Freshen your dishwasher: The vinegar solution for efficiency

The dishwasher is one of the most valuable appliances in the kitchen, saving time and energy. However, food residues, grease, and limescale can accumulate over time, causing it to lose efficiency. Unpleasant odours, cloudy dishes, and clogged filters are just some of your problems. Fortunately, there is a simple way to refresh and thoroughly clean the dishwasher – just one cup of vinegar. Vinegar, known for its cleaning and disinfecting properties, is perfect as a dishwasher cleaning agent.

Vinegar is a versatile product found in almost every kitchen. Its natural cleaning and disinfecting properties make it an ideal agent for refreshing and disinfecting the dishwasher. Here’s how to easily clean your dishwasher with vinegar. Prepare 250 millilitres of this product.

Preparation and cleaning:        

1. Start by emptying the dishwasher of all dishes and cutlery. Ensure the filter is clean – if necessary, remove it and wash it under running water, removing any food residues and debris.
2. Pour 1 cup of vinegar into a bowl or cup that is dishwasher safe. Place the container on the top rack of the dishwasher. The vinegar will disperse throughout the appliance's interior during the wash, effectively removing limescale, grease, and unpleasant odours.
3. Select the longest washing cycle with hot water (preferably 60 degrees Celsius or more). Make sure the programme is without drying to avoid intense vinegar evaporation.
4. Let the dishwasher go through the entire washing cycle. The vinegar will dissolve deposits, remove grease, and disinfect the dishwasher interior.
5. After the cycle is complete, you can perform additional cleaning by sprinkling 1 cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and running a short wash cycle. The baking soda will help remove any remaining vinegar and refresh the dishwasher.

Vinegar is a natural cleaner with many advantages:      

• removes limescale and deposits: thanks to acetic acid, vinegar effectively dissolves limescale, hard water deposits, and grease that can accumulate in the dishwasher,
• refreshes and removes odours: vinegar neutralises unpleasant odours, leaving the dishwasher fresh and ready to use,
• disinfects: vinegar has natural antibacterial properties that help fight bacteria and mould that can develop in the moist environment of the dishwasher,
• is eco-friendly and safe: vinegar is a natural substance that contains no chemicals or toxins, making it safe for the environment and household members.

To keep your dishwasher in good condition, it's recommended to perform such cleaning every month or every two months, depending on usage frequency. Although vinegar is effective in cleaning, it can damage some metal parts, such as stainless steel. Therefore, avoid direct contact of vinegar with the dishwasher's metal parts.

Vinegar is a versatile, natural cleaner that works excellently for refreshing and disinfecting the dishwasher. Adding one cup of vinegar to your dishwasher can significantly improve its performance, remove deposits and unpleasant odours, and extend the appliance's lifespan. This is a simple way to keep your dishwasher in perfect condition, easily done at home.