Moldy black crud in my dishwasher. HELP!

Question

My dishwasher problem is moldy crud build up. Every week I have to clean the whole inside of my dishwasher with a plant based cleaner and let it sit 15-20 minutes to work. Then I scrub the insides down completely with a rough paper towel. Then I spray it with a vinegar spray but the vinegar alone is not enough to clean it. Then I run a rinse/dishwasher clean cycle. Now I am also letting the dishwasher sit open at night with the racks pulled out for                         airflow so I can close it during the day so I don't have to look at it sitting open. I hate all of this but I hate the moldy stuff worse. Any other/better ideas out there? The cruddy stuff inside my dishwasher is actually black....My dishwasher was new too a few years back.

Darla · Answer

Do you use the dry cycle in the dishwasher? It sounds like the water's not draining fast enough or it is staying damp inside the dishwasher all the time.

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

Yes, we use the hot wash and the dry cycle. I 'suspect' it is staying damp inside the dishwasher and this is why I am leaving it open and the racks pulled out a night to get more airflow....Wish I had a solution though.....

Pamela Sloan · Answer

Is it still under warrantee? I would wash dishes by hand before going to all that trouble to clean a dishwasher. Front loading clothes washers are even worse. I keep hoping mine will just die. I find all appliances are poorly made so they die within 5 years anyway!

Sgmclawhorn · Answer

The dishwasher in the house next door to me was BLACK inside but it was found to be caused by the well water.  Problem was corrected with a water softener installed for the 'whole house' solution.  Good luck!

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

No, not under warranty. I cook three meals a day from scratch, plus bake/freeze/can/dehydrate, so that's a LOT of dishes to hand wash!! I hear a lot of people hate their front loading washers, but I love mine because it has lightened my washing from 5 loads a week to just three loads AND it saves me money on water, soap and electricity. Plus I can wash my bed pillows, blankets and quilt in it without having to go to the Laundromat to wash larger items. I just keep the rubber seal wiped off/out after each load and leave the door open overnight to air it out. I've had that washer 8 years without any trouble.

CycoSue · Answer

Have you checked the drain area for blockage? http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/02/how-to-clean-your-dishwasher.html

Donna Shipley · Answer

The fellow that serviced my dishwasher told me to set a measuring cup of white vinegar in the top rack once a week to keep it fresh and clean.

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

I have been spraying the washer inside with a 50%50% (water/vinegar) mix, directly onto the mold/gunky stuff. I never thought of setting an actual cup of vinegar on the rack. I will try that! Thanks!

Judy · Answer

Since it drains into a gray water tank instead of the septic system you can safely use bleach without killing the bacteria in the septic tank. With mold that stubborn I suspect running the dishwasher, empty of dishes, with a cup of bleach added, is what you need to do to kill this crud.

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

That's worth a strong consideration. Thank you.

Pat Zagami · Answer

Leave the door open a little bit, it will get air and dry the inside.

Ms Lupe · Answer

Well just a thought  that maybe start putting a bit of Baking Soda , as this is a catch all
remedy :)

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

That's another good idea....I'll try it. The fact that its a kind of a thicker/scratchier substance it could possible take off some of the crud. I did buy some dishwasher cleaner today but would really rather have an organic/non-toxic product.

B. Enne · Answer

I've never had this problem, and I am wondering if it is because I use the air drying cycle...Does your dishwasher have one? I know many of the newer ones don't.

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

Yes, I D o use a hot drying cycle. I tried a dozen things and what turned out working best was 1) Make a scrub with the baking soda and scrubbing the bad spots and 2)then using baking soda as a soap/wash along with my organic dishwasher soap. 3) I leave the dishwasher open and the racks pulled out at night now as well too. Not a perfect solution , but better than it was.

Karole Gil · Answer

Good answers regarding leaving the door open. We run the dishwasher at night, empty it in the morning. Basically the door is always closed. Looks like I need to change the schedule.

Moldy black crud in my dishwasher. HELP!

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Moldy black crud in my dishwasher. HELP!

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