Home Life & Style Dishwashers stay 'clean and fresh' with 'incredibly budget-friendly' hack – costs just...

Dishwashers stay 'clean and fresh' with 'incredibly budget-friendly' hack – costs just 35p


Dishwashers need to be regularly cleaned if they are working at their best. Plus, leaving your dishwasher without regular cleaning can result in some unwanted smells. However, when it comes to keeping your dishwasher “clean and fresh”, experts from Plumbworld say that it doesn’t have to break the bank.

The kitchen and bathroom experts explained you can keep your dishwasher “fresh and odour-free” in eight simple steps.

“White vinegar is an affordable and effective cleaning agent that’s perfect for removing odours and dissolving grease,” said Plumbworld.

“It’s a natural disinfectant and deodoriser, which makes it ideal for keeping your dishwasher clean and smelling fresh. Plus, a small bottle of white vinegar can be purchased for as little as 30p in many stores, making this hack incredibly budget-friendly.”

Express.co.uk conducted an independent search and found a bottle of white vinegar can be purchased from Tesco and from Sainsbury’s for 35p.

Plumbworld explained that vinegar works to clean and deodorise because it “is a mild acid that breaks down grease, grime, and odours without damaging your dishwasher”.

The experts added: “It’s safe for use on stainless steel, plastic, and rubber parts, making it a versatile and effective cleaner. Moreover, because it’s a natural product, you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals or residues being left behind.”

Head to your local supermarket, discount store, or even a corner shop where you can find white vinegar at a very low cost.

Plumbworld said: “Look for a small bottle—around 300ml—priced at approximately 30p. This amount will be more than sufficient for multiple uses, but today we’ll focus on using a small portion for a single clean.”

Before cleaning you should ensure your dishwasher is empty. “This hack works best when the dishwasher is free of any dishes, allowing the vinegar to circulate freely and clean all the interior surfaces,” explained the experts.

“Take out any racks or removable parts, and check for any food debris or build-up that might be lingering at the bottom. Remove any particles you find to prevent clogging and further odours.”

Pour about 200ml of white vinegar into a small, dishwasher-safe cup or bowl. “This quantity is sufficient to neutralise odours and clean your dishwasher without wasting any product,” continued Plumbworld.

“If you’re using a 300ml bottle of vinegar, you’ll have enough left for another use, making this hack even more cost-effective.”

Set the cup or bowl of vinegar on the top rack of your dishwasher.

The expert explained: “Placing it on the top ensures that the vinegar will be evenly distributed throughout the dishwasher as the cycle runs, reaching every nook and cranny. This step is key to ensuring the entire interior is thoroughly cleaned and deodorised.”

Set your dishwasher to the hottest cycle available. This will help the vinegar to break down grease, grime, and food particles that may have accumulated over time.

“Let the cycle run completely, allowing the vinegar to do its work,” said Plumbworld.

“The steam from the hot water will also help the vinegar penetrate all the surfaces, making this an effective and thorough clean.”

Once the cycle is complete, the experts say the white vinegar should have neutralised the smells, leaving your dishwasher fresh and ready for use. Plumbworld’s experts added: “The interior should be shinier, as the vinegar helps to remove soap scum and hard water deposits.”

For an added touch, you can sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher before running a short rinse cycle.

“This will further deodorise the machine and leave it smelling even fresher,” said Plumbworld. “Baking soda is another inexpensive ingredient, and using a small amount won’t cost much, keeping this hack within the budget of 30p.”

This process should be repeated around once a month, according to the experts.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here