How to clean the dishwasher with homemade products (Vinegar and Baking Soda)

Is it time to clean the dishwasher and you don't know what products to use? Don't worry! We present a common method in many homes and it is the use of white vinegar and baking soda. These two ingredients make a perfect mixture that has disinfectant properties, eliminating grease and bad odor from inside the dishwasher.

vinegar and baking soda to clean dishwasher

Don't wait until signs begin to appear that your dishwasher can no longer handle so much dirt. Your dishwasher needs periodic cleaning and you have the solution very close by in your pantry: white vinegar and baking soda. Grab a pencil and paper and learn how to clean your dishwasher with homemade products! Here we show you what to do!


How to clean the dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda

Cleaning it with homemade products is an effective and low-cost option. Not only does it help eliminate impurities, but also lime and grease that end up accumulating and clogging certain parts of the dishwasher. We teach you how to use these homemade ingredients to clean the inside of your dishwasher below:

  1. The first thing you should do is unplug and empty the dishwasher of any dishes or utensils inside.
  2. Pour three cups of white vinegar into the appliance.
  3. In the detergent box you are going to put 3 tablespoons of baking soda. And you are going to program a normal wash cycle.
  4. At the end of the wash cycle, you will have a completely clean dishwasher, free of bad odors.
  5. Using a clean cloth, proceed to dry the inside of the dishwasher to remove any residue.

As we have already mentioned before, the properties of each product are unmatched. The vinegar will take care of the bad smell and eliminate bacteria. While baking soda will remove dirt in general. Together they are the perfect ally for the internal cleaning of your dishwasher.


Manual cleaning of the inside of the dishwasher

There are areas of the dishwasher where water does not reach when we do the usual washing cycle, so doing it manually is the only option to take care of those difficult areas. Follow the recommendations that we will give you below on how to keep your dishwasher clean inside:

Unplug the appliance: Before starting cleaning, verify that the dishwasher is turned off and disconnected from the electricity.

Collect waste: Remove the grates and trays that are inside the appliance. Make sure to wash them with warm water and mild detergent to get rid of any residue.

Mix the vinegar and baking soda: In a container you are going to mix one cup of vinegar and one cup of baking soda and you will obtain a paste.

Application of the mixture: On the dirty areas inside the dishwasher, apply the vinegar and baking soda paste. Especially in areas such as walls, rubber and doors. These are the places where grease and mold accumulate the most due to humidity.

Let it rest: After applying the paste to all areas of interest, let it sit for at least 15 minutes. During this time, the vinegar and baking soda will dissolve all the residue and disinfect everything, ridding you of bad odors.

Clean: With the help of a clean damp cloth or sponge, gently rub the areas where you placed the mixture and remove the dirt completely.

Rinse: This step is important, here you must rinse the inside of the dishwasher with hot water. This way, you ensure that you have removed any residue from the mixture you made with baking soda and vinegar.

Assemble the dishwasher: Return the racks and trays that you had removed to their place.

Stop drying: Finally, leave the dishwasher door open so it can dry completely.

Among the most efficient natural cleaners that we can count on at home are baking soda and white vinegar. It will leave the inside of your dishwasher sparkling without much effort. You can clean a multitude of things, from the refrigerator, microwave, among other appliances.


Automatic cleaning of the inside of the dishwasher with vinegar

White vinegar will always appear as a product that can help you a lot in your cleaning tasks. It has earned this fame thanks to its antimicrobial properties. So it acts as a natural disinfectant, perfect for eliminating bad odors. And if you want to do automatic cleaning inside the dishwasher, keep reading and discover how to use it:

  • Remove all dishes and utensils from the dishwasher, turn it off and disconnect the power.
  • You are going to pour 1 or 2 cups of vinegar where you normally put the bar of soap and close the compartment. It is important that you seal very well so that the liquid does not escape from that area.
  • Take care of adjusting the wash cycle program to its maximum temperature. This way, the vinegar can spread throughout the appliance.
  • When the wash cycle is finished, open the lid.
  • Take a clean towel and wipe it all over the inside of the dishwasher. Without neglecting any area so that it is completely clean.
  • You can repeat this last step of the washing cycle but without any product, this works to rinse the machine and prevent vinegar from remaining inside. And dry again with a clean towel.

In short, vinegar is an economical and practical solution if you want to keep your dishwasher clean. Its use is not limited only to adding flavor to meals, it is also a perfect companion for cleaning and disinfection routines. Have your bottle of vinegar on hand and use it to disinfect and eliminate bad odors.


Cleaning dishwasher blades with vinegar and baking soda

Dishwasher blades are rotating parts that are characterized by accumulating grease and dirt. Cleaning them must be recurring because it depends on them to ensure that the water flows throughout the entire dishwasher. As they are clogged due to lack of cleaning, they will not be able to fulfill their sprinkler function and your dishes will be dirty. We explain how to clean the blades with vinegar and baking soda:

  • Empty the dishwasher: After unplugging it, empty the dishwasher. Take care of removing all the plates and dishes that are there. In addition to the trays and racks.
  • Locate the blades: The blades or sprinklers are located one at the top and one at the bottom. Depending on the model of your equipment, you will be able to extract it completely or not. Likewise, rely on the manual that comes with your device and you will know how to remove the blades without problems.
  • Remove debris: Remove any debris that may be on the blades and in the holes in them. You can put it under running water to remove debris easily.
  • Soak them: If they have a lot of accumulated grease, let them soak in hot water and soap. After a few minutes that adhered fat will disappear. Then put them to dry.
  • Mix baking soda with vinegar: In a container, mix one cup of vinegar with one cup of baking soda. You will put this mixture on the blades that are already dry and let it act for 15 to 20 minutes. You will use a sponge to remove any grease or lime residue from these pieces.
  • Dry: Let them dry completely and check that they are completely clean. If there is any residue, repeat the procedure with the baking soda and vinegar.
  • It is recommended to clean the blades every 6 months, but this also depends on how you use your dishwasher. Remember to apply baking soda and vinegar so that your blades are free of grease, are disinfected and look shiny again.

    Although if you want another cleaning option that is environmentally friendly, you can use Natulim's 6-in-1 Eco Dishwasher Tablets. With just one pill you can have excellent results. It will give you: Shine, protection, extra drying and your dishwasher will be grease-free. You will enjoy a total cleanliness!


    Cleaning the dishwasher drain with vinegar and baking soda

    The drain is one of those elements in the dishwasher that are neglected by us and deserve special treatment to avoid blockages. The amount of waste and waste that passes through it every day is impressive. The best thing is that you don't need chemicals to keep it clean, just enough vinegar and baking soda to keep it free and working at its best. Grab paper and pencil and write down each step so you don't overlook any details!

    • Unplug the dishwasher and empty it completely. It must be free of grates and trays to be able to access the drain with ease.
    • Open the drain cover and clean the filter with running water. Free it of all debris and particles it may have.
    • First, pour hot water to remove layers of grease that may be blocking the pipe.
    • In a glass or cup, prepare a mixture of one part baking soda to three parts vinegar. Pour it into the drain and let it sit for approximately 20 minutes.
    • Test the dishwasher to check that everything is working well and that the drain is clean. Assemble the filters and start the dishwasher on a short cycle, which is normally the one with the highest temperature.
    • At the end of the cycle, leave the dishwasher door open to dry and prevent moisture buildup.

    Save yourself the scare and the call to the plumber and keep your dishwasher drain clean. Prevention is vital to prevent the drain of our dishwasher from becoming clogged. With these homemade products we will not only save our kitchen from possible flooding and bad odors, we will also be taking care of the environment.

    Pipe and drain cleaning products are highly toxic, both for the environment and for us humans. Let's always keep baking soda and white vinegar in mind as our natural allies for cleaning drains.


    Vinegar and baking soda: The homemade products that will clean your dishwasher

    We can pay a very high price for not cleaning the dishwasher properly. It is not only about bad odors or dirty dishes, but also that the appliance will lose its performance and may be damaged. Having a new dishwasher is surely not in your budget. So it's time to give it the attention it deserves.

    Vinegar and baking soda are homemade products that are in every home and many of us are unaware of their properties. So don't hesitate to clean your dishwasher with them, each piece is important because it fulfills a specific function. Don't neglect cleaning, schedule maintenance on your equipment and keep it sparkling.

    To stay informed about all the cleaning tips and tricks we have to offer, be sure to visit the Natulim blog.

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