If you own a compact dishwasher, you know how convenient it is when you don’t have to do the dishes by hand. Whether it’s your favorite appliance that you can’t live without or a necessary appliance for your small kitchen, there are some things you need to do in order to keep it running like new.
How To Clean Your Compact Dishwasher
If you are fortunate enough to have a portable or compact dishwasher, you probably have found that keeping it clean is a constant battle. It’s difficult to get to the filter, and most food is washed down the drain, but there is always some debris left behind. Here are some tips to keep your compact dishwasher clean.
You will need:
-A toothbrush
-Soapy water
-A screwdriver or nut driver
-Dishwasher detergent
Steps:
1.Unplug the dishwasher from the electrical outlet. If it is hardwired into your home, turn off the power at your circuit breaker box.
2.Remove the racks from the inside of the dishwasher. Check for loose debris and remove any items from the bottom of the tub in case they accidentally fell out of the racks when you removed them. Sweep out any debris that may have dropped on the floor of the tub and wipe down with a damp rag and dry with a clean cloth. Do not use any abrasive cleaners on stainless steel finishes as they may damage them. If you see mineral deposits, use white vinegar and water to remove them without damaging stainless steel surfaces.
3.Remove all components attached to the bottom of your
The proper way to clean your dishwasher is to run an empty cycle with bleach. But this method can take up to a full day. There are several other methods you can use to clean your dishwasher in a fraction of the time, without using bleach.
To clean your compact dishwasher, you will need:
Baking soda or vinegar
Water or club soda
Regular cleaning of the dishwasher prevents food particles and other debris from building up and resulting in a dirty dishwasher. These deposits can cause unpleasant odors and can also lead to food particles sticking to dishes when washed. Although the dishwasher is designed to clean dishes, it does need some maintenance to keep it working efficiently.
To clean your dishwasher, you will need:
A dishwasher cleaner
A clean sponge or cloth
A flashlight
Cleaning a Compact Dishwasher
Remove all racks and trays from the dishwasher.
Look for any obvious food or grease stains in the tub of the dishwasher. Use a damp sponge or cloth to remove any stains, using a little detergent if needed. If there are any stains that are difficult to remove, use a little oven cleaner on them. Leave the cleaner on for a few minutes before wiping off with a damp sponge or cloth and rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Make sure you rinse everything thoroughly; oven cleaner should not be used inside the machine unless absolutely necessary as it is very caustic.
Open the bottom spray arm of the machine (if equipped) by pressing down and turning counterclockwise, then lift it out of its housing. Check for any debris clogging the spray arm holes
Your compact dishwasher is probably one of the hardest working appliances in your home. Not only does it have to contend with food debris and grease, but it also has to deal with hard water deposits and soap scum.
This can result in a lot of buildup over time, making your dishwasher less efficient and even compromising the taste of your food. Fortunately, there is an easy way to clean your dishwasher, from top to bottom, once a month. It takes just a few minutes and can be done after you put away the breakfast dishes.
The compact dishwasher that is built into most mini kitchens does not have a filter that needs to be cleaned. It does have components that should be rinsed on a regular basis, however. We recommend you perform the following steps every 3-4 weeks.
1. Remove the lower rack from the dishwasher and pull out the spray arm assembly from its housing at the bottom of the unit.
2. Check both sides of the spray arm assembly for any buildup of residue, wipe it off and rinse thoroughly with warm water. If necessary, you can use a small brush or toothpick to dislodge any stuck-on food particles. Replace it in its housing and replace the lower rack.
3. Remove the top rack of your dishwasher and locate the small holes at the top of each spindle on which your dishes sit during washing. Use a toothpick to remove any stuck-on food particles around these holes and then wipe gently with a soft cloth soaked in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly with clean water. Use a cotton swab to clean inside each hole to remove any remaining residue and then wipe dry with a paper towel or soft cloth before replacing the top rack in your dishwasher.
To begin clean the door gasket by pulling it out and wiping it down. Next, remove the filter and wash it with water and a brush. Let the filter dry before putting it back in place.
Next, wipe down the inside of the dishwasher using a damp cloth or sponge and some dishwashing liquid. Also, be sure to clean any bowls or utensils you may have washed in your compact dishwasher on a regular basis using hot soapy water and a scrubbing brush. These items are more likely to collect food particles than are plates or glasses.
You can also add a small amount of bleach to your washing cycle when cleaning certain items such as cutting boards, which need to be sanitized. Just be sure not to use too much bleach; otherwise you may ruin your dishes!