Art was resting and surfing the web for fun when he spied something about cleaning your dishwasher. The inside of our 8 year old Bosch dishwasher seemed shiny enough. We didn't think there would be a problem. The website mentioned a bad smell being indicative of a dirty filter. They also stated that newer dishwashers came with a filter that should be cleaned.
What? What filter?
He took out the bottom dish rack and removed the filter cover and then the filter. What a shock!
The filter was 75% clogged with rock hard water deposits. Arrrghhh! And the water pooled at the bottom did smell.
Art tried scrubbing it with soap, water and a toothbrush which couldn't remove the calcium deposits so we soaked it in vinegar and water which loosened it enough to clean. I used a spoon to scrape some of the deposits off which was much more effective.
Do you clean out your dishwasher filter?
Art just read that you're supposed to clean your dishwasher once a month by pouring a cup of vinegar into your dishwasher and running it through a full cycle while empty.
I guess we'll be doing this from now on.
And here it is with the filter reinstalled.
Ummm... I just found the instruction manual for the dishwasher. It DOES say that the filter is supposed to be self cleaning, but we should check it "occasionally" for debris. It doesn't mention anything about hard water deposits though.
And wait... It also says to remove the spray arm and check to make sure that's not clogged too.
Sigh...
What? What filter?
He took out the bottom dish rack and removed the filter cover and then the filter. What a shock!
The filter was 75% clogged with rock hard water deposits. Arrrghhh! And the water pooled at the bottom did smell.
Do you clean out your dishwasher filter?
Art just read that you're supposed to clean your dishwasher once a month by pouring a cup of vinegar into your dishwasher and running it through a full cycle while empty.
I guess we'll be doing this from now on.
Ummm... I just found the instruction manual for the dishwasher. It DOES say that the filter is supposed to be self cleaning, but we should check it "occasionally" for debris. It doesn't mention anything about hard water deposits though.
And wait... It also says to remove the spray arm and check to make sure that's not clogged too.
Sigh...
I didn't know that. We've got a dishwasher but we rarely use it for anything other than a dish drainer. I guess I'd better check out whether or not it has a filter. :-)
ReplyDeletei do clean my dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer vents--but not as often as I probably should. Citric acid is good for cleaning a dish washer where the water is hard. I buy it when canning supplies are out in the summer, but someone told me orange Kool Aid works just as well. I have never tried that.
ReplyDeleteI've never had a dishwasher
ReplyDeleteWe have the same dishwasher. Every once in a while, run a little vinegar through. Once a year run a container of Finish through. We use the dishwashing soap with that acid in it too, but there is a small build up around the door no matter our efforts.
ReplyDeleteI've checked the spray arm, but not a filter. Sigh. Must get going...
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny! We have the exact same dishwasher and just made the same discovery Tuesday when we had been noticing an odor and decided to investigate.
ReplyDeleteOne of the commenters above is like me, so I had to laugh! In our house, I am the dishwasher. The kitchen cabinetry was built for a space for a dishwasher, but since my parents never had one, I chose not to have one, so that space is where I store the big container of dog kibble, and where the cats' waterbowl is located!
ReplyDeleteI accidentally removed a sprayer arm and could not get it back on and when I called the repairmen he fixed it in 5 seconds but was nice enough to say that he had to clean the whole dishwasher because he was going to be forced to give me a service charge. He completely cleaned it and I was amazed at what he found!
ReplyDeletewho knew?????!!!!
ReplyDeleteSomething else I never knew about. Don't know if mine is new enough to have a filter.
ReplyDeleteHum, wonder if 8 years falls into the occasional category? Good job again you two. My dishwasher has two legs and answers to Patti. .
ReplyDeleteI do clean my filter but it's attached so very hard to do. Yes vinegar and also oil shines things up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! I...I mean I let my husband inspect the area.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that most machines require maintenance. We hardly use our dishwasher.
ReplyDeleteI do not have a dishwasher. Well, yes I do...ME! But I do have a washing machine that seems to have an odor. I am definitely going to try the vinegar trick in it. Valuable post as always Kay!
ReplyDeleteWe just want those machines to be ready at our beckon call, not have to mess with them. There are dishwasher and washing machine cleaners available now. I hate to use the extra water to run things empty!
ReplyDeleteBlessings.....
ReplyDeleteBetter late than never i say. I have a dishwasher but I don't use it. I use the dishwasher God gave me, My two hands! Works great and I don't have to worry about filters! haha
One more nuisance thing to check, but thanks! LOL (p.s., it's Gwen, not Gwem. ;) )
ReplyDeleteI used to have the same Bosch dishwasher. It looked really nice but it lacked a disposal grinder that our old Amana one had, and it also drove me a bit batty because my dishes did not dry well unless I opened it up soon after the cycle was done.
ReplyDeleteI was so glad when I could get it changed out. Uncle did his research and we got a Maytag to replace it. It seems to me that it is mucho better. No smells, nice dry dishes.
I wish they would make littler dishwashers for people like me that only need a dishrack sized dishwasher.