How to clean and maintain my dishwasher

Last Update date : Jul 21. 2022

Regular maintenance and routinely cleaning your dishwasher will maintain the washing and drying performance. Soft water is ideal for the best performance of the dishwasher. Find out how to clean a dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda in the following step-by-step guide. 

Why does my dishwasher needed salt?

You may have experienced white spots or chalk marks inside of your dishwasher. 

Hard water contains a high amount of minerals like calcium and magnesium that build up over time and can leave a scaly white residue.

Because of hard water, a white grime will keep accumulating and degrade the device's performance. Therefore, it is best to use soft water in the dishwasher when possible. To prevent the accumulation of hard water residue, use a water softener or home filter. 

If it's not an option to choose the water type, put salt into the salt compartment of the dishwasher to make the water soft. 

dishwasher inside
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Step 1.
Open the door and take out the lower basket inside. Normally the salt compartment is at the bottom of the machine, near the filter.

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Step 2.
Turn the lid of the salt compartment clockwise.

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Step 3.
Put about 1.5kg of salt in the salt compartment. Use a small funnel to ensure all the salt goes in the hole.

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Step 4.
Turn the lid anti-clockwise to lock the salt compartment.

Keeping your dishwasher clean

Try to deep clean the inside of the dishwasher once every six months to keep it running optimally.

Vinegar helps remove food particles, grease, detergent debris, and other residues left inside the dishwasher. 

Step 1. Open the door and take out all dishes and baskets inside.

Step 2. Fill a dishwasher-safe cup/bowl with 1 cup of white vinegar and Citric Acid 1:1 (about 250ml) and place it in the bottom of the empty dishwasher. 

Step 3. Close the door and start the basic wash cycle.

Note: It is recommended to set the cycle with warm water.

Step 4. When the cleaning cycle has finished, open the door and take out the cup. 

dishwasher how to clean a dishwasher with vinegar

Baking soda can remove stains and freshens your dishwasher. When the first cleaning cycle with the vinegar has ended, run another short wash cycle with baking soda.

Step 1. Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda along the bottom of the dishwasher.

Step 2. Run it on a short cycle. 

Step 3. When the cycle ends, open the door and ventilate the dishwasher. 

  • If you have hard water, descale the device when you see white grime or chalk marks on the inside.
  • If the device has its own cleaning and sterilization cycle, it is recommended to run it every month. The sterilization cycle is hotter and works longer than the normal cleaning cycle, so it is effective in removing bacteria and impurities.
  • Set the temperature to 120° - 150°F. If the water is not at least 120°, it’s not hot enough to clean inside effectively.

Note: 

  • Illustration images on this content may vary depending on the device model you have.
  • Available technologies and functions may vary depending on the country, service provider, network environment, or product.

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