How to Clean the Dishwasher Drain Using the Wash Cycle

Dishwashers are meant to keep themselves clean, aren't they? Well, no, not really. Soap suds, grime and hard water stains can clog the walls and drain of your dishwasher, leading to less than sparkling dishes and costly repairs. No need to scrub, though--use the dishwasher's cycle to clean and sanitize. Plan to do this preventive maintenance every 3 months or so.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 cup household bleach
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 large heavy bowl (not metal)

1. Start with an empty dishwasher. Pour 1 cup household bleach into a sturdy (non metal bowl). Set in bottom rack of dishwasher.

2. Start the dishwasher and run through one complete cycle with just the bowl of bleach inside.

3. Open dishwasher and pour a cup of vinegar inside the bowl.

4. Run through a complete cycle again.

5. Open dishwasher and remove bowl. Your dishwasher is now cleaned and sanitized.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also load the top rack of the dishwasher with glasses to remove hard water stains from them.
• Don't put any metal objects (silverware or bakeware) in dishwasher during this process.