February 2022

Finding an apartment in the South Wedge that comes with a dishwasher isn’t always easy, which makes it one of the nice amenities of living at South and Hickory Place. While the idea of cleaning an appliance that’s made to clean other things might seem redundant, it’s actually a good idea. It will help it do a better job washing your dishes and eliminate any unpleasant odors.

Let’s start with how often you should clean your dishwasher. Every six months is fine unless you notice any persistent odors or drainage issues. When it comes to the materials you need, chances are you already have them on hand. White vinegar, baking soda, and an old toothbrush or small scrub brush is all you’ll need.

Start by removing or fully extending the bottom rack. Check the area around the drain and remove any foreign material that may be blocking it. Make sure all the drain holes are open. If any are clogged, dip a small brush in vinegar and scrub them.

Next, inspect the spray arms. Especially the holes where the water sprays out. If any are clogged, your dishwasher won’t clean or rinse as well as it should. If that’s the case, dip a small brush in some vinegar and scrub the spray holes. If that doesn’t work, you can also use a toothpick to open up clogged holes. When you’re finished, replace the racks.

Now place a small dishwasher-safe bowl on the top rack of your empty dishwasher and fill it with about 1 cup of white vinegar. Run a complete cycle on the hottest setting. The vinegar will be mixed with the sprayed water and break down any bits of food, grease, soap residue, or grime.

Your last step is to remove the bowl, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda around the bottom of the dishwasher and run it for a short cycle. This will remove stains and freshen things up.