How to Clean Hard Water Residue From Inside Your Dishwasher

Dishwashers sometimes need cleaning themselves.

As wonderful as dishwashers are when it comes to producing spotless dishes, sometimes they need a cleaning themselves. Hard water residue can build up over time and interfere with the cleaning process. Fortunately, everyday household items can be used to remove the mineral buildup.

Things You'll Need

• Orange Tang (powder)
• Lemon flavored drink mix (i.e. Country Time, Kool-Aid)
• Distilled white vinegar
• A cup or a bowl

Instructions

1. Remove any dishes from the dishwasher. Pour the Tang powder into the part of the dispenser where you put the dish soap (if you have two compartments you can put it in both). The ascorbic acid in Tang should remove the hard water residue. Other powdered drink mixes, such as Kool-Aid should work also; check to make sure they contain ascorbic acid.

2. Close the door, turn on the dishwasher and let it run for a full regular cycle.

3. If that doesn't remove all the hard water stains, try white vinegar instead. Pour 1 cup of the distilled white vinegar into a cup or bowl and place it right-side up in the top rack. Close the door and run a full regular cycle.

References

• Do It Yourself: Kitchen Cleaning Tips