A Now Age-Old Idea for Keeping Your Dishwasher Clean

[daveamkrayoguy]

With discussions about how dishwashers aren’t cleaning as well as they should or the results of a typical just-washed load being substandard. . .

. . .it’s easy to forget that besides cleaning the dishwasher’s filter which many loath to do, there is actually a thing called a DISHWASHER CLEANER…

So I’ll let these pictures and maybe a future load speak for themselves:

— Dave[this post was last edited: 8/29/2024-13:07]

 

[luxflairguy]

But there are NO pics!

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Well I tried again…

— Dave

 

[combo52]

Dishwasher cleaners

Can be very useful if you have a situation where either the dishwasher wasn’t operating properly for a while or you were using an inferior detergent cycles, etc., for water conditions.

But in general, if the dishwasher is turning out sparkling, clean table where and glassware there is no need to ever clean the machine itself.

I hope you’re having good luck with that machine Dave I’ve thrown three of those away in the last month two were made in China and the one that’s sitting on the scrap pile right now was made in Thailand. Didn’t even look at this one don’t know what’s wrong with it. It said it was only two years old , but we’re just gonna Recycle it do you need any parts?

John

 

[appnut]

Dave, I use that very same Finish dishwasher cleaner. I've got somewhat to heavy hard water at my house and I found that's the best cleaner there is.

 

[littlegreeny]

I found that Finish cleaner to be way too pungent. I use and love Affresh. It's unscented and I find it works extremely well. I was skeptical like John of needing a dishwasher cleaner but found the racks always slide smoother after using and my dishes no longer have that occasional fishy aroma. My overall dishwasher hygiene is better using them once a month.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Finish is all I find, the smell can be strong but I know I have long remedied a lot of poor dishwasher performance just about every time I'd had an open cavity and ready to use...

 

Proof is at least a lower-rack only load of, I'd washed afterwards but forgot to take the photo of... It was some badly-needed cookware and at least a couple items (a broiling pan and an extra-large skillet) that I couldn't fit in that one previous full load...

 

I use the end pieces of a bread loaf to get the grease off of pans, plates, and out of bowls and pots, while giving them to the critters...

 

And I make enough effort to scrape off burned and loose food particles so that I may not have to worry much about that scummy filter for a while...

 

And put on gloves, removing the filter and remembering the assembly of it, that last time, too...  

 

Finally getting rid of on it and in it, all that nasty gunk!

 

As for the brand of dishwasher, my Samsung I think is a good and reliable contender and the only cheap or at least affordable brand with that think, extra top rack, I was surprised a number of other sorts of brands said to be "better" didn't have...  It runs so quietly, too...

 

So I can't understand while the thin and frail quality of it, and I'm sure a lot of other new appliances are gets such a bad rap... I have a Samsung gas range as well, which I'm also happy with, and had both for a good four years...

 

 

 

-- Dave

 

 

[me]

Possibly not a good idea, but I just use anhydrous citric acid to clean and descale mine since we've very hard water. I've tried a couple of dishwasher cleaners products in the past, they smelt awful.

 

[launderess]

Cleaning and descaling are two different processes.

Many washing and dish machine "cleaners" are high in alkaline substances and oxygen bleach. They are designed to break down gunk and other muck along with providing some sanitation of washer interior.

Descaling products are acidic and meant to break down and otherwise cope with hard water mineral deposits.

Opinions vary as to whether or not either of above products are necessary. Some feel by using and properly dosing a good TOL laundry or dish machine detergent cleaning or descaling products aren't really necessary. They say this because at top or even middle end of product range detergents of all sorts contain ingredients meant to prevent limescale and muck buidup.

OTOH others counter that in areas with moderate to rock hard water conditions use of descaling products are necessary. Primarily to prevent heating elements from being coated in deposits that will lead to premature failure.

Can see both sides of issue.

Our local tap water is wonderfully soft so never have real worries about limescale. OTOH have purchased washing machines and dishwashers from other parts of country were pump, sump and other bits were encased in limescale/detergent build-up to extent resembled concrete.

 

[bpetersxx]

I used this to clean my Maytag Jetclean DW when i installed it

Not had any problems yet

But I have a Kinetico in the basement

not too much cost for salt

But may use again the future to freshen up the Dw's

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Finish

I use all Finish products, including their dishwasher cleaner. It keeps my dishwasher smelling fresh and clean.