Cleaning
An Unexpected Trick to Keep Your Dishwasher Smelling So Fresh, So Clean
We've unearthed an interesting use for NASA’s favorite drink.
Photo by Rocky Luten
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34 Comments
Dee
February 19, 2020
Put 1/2 cup white vinegar in a cup on the top rack every time you run your dishwasher. It eliminates water spots and keeps the appliance and the pipes clean. If the dishwasher is smelly, put a cup of vinegar in the bottom and run a cycle without dishes or soap.
Lauren B.
February 18, 2020
Would’ve liked to see the dishwasher be opened at the end of that cycle and see just how clean it got. Hummmmm.
Hilary L.
February 18, 2020
Made me want to immediately clean my dishwasher. I don 't have any Tang handy right now, but I have lots of packets of Emergen-C. Think they might work!
Helene R.
May 20, 2019
I’m 74 years old and when I read your suggestion about cleaning my dishwasher, I investigated my dishwasher and found the filter. Never knew it was here and I am embarrassed to admit that I never cleaned it before. It was eye opening. I washed it out and put in vinegar and my dishes looked great. Thank you.
BR95510
February 19, 2020
I have a Bosch and found mine right on the bottom under the lowest rack. It was very easy to remove and then I was able to dismantle it to clean it. And it needed it!! This is a great article!
tastysweet
February 19, 2020
My DW is GE Triton XL. Bought when we built our condo in 2003!!!
I was wondering! what looks like a 3”h cylindrical part on the left bottom side under the lowest rack. I bet that’s it. Will check the manual. I can’t possibly imagine, if it is, what it looks like. Think I will have my husband check it out😉.
Thank youBR95510
I was wondering! what looks like a 3”h cylindrical part on the left bottom side under the lowest rack. I bet that’s it. Will check the manual. I can’t possibly imagine, if it is, what it looks like. Think I will have my husband check it out😉.
Thank youBR95510
tastysweet
February 19, 2020
Went online and looked up my DW and found where the filter is. Not where I thought:)
Valerie
May 17, 2019
White vinegar is the way to go. Put a cup half full on the top rack & run the dishwasher. No odours. Of course, you have to clean the filter regularly. As to the washing machine: I just prop mine slightly open after each washday, and have no musty smells.
cosmiccook
May 16, 2019
Check w your manufacturer to make sure the citric acid doesn't erode certain seals and parts.
Sarah
May 16, 2019
I use a tablespoon of citric acid to run through the dishwasher once a month. I put all the glasses and Pyrex in for that load (no utensils or plates). It's kept the dishwasher like new.
Susan K.
May 16, 2019
I'm a big fan of Borax in both my the dishwasher and washing machine. I also use baking soda and vinegar in the dishwasher. Works really well.
Lindsay N.
May 16, 2019
Susan, when you use vinegar, do you just pour it in the bottom of the dishwasher before running it? How much do you use?
Susan K.
May 19, 2019
Hi Lindsay. I put baking soda in the bottom first followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Our water is hard with minerals and leaves the plastic inside of machine chalky looking and glassware spotty. BS and V are natural and do a great job all over the house.
Eva C.
August 2, 2019
I recently purchased Borox, at my husband's insistence, to deal with an ant problem. I've been using the leftover in my washing machine along with laundry soap and I've been surprised at the boost in whiteness it provides!
Susan
August 16, 2021
Susan do you put the baking soda in the soap tray? Where do you put the vinegar?
Susan K.
August 16, 2021
I put both vinegar and baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher before a load and wash as usual. Also if you use vinegar alone, pour into a little dishwasher safe cup, right side up, dishes and glassware come out sparkling.
marlene M.
May 16, 2019
A lot of stores do not sell tang any more.
Melissa R.
May 16, 2019
I live in South Carolina. Walmart sells Tang, usually on the same aisle as kool-aid or sometimes on the aisle with breakfast cereal. Bi-Lo sells Tang, too. It can be purchased on Amazon, too. I love drinking Tang! I don't mix it as sweet as the directions say to measure, usually use 1/2 or less mixed in a Gatorade bottle.
Kathleen
July 13, 2019
I haven't been looking for it, so it could be there and we are just ghosting each other.
FrugalCat
April 26, 2019
I have very hard, mineral-y water, and I have been using powdered citric acid in my dishwasher (And washing machine) for years. Lemi- shine sells it next to the dishwasher tablets, or you can buy it in bulk from Amazon.
Traveler
April 28, 2019
I have been using Lemi-Shine in my dishwasher for years as well. Never occurred to me to use it in the washing machine. Thanks for the suggestion!
Jaye B.
May 16, 2019
I wonder if LemiShine works better in the laundry washer than the products made specifically for that purpose. I was not as impressed as I expected with those.
Auntie D.
April 25, 2019
Karen, I use Citric Acid, you know, the stuff you buy for canning?
It's cheaper and a little goes a long way.
Simply fill the Soap Dispenser in the machine and run it on a normal cycle,
POOF!
Clean and fresh smelling Dish Washer.
It's cheaper and a little goes a long way.
Simply fill the Soap Dispenser in the machine and run it on a normal cycle,
POOF!
Clean and fresh smelling Dish Washer.
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