Cleaning the dishwasher: How to get everything really clean

The dishwasher is a real blessing and takes a lot of the housework off our hands. However, to keep it running smoothly for a long time and make sure everything is nice and clean, you should clean it regularly and pay attention to a few things. With these tips, everything will run smoothly.

Damit sie lange rund läuft, sollte auch die Spülmaschine regelmäßig gereinigt werden.© iStock
If the dishwasher is no longer running properly or the dishes are not shiny and fragrant, there are a few tricks.

Perhaps you are familiar with this situation: the dishwasher is finished, but the result is far from satisfactory. The glasses have a dull haze, the plates are not really clean or there is an unpleasant smell. Fortunately, there is usually an explanation for all these problems.

The water is not draining

Water is standing in the machine.
This helps: clean the drain. Food residue has probably built up here and blocked it.

Slow drainage

... after a short time.
This helps: The drain hose is twisted and has kinks. Unfortunately, this often happens. A tradesman can fix it.

Powder

Is the compartment in the dishwasher full of leftovers? The tab isn't dissolving properly? Annoying. Either it didn't get enough water because it was covered or the program was a little too short.
This helps: Put the powder in a tea filter, close it with a clip and put it in the top compartment. It dissolves here.

Food residue remains

If the dishes are not really clean after washing, it may well be due to the loading technique.
This helps: Heavily soiled items belong at the bottom. Place glasses, cups and bowls at the top. The handle of cutlery should be at the bottom. Make sure that the spray arms are not blocked.

Dark crumbs on dishes

These dark crumbs on glasses and cups, which are usually only found in the upper basket, are annoying. This is usually caused by the rinsing water not being able to drain quickly enough.
Tip: The drain hose is probably blocked. Or something has got stuck in the holes in the spray arms. Clean with a needle and water.

Everything is cold

The dishwasher only works in cold mode.
This helps: Either the heating or the built-in thermostat is defective. The specialist must
to it.

Dirty dishes

Glasses, plates and cutlery are still really greasy after washing.
This helps: The machine needs a thorough clean. Rinse the sieve and spray arms thoroughly.

Disgusting smell

Over time, deposits build up which can cause unpleasant odors in the dishwasher.
This helps: Add the peel of a lemon to the cutlery basket. After one or two runs, the machine will smell nice again. Alternatively, spread half a cup of vinegar on the bottom of the machine and run an empty cycle. Dissolves deposits and restores freshness.

Machine smells

Food residue has built up in the corners. Or the drain hose has a kink and germs are collecting there. Clean it, put two tablespoons of baking soda on the floor and let it run.

Coffee stains in cups

... or tea deposits.
This helps: soak with water and a little baking soda before running the dishwasher. This will loosen the stubborn stains.

Rusty cutlery

Knives, forks and other cutlery have rust stains.
This helps: Place some aluminum foil in the cutlery basket. It attracts the rust.

Matte glasses

Do your glasses look milky after washing? Limescale deposits are often to blame. Water that is too hard is usually the cause.
This helps: Descale the dishwasher and readjust the water softener in your dishwasher - as specified in the manual. You can make glasses that are already dull shine again with a microfiber cloth or citric acid. If there are scratches that make the glass milky, unfortunately nothing will help.

Wet dishes

The dishwasher no longer dries properly.
This helps: Sometimes it is enough to change the tabs. They should definitely contain enough rinse aid.


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