    I practically pre-wash the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher IF I'm actually going to turn the DW on. As I said waaay back, I wash the dishes and then put them in the DW just to drain. I positively despise a dish drainer & rack sitting out on my counter top. Don't have an excess of space anyway!! My water is HOT HOT HOT, and we're on city water. I'm sure alot of the issues can be attributed to whether you have city water or a drilled well, hard or soft water etc. etcl
    on May 29, 2012 · Like 0
  • Stephanie V
    Lemi Shine works really good to
    on May 29, 2012 · Like 0
  • Nancy Rhodes C Bessemer, AL
    I have to pull out my neat house guest's dishes because she doesn't prerinse. Sigh.
    on Jun 07, 2012 · Like 1
  • Joy D Missouri City, TX
    I squirt a little vinegar into my dishwasher every time I run it and dishes and dishwasher come out clean..no spots....
    on Jun 07, 2012 · Like 1
  • Priscilla E Mount Vernon, IN
    If there is a ton of water in the bottom it may be the pump. I had big problems in my condo with an expensive Maytag Dishwasher. If this happens all the time it can cause a flood. I had a tech out 5 times with Home Tec in Florida and the 5th guy figured it out. Also the pipe that was installed may be leaning the wrong way under the sink and the water can not drain. More info. I will have hubby write.
    on Jun 08, 2012 · Like 0
  • Maryanne S San Antonio, TX
    There are several dishwasher cleaning products. You must find your filer and clean it out. Also remove the arms that sprinkle the water and remove the gunk.
    on Jun 10, 2012 · Like 1
  • Nancy Rhodes C Bessemer, AL
    WOW! vinegar bottle here I come. I did not know that dishwashers get dirty. With all that soap and rinse aid, how can they? But I believe you and will consider it the same as the coffee pot - that it has to be cleaned. You know how they advertise no prerinse on TV. My batchelor husband believed them and it took me 3 years to get him out of my kitchen. All I know is to watch the service repair men because our last one on this last dishwasher sabotaged our dishwasher claiming to have ...»
    pulled out old rusty bolts and screws that could NEVER have been dropped by us and calling for a new motor. I don't know how he did it like a magician. We watched him replace the motor with a new one and have had no trouble since. That was his third and last visit to our house. We have a wonderful silent WHIRLPOOL.

    on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 1
  • Susan S Fredericksburg, VA
    THE NOISE - THAT may be one more reason I really hate to use mine!! My kitchen - fam. rm. are all open but, when DW is turned on and I'm still on KP duty, I can't hear the TV - can't miss Wheel of Fortune!! LOL. Guess I see a "tear it apart" job in my near future! If I can't get it put back together I'm comin to find you Maryanne!!
    on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
  • Jan Y Fort Davis, TX
    try oxyclean they made a a new cleaner made for dishwashers .
    on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
  • Kandee S Reno, NV
    powdered tang just like dish soap and run the dishwasher empty it will clean it right up.
    on Jun 13, 2012 · Like 0
  • Susan S Fredericksburg, VA
    May not be an issue any more FOR ME!! Decided to turn the DW on this morning - partly to clean out standing water (from letting already washed dishes drain in dishwasher) and Woh La - Nuthin!! Wouldn't turn on - no noise, no sound, KA-PUT!!!
    on Jun 13, 2012 · Like 0

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