latest hysteria on our local news: dishwasher fungus

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

Moist, hot environments are a common breeding ground for fungi. Yeah and yeast too.

That can be fixed with concrete and two stitches I always say.

Anyhow, one cant go wrong with a LITTLE bit of bleach occasionally in the dishwasher.
 
Well lets see, the dishwasher example shown is a 1970s GE with the light green raks. they probably have the water heater set very low and the machine does not do a water heat delay at all.
 
What's good for the gander is not good for the goose.

Since we been going green, use less is more useless and starting to show it's big head!
It looks like this is one area of water waste that should be kicked to the curb because this was never a major problem when these units used more water and phosphates.

As I looked back at my first Kenmore dishwasher, there was greasy gunk under the door rim that did not kill us.
The PP cycle consists of prewash, two rinses, heated main wash, two rinses and the heated/non heated dry cycle.
So what's going on with these eco dishwashers that now is becoming a life hindering problem?
 
Since we been going green, use less is more useless and star

Again, that is the "usual American" perspective as you are rushed at being (not-so) "eco friendly" instead of choosing it by yourselves.

And I must add that the article is mostly hysteria: read "...can possibly lead to disease" so it will never bring disease! It's like saying that drinking water can possibly lead to water intoxication! It could but you have to drink 5 liters of water at once! Who does that?!

Most new European dishwasher, can do an "eco" cycle that really cleans and sanitizes while using just 9-10 liters of fresh water and under a kW of electricity. Without problems of mold growth and similar.
Even the other "less" green machines can do quite good with an average of 12-16 liters per "eco" cycle and manage the same thing. And of course they didn't remove the ability to use a "classic" pots&pans cycle that uses almost twice the water and the energy but usually it's not needed because the results are good the same.
The difference as "Appnut" pointed out it that these machines will self heat the water and so there isn't problem of washing at a temperature not high enough to prevent molds. A new machine rated "A+" or "A-20%" will use only around 0,85 kWh of electricity for a wash but will guarantee a last rinse at 70°C (158 °F) to sanitize everything.
 
Stating the obvious

"it was discovered on the rubber band of the dishwasher door" means that it was discovered exactly on the only part of the dishwasher that is not cleaned by the washing process: that "rubber band" is simply the door seal.

By the way, the door seal is also the only part of the interior of the dishwasher that needs to be manually cleaned even when doing a maintenance wash and that can collect grime when the dishwasher is loaded (dishes can drop on the border of the open door where it gets in contact with the seal: if you don't clean, when you close the door the grime is trapped between the door and the seal and will not be washed away).

If I remember correctly, some dishwasher cleaning products recommend manually cleaning the door seal with some undiluted product before starting a maintenance wash.

There are rumors that "Which?" is studying the issue...
 
Makes you wonder...

Why don't the new dishwashers have a clean machine cycle? Which manufacturer will be the first to add one to the machine lineup?

Malcolm
 
Wouldn't running a high temp wash cycle do the same thing?  It still wouldn't do anything about mold growing on the door gasket.  I think the basic problem is lots of people don't maintain their appliances.   What is so hard about wiping down the gasket periodically when you notice any gunk building up?  More times than I care to count I've heard people say things like "My fridge is a piece of junk.  It's only a few years old and doesn't get cold anymore."  And when I ask "Do you vacuum off the cooling coils?"  you can guess what the answer is.  And vacuum cleaners that never get emptied or filters changed, toasters with so many crumbs in the bottom they're a fire hazzard.......the list goes on.
 
Why don't the new dishwashers have a clean machine cycle

I think this relates to under the rubber gard which sits under the bottom of the door, it doesnt get flushed & cleaned by any of the jets etc.....and have seen some rank ones in my time!!

Like you say preventative medicine, drop down the door, lift up the rubber flap and wipe clean with bleach!!
 
ALWAYS LEAVE THE DOOR AJAR AFTER EACH LOAD OF DISHES IS REMOVED!!!!!!

If it happens in washers,refrigerators and freezrs,it will sure as hell happen in dishwashers or ANY appliance that uses water if it's kept closed,not open,to let all the moisture and dampness that accumulates inside evaporate.I have a small piece of wood I use to keep my Kenmore convertible clean and sweet smelling.It keeps the door open enough to air the inside out.I keep all the washer doors wide open when not in use. The new Frigidaire Affinities have a small device on the door switch-lock that opens and holds the door open just enough for it to air out the inside. Great new feature!!
 
I clean my DW every month. I get on my knees, reach inside and wipe the sides, top and bottom, I clean the gaskets with warm soapy water since these are on the outside of the machine not the inside where hot water is, I rinse the filter and remove the arms and make sure they are not clogged. I wonder how many people are actually cleaning their DW?
 
I usually do the same thing too, Jared. I just clean the door seals, and anywhere where the water doesn't reach but snots like to build up. I check the filters and spray arms to see if any snots built up in there too. Then I send it through Rinse & Hold cycle empty just to wash it out.
 
The fungi I am not so worried about.  A little Liquid Chlorine Bleach takes care of that.  

As for the Anti-American comments, I think a high dose of ionizing radiation should do it.

 
 
I wipe the door seals and the metal mating surfaces of the door just prior to starting a cycle, each and every time I use the machine.

And I carefully flush the area where the bottom doorseal contacts the lip of the steel tub, with a small jug of hot tap water.

I can't use the "Normal Automatic" cycle in my machine (basically, a mainwash + 2 rinses) for anything remotely greasy, else everything has a greasy feel and a smell/taste. I think the wash temperature is pretty dire for this programme; I never feel much heat coming from the machine on this cycle.

I have to use the "Super Auto" programme (usually a mainwash + 3 rinses). Temperature is at least 60°C. I like my dishes to feel squeaky clean and taste-free.
 
another reason to produce a product for the gullible consumer to buy. Sanitise, schmanitise. I have never used one of those dishwasher cleaners and the inside of my machine is spotless. Bol**cks to the manufacturers and their 'essential' products.
 

Similar threads

sudsmaster
Why are we more scared of raw egg than reheated rice?
Replies
18
Views
71
joe_in_philly
joe_in_philly

Latest posts

Back
Top