You use your dishwasher all the time. That may be true now more than ever if you’re at home cooking a lot. After a while, gunk starts to build up inside. And since you’re trying to get your dishes clean, that’s the last thing you want.

If you take good care of your dishwasher, which means to clean regularly, it’ll work better. Plus, it’ll last longer. But here’s the best part. You don’t have to spend a ton of money on expensive cleaning products. Check out these tips on how to get your dishwasher sparkling clean.

Use baking soda and vinegar

One of the easiest ways to clean just about anything in your home is with baking soda and vinegar. This combo can help get rid of gunk unlike anything else. And since it’s so affordable, it’s easy to use regularly. First, run a cycle with a cup of white vinegar in the top rack. Then, run another hot cycle with baking soda sprinkled in the bottom of the appliance.

What about the crooks and crannies?

While the method above is highly effective, you may still need to clean out the smaller parts of your dishwasher. An easy way to do that is with a toothbrush. This will help you get into all those tricky corners and grooves that are hard to reach.

Try using essential oils

Have you ever used essential oils before? They’re a perfect way to give 1your dishwasher a clean and fresh smell. Just add some lemon or citrus-scented essential oil in the soap compartment of your dishwasher at the same time you use the vinegar and baking soda method.

Don’t forget the filter

There’s a filter in your dishwasher and if not cleaned, it can get pretty gross. That’s especially true if you run a lot of loads throughout the month. For this, you’ll want to clean it about once a week. This simple step can make a big difference in how clean your dishes end up.

Check the course filter, too

You may be able to get most of the gunk with the cleaning methods mentioned. But there’s one more place you should check so you know everything is fresh. That’s under the course filter. Since a ton of gunk can build up here, you’ll want to scrub it every once in a while. It’s easy to do using a baking soda and white vinegar paste.

Homemade dishwasher cleaner

There are tons of expensive dishwasher cleaners on the market but like most people, you probably don’t want to spend your money that way. Luckily, you can make a dishwasher cleaner for cheap. Just mix one and a third cup of citric acid, two teaspoons of lemon essential oil, and two-thirds cup of baking soda. When mixed, you’ll have a cleaner that can handle even the toughest jobs.

With the information provided, you have everything you need to keep this vital appliance sparkling clean. These methods are great for both occasional and regular cleaning. Remember, not only will your dishwasher smell great but it’ll also work better. And that means less time scrubbing dishes by hand.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Cooktop Cove, Good Housekeeping