Clean Your Dishwasher and Get Rid Of Hardwater and Lime Buildup

by Mom4Real

Have you ever taken your dishes out of the dishwasher only to discover that they are covered in debris? Most likely that debris is lime buildup from hard water, and it's probably in the hoses of your dishwasher. I set out to find a way to clean them, and am so happy that I did! Now my dishwasher cleans my dishes just like it did when I bought it!

cleaning tips dishwasher rid hardwater lime buildup, appliances, cleaning tips

Do your glasses look like this? With tiny specs on them?

All you need is some baking soda, citric acid (also sold in stores as produce protector), and lemon essential oil to make your own dishwasher cleaner. For exact amounts, click over to the blog post...link provided below!

Mix the ingredients together and pour into your empty dishwasher. Start the washing cycle and after 2-5 minutes, pause it for at least 4 hours. Let the wash cycle finish.

Your dishwasher will sparkle...

And your glasses will thank you!

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Frequently asked questions

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3 of 11 questions

Gale on Apr 10, 2022

Does it work with stainless steel dishwasher?

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Bonnie Beck Thompson on Apr 11, 2022

I was told that vinegar, an acid, will damage the seals in your dishwasher. Wouldn't citric acid as well?

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Aar48882342 on Apr 06, 2023

where is the filter on the dishwasher

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3 of 213 comments

34354174 on Jun 26, 2021

Clean the dishwasher filter frequently. If not, you will have a nasty, moldy mess in there. Actually take it out and clean it and inside where it sits.
Lemon or any citrus that are acidic, will etch plates or make your glasses cloudy.
So if you use acidic products to clean the dishwasher, I suggest running a cycle with just plain water to be sure all the vinegar, lemon, etc. is rinsed away.
I never use citrus in my dishwasher detergents.

9 Reply
- Gabrielle Falk on Apr 02, 2023
  
  Yes, you are so right about the 'acid'. Should never put anything acidic in dishwasher, or anything metallic. Every so often I just run a normal dishwashing cycle with an empty dishwasher and d/w tablet. I always clean around the edges of the door, etc. and the filter. After all, if you don't have a clean filter, then it cannot do its job. Giv your dishes, etc. a quick rinse before placing in d/w. Putting really dirty plates, etc. in just make it all the more harder for the d/w to do its job.
  
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Kathleen Fornes on Apr 02, 2023

Agreed! Clean filter frequently and take it out and pour baking soda down there then vinegar wait at least 5 min and pour boiling hot water down it .

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