General Question

Iclamae's avatar

How do you clean the dishwasher?

Asked by Iclamae (2412points) October 17th, 2009

My dishwasher is starting to smell a little funny. I was going to run it with soap and water (no dishes) to try to clean whatever is causing the smell out. I was wondering if I should add anything or just try hand washing it down?

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16 Answers

TitsMcGhee's avatar

There are tips for that here.

AstroChuck's avatar

We have an automatic dishwasher washer. I just put it in there and turn that on.

PandoraBoxx's avatar

I squirt toilet bowl cleaner in mine, and run it through for two full cycles.

poofandmook's avatar

@PandoraBoxx: Something about that sounds really really disgusting. I know it hasn’t been in the toilet… but… associating the toilet with the dishes.. blech. LOL

DarkScribe's avatar

You don’t. If it can clean dishes it can clean itself. You just remove residue from the trap when necessary.

patg7590's avatar

you just put it in the…oh shit

poofandmook's avatar

I just thought of something.

Comet makes this new bleach gel spray. I have it, and I love it. You could pick some up, squirt it all over in the dishwasher, and then run it for a cycle or two on hot.

aphilotus's avatar

I just read recently that you can use the non-sugared lemon koolaid packets – pour it into the box where the detergent usually goes- and they are basically powdered citric acid and clean all kinds of crap out of a dish washer.

PandoraBoxx's avatar

@poofandmook, bleach gel and toilet bowl cleaner are most likely the same thing in different packaging.

poofandmook's avatar

@PandoraBoxx: But one doesn’t say “toilet” on the package :D lol Unexplained and unfounded neurosis.

Strauss's avatar

I usually put a couple of ounces of bleach and run a cycle. If you are having extreme odor problems, you may want to follow @DarkScribe‘s advice and clean out the filters and/or traps, but I haven’t had to do that. My dishwasher is about 5 years old.

Iclamae's avatar

ok thanks guys, i’ll poke at it tomorrow. try running it alone. then try running it with baking soda if running it alone doesn’t work. :)

rooeytoo's avatar

@poofandmook – I get what you’re saying and I think I have the same unexplained and unfounded neurosis you do, heheheh!!!

breedmitch's avatar

I remember in the 70’s everybody just used Tang.

AskZilla's avatar

To prevent this, occasionally I add a little vinegar to the first finishing rinse. You can also add a tsp to the detergent cup

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