[boba7523]

Hello everyone, I have always cleaned my dishes by hand and have never used a dishwasher before. I currently have a dishwasher that's about 3 years old and I've only ran it a few times by accident (touched the buttons).

Anyways, my dishwasher sometimes gets very dirty such as the walls and the bottom would stain up. Do you guys recommend running bleach and vinegar in 2 different cycles to clean it? And for those that have tried this method, how effective was it cleaning those very tight spots in the dishwasher? Stains tend to build up inside tight spaces where it's nearly impossible to clean by hand and I was hoping this method could "rinse" those stains out.

Also, how often should I run my dishwashers to ensure they don't malfunction from lack of use?

Thanks guys!

[denman]

Also, how often should I run my dishwashers to ensure they don't malfunction from lack of use?
I would run it at least once a week.

You could run it with some vinegar. a couple cups should do.
There is also a powder dishwasher cleaner basically it is oxalic acid, it should be available at most appliance parts or dealer stores.

Add the cleaner, let the unit run for a minute or so then stop it and let the unit sit for 15 minutes then let it restart the cycle. This will give whatever cleaner you use some time to work.

Could be what you are seeing is algae/mold growth so when you do run it be sure to use heated dry.

[boba7523]

Originally Posted by denman

Also, how often should I run my dishwashers to ensure they don't malfunction from lack of use?
I would run it at least once a week.

You could run it with some vinegar. a couple cups should do.
There is also a powder dishwasher cleaner basically it is oxalic acid, it should be available at most appliance parts or dealer stores.

Add the cleaner, let the unit run for a minute or so then stop it and let the unit sit for 15 minutes then let it restart the cycle. This will give whatever cleaner you use some time to work.

Could be what you are seeing is algae/mold growth so when you do run it be sure to use heated dry.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I have some white wine vinegar, is that fine? (Hope i don't attract any fruit flies)

Also, I have baking soda as well which I plan on using to clean the dishwasher. I was watching an youtube video and the lady said to put the baking soda inside the compartment that [b]doesn't[/b[ seal and the vinegar inside the compartment that seals. For my dishwasher, would the sealed compartment be the big one in the picture below? (The big compartment is Main Wash & small compartment is pre-wash).

Please add a .jpg at the of this link to see the image.. Somehow this website will not allow images at all http://www.angelfire.com/creep/idkking2/photo

[denman]

I have some white wine vinegar, is that fine?
Yes that is the correct type of vinegar.

I could not see the your link so cannot comment.
I would just try the vinegar first.