Some Dishwasher Dos and Don'ts

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

04 Dec 2006 08:46 AM

Your dishwasher is your friend and as such it deserves its fair share of respect and attention. It does its best for you and your family day after day, without complaint or requests for overtime. So remember this old credo and you won't get into trouble: Ask not what your dishwasher can do for you but what you can do for your dishwasher. Political addresses aside, here are some tips that both you and your dishwasher will like.

Removing Dishwasher Film Fill the dishwasher with dirty dishes but leave out any silver or other metals. Talk to these pieces before hand to assure them that it's nothing personal and they too, in time, will get their proper turn at things. Place a shallow bowl with ½ cup bleach in the bottom rack and allow the machine to run through the wash cycle only. Fill the same bowl with ½ cup of vinegar and this time allow the machine to run its full cycle. This will insure a film-free inside if you do it occasionally. (This does not work for microfilm.)

Removing Dishwasher Stains A quick way to get rid of those yellow stains in your dishwasher is to first allow the empty machine to fill for a wash. Then add a package of flavored orange or lemon crystals (the kind you make drinks out of, but don't even consider it). Allow the wash and rinse cycle to complete. You can also rub the dishwasher's interior down with mineral oil, but do not consider this procedure in the presence of anyone athletic. Otherwise, you may have to rub down them too, and one has only so much mineral oil on hand.

Dishwasher Odor Run the wash cycle for 30 seconds to add water to the bottom of the washer. Then pour in one-cup baking soda and let stand overnight. Restart the cycle in the morning and all will be sweet that ends well (or something like that). Happy dishwasher tips and do YOU have any to share?

Related Reading:

Some More "Hot" Oven Cleaning Tips"

http://forums.families.com/kitchen-baths-amp-bedrooms,f392

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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