I was just advised recently by the d/w repairman to run a bleach cycle through every so often in the empty dishwasher (as well as the washing machine), no detergent, just bleach.

Terri,
Curiosity made me take look into my DW w/a flashlight, didn't see a thing. Mine has a stainless steel interior, I don't know what difference it makes, if any though.

The only brands I use are either Electrasol, or Cascade, of these two & whichever is on sale is what I'll grab.

Lucy

I use Glisten once a month. It's in the grocery store right by the detergents.

/tricia

Here is a link that might be useful: Glisten D/W Cleaner

No stains, rust or anything else that I can see in there.

I did pick up a bottle of dishwasher magic recently but haven't used it yet. I figured once a year couldn't hurt anything.

Nancy

I just use plain old citric acid, I get it at the health food store and it's about $3 a bottle. I fill the detergent dispenser with it and run it empty through a cycle.

I have really hard water and mine gets those rusty brown stains from the iron, citric acid takes them right off.

Annie

You're supposed to clean it?

OH my goodness I've never cleaned my dishwasher! It's stainless steel.. but tonight I'll pour some bleach in there, just for ha-ha's.

The things you learn.....

LOL! "You're supposed to clean it?" I've been keeping house for way too many years than I want to disclose here - and- I have never cleaned my dishwasher. I give it a thorough inspection every time I empty it and there is no mold, no rust, no nothing.

But maybe I'll run some bleach through it now and then just for good measure.

('Course...I'm one of those people who cleans everything with hot water and a brush before I fill the dishwasher.)

Time to buy a new one Terri.... lol

Just kidding.... Sorta... The newer ones vent the moist air so you don't have to worry about mold... At least my new KitchenAid does and the salesman used that as a selling point... Which didn't influence me, I just wanted another stainless steel dish washer, inside and out... Anyway, you're not alone, apparently others have had mold problems...

But getting back to your question... In all my years I've never actually cleaned my dish washer ( always had stainless steel ) but, every once in a while, I do put bleach or vinegar in when I wash the dishes... I use the bleach when one of us is sick and the vinegar when I *think* the glassware looks foggy...

Oh, wait a minute, I did clean a dish washer once, when we first moved in, I had to hand wash it... The previous owners apparently had watermelon and didn't remove the seeds before placing the dishes in the washer and the soft food grinder pulverized most of the seeds... I ended up with black and white grit all over my very first load of dishes...

Rita

I would be hesitant to run bleach through the dishwasher. Wouldn't that be hard on the rubber seals/gaskets?

If someone reading this post does run bleach through regularly, it would be informative to hear if there is a bad affect or not.

Thanks.

I'll occasionally run Tang through it - the only good use for Tang. But I prefer using vinegar. I'll dump a whole gallon of vinegar into the dw, run it through a cycle, and it'll be so sparkly afterward. That's what my dw repairman told me to do. Just like Rita said, I'll do that when glasses start looking foggy, and the dishwasher starts getting deposit looking stuff on the sides. I have a stainless interior, by the way.

Sally

Teri are you using a liquid or powdered detergent? I think the liquid ones are like glue--just try and dissolve some in a glass of water, it won't happen. I've always used Cascade powder and never had a problem. Over on the laundry forum they also recommend that you run a load of powdered Cascade through and empty washing machine. If you search further you'll see that there's some type of scum that builds up in the washing machine from liquid fabric softeners and detergents.

I was going to mention Tang as well... I heard about it on the cleaning forum at least 7 years ago on this site.

I throw dishes in my machine that are so dirty they'd make a normal homemaker cringe. It has a plastic interior... I've never noticed a problem. I do care a little about the cosmetics and would probably clean it if it started to get dingy. The only real benefit I can think of would me if it improved the power of the spray jets by clearing them out.

My oven isn't self cleaning... I'd like to think of the disbwasher as being such... water and detergent spray around every time I run it!

I do however wash, wax, and polish vacuum cleaners...

Bleach is DEATH on the internal rubber gaskets and some of the plastic bits.

No bleach. There are some commercial dishwasher cleaners out there. For the most part they seem to be mostly citric acid.

Tricia, I've looked at the cleaners and never have seen that kind...

Rita, it's only just barely 3 years old.

The only stainless steel on mine is the front outside panel..the inside is plastic.

I was using liquid with baking soda and Jet Dry.
I switched to ElectroSol pillows.
I guess I'll go back to the Pomolive with baking soda and Jet Dry seperate. ~oooh that's some serious spelling problems~

i use bleach or vinegar and at times i've used tang (which i also drink and enjoy, thank you very much). i don't run it as an empty wash, i incorporate it into my wash cycle. i can't see wasting the water or the energy. i've never had a problem with mold or rubber gaskets/seals giving out and i run a load once, sometimes twice, a week. i also rarely use the dry cycle. i stop the dishwasher when it gets to that point, open it and let everything air dry. i also only run it at night - not that it matters, but since i was talking about my "habits", thought i'd include that information!

maryanne

I run a load pretty much every day, atleast every other day. In the summer I air dry them like you describe Maryanne.

Had my old dishwasher since 1982 and never had a problem with the gaskets from using bleach... In fact the dishwashing liquid I used to use contained bleach... Sun something or other... Haven't seen it in the stores lately or I'd still buy it... I used a powdered detergent in the dishwasher that was here when I moved in but sometimes it all didn't dissolve and I'd end up with powder on the dishes... Been using liquid ever since... Well, unless I get a real good bargain on the powdered stuff... lol

Rita

I used Cascade back east, but Electrasol seems to do a better job out here. Once a month I run it with a cup of vinegar in it.

Bleach is safe on most D/W interiors when used with restraint, but most people want to pour in a quart of the stuff with a few tablespoons is plenty. When I worked in restaurants that had stainless walls, we were advised not to use a lot of bleach on the stainless walls in the kitchen, though, because it made the stainless look cloudy over time.

I've always used Cascade powder. This dishwasher is 10 years old. The dw in my previous house was about 18 years old. I've not had a problem with either one of them - ever. My glasses never fog over (but my mom's do) and I would feel bad right now about running an empty machine because we are in a severe drought area.

Like Maryanne, I only run the dishwasher once or twice a week. But when I had two boys at home with the previous dw I ran it almost every day.

Rita- your story about hand washing the diswasher reminded me of having to vacuum the oven when we first moved into our house.

I've had an actual, working dishwasher for just over a year. I've got to join in on the chorus of "you're supposed to wash them?"

Nina

I just used a flashlight to check inside mine. All clean! I use a dishwasher cleaner once in a while, mine is plastic inside and on occasion it picks up color from stuff. I use Cascade Plastic Booster to clean it then. That also works to remove stains from plastic items you can wash in the dishwasher. I do clean the gasket on a monthly basis though. The detergent always seems to build up on the gasket. I use Cascade, usually the original liquid in lemon scent, sometimes the powder. I used the stuff with the enzymes for a while, but it did not seem to work better, and it cost a lot more. I also use Jet Dry in mine. I saw some Jet Dry Dishwasher Cleaner recently, I was thinking about trying it, just to see if it really would make the inside all pretty, not that anyone else looks in there!

I'm in the "you're supposed it clean it?" camp. In all the years I've had a dishwasher, I've never cleaned one and didn't know you were supposed to. I live in an area that has pretty good, i.e. soft, water, so that may make a difference. I also live in the south where mold can be a problem, but I've never seen any in my dishwasher (or washer). I only use my dishwasher maybe once a month or so, as there's only one of me and I'm a person that actually enjoys handwashing dishes. (That's when I solve the world's problems.)

I sometimes wonder if all these new products that are on the market are just there to make $$$ and to make us feel that we're negligent if we don't feel the need to use them.

I hope bleach is ok to use on gaskets. I've used it very occasionally in my dishwasher, but quite often on the gaskets on my refrigerator & freezer. I've read several times that it is the best thing to use to remove/prevent mold from forming on them.

Will the bleach get rid of the grime that builds up at the bottom of the door? Or is that from using too much detergent. I have soft water and still haven't figured out how much is enough. I have a septic tank so I use a detergent that is safer for them, I get it at the natural food store...no chlorine bleach. (Bleach kills the good organisms in the septic tank and we don't want to do that)

Also, I have acidic water and have noticed that several of the posts on the racks are rusting. The d/w is only 4 years old. Is it from the acidic water or what?

I too run my d/w at night. And only hand clean around the door when the buildup is too much to take. But I've noticed that rust spots are starting on the door. I also don't rinse off the dishes very well and only run it every 3 days. I've had to clean out the spray bars because they were clogged, but otherwise that's it on the cleaning.

Mine is SS inside, too and always looks as clean as a whistle in there. I do have to clean out a filter every once in awhile -- a mesh thingy in the bottom. If I notice that there is any residue on the dishes after washing, that's a sign that the filter needs cleaning.

I use Cascade powder and a rinse agent, which is what the manufacturer recommends. Mine is a Bosch.

My old Hotpoint was horrible inside. I remember the walls were white but I can't remember if they were plastic or metal. I'd stick the upper half of my body in there and scrub, but it always remained brown-ish. I never tried Tang, but had heard that it works. I guess if it's good enough for the astronauts, then it's good enough for the dishwasher, but I'd never drink it!

Terri, it might be the humidity in your area that is causing the mildew. I know when we lived in FL mildew in my DW was a problem especially around the door seal. Even my tupperware would mildew if not allowed to thoroughly dry before putting in the cupboard. I can not for the life of me remember what I used to clean the DW though but I know it wasn't bleach.

Since moving back to the Midwest, I've had no problem with mildew in any of my appliances and no fleas on the animals either!

Michelle

When I saw the title of this post I thought she meant how to clean the doors of your dishwasher - so obviously I too am in the camp of, "You clean it?!" and ok, what is the deal with Tang? I didn't even know they still made that - but what about Tang makes it a good cleanser? For those of you who put vinegar in - if you don't just fill your detergent cap with it, where do you "dump" it when you put it in? The things I learn on this forum....

Well Michelle, it has been exceptionally moist lately..And the mold wasn't stained, it came right off, so it is a recent development.

Blueiris, Tang has alot of citric acid in it.

Bleach wise, the lady the runs our county food service health checks, advises that bleach becomes useless if you over use it in your "sanitizing" wash. I think it's simply 1 T per gallon or some ridiculous low ratio. Oh and anything scented has less sanitizing power than plain ol regular bleach.

I too have septic,,, and well water. So I do get some water spot build up, and try to limit my chemicals that go down the drain.

I sometimes think I was suckered into a crappy dishwasher too. I didn't know anything about them. And the guy assured me that this was a very popular machine for the price. When I replace it...I know where to go for research and market testing..LOL When it changes cycles it is LOUD...and he said it was quiet..I have a small house..so unless it's whisper soft we'd hear it..but down the hall with the door closed and the tv on in the furthest room from the kitchen...sounds like it's in the room with you when it shifts "gears".

Okay, well I'm going to try and remember to let the dishwasher door stay open a bit after it's done, and maybe switch to Electrosol hard tabs verus the pillows I've been using.

Terri, try using a packet of lemonaid Kool-Aid. I have a friend that swears by it. I haven't tried it myself yet cuz' I just got cleaning mine when she told me about it.

Sue~thanks..I've always got that in the pantry..my guys are Koolaid~aholics~
I'll toss one in the next round of dishes..It's doing yesterdays dishes right now. LOL

minsue67 beat me to it!

I've used kool-aid lemonade for awhile now. I don't get mold, but I do get a LOT of rust stains from the heavy iron in our water.
One packet of unsweetened lemonade, an empty washer run and it sparkles again! I haven't tried adding it to a load with dishes........it "feels weird" to wash my dishes in lemonade. :+)

I tried plain citric acid, like Annie uses, but at least for me, the kool-aid worked better.
I love anything that cleans automatically.......no elbow grease from me!! (grin)

And now that I think about it, I'm due to "clean" again!

Deanna

hmmm...something to think about Deanna..but being on Septic..and having a high water table..and it being high rain season..I don't have alot of spare gallons I can put down the drain right now.

I don't think I'm bothered by lemonade flavored ziploc containers..
~once I tried a dishwasher detergent that was "citrus" scented..you could "taste" it in the plastic...BLECH...

I never though to use kool-aid to clean the dishwasher, but it sure does a great job cleaning toilets! And it smells good too! I forgot to mention that I always leave the door open a bit when my machine is not in use, otherwise it does not dry out. I guess that could cause problems.

I know what you mean Terri, we're on septic too. Luckily there's a small river nearby and we haven't had issues with the high water table.
I DOES feel wasteful to run it empty. I may have to try it, I guess lemonade flavored dishes wouldn't be so bad.
I wonder if it will be as effective. Won't know till I try!!

Deanna

I never though to use kool-aid to clean the dishwasher, but it sure does a great job cleaning toilets!

Thanks so much for posting this information on the Kool-aid and toilets. Who would have thought!! We just installed 6 new toilets and my plumber warned me against using toilet cleaners because it will corrode the something-or-other which is rather expensive to replace on our Totos.

Next time I'm at the grocery store I am getting some packets of Lemon Kool-aid!

Michelle

Terri, I think it is your climate and your water.

On a rare occasion, I will clean crud out of the filter of our machine but otherwise, the inside stays really clean, or as clean as I can see. I'm in the"If it ain't broke..." camp and will leave well enough alone.

Ok, Nina, ya gotta tell me... WHY you had to vacuum the oven... lol

MaxMom, I hear ya, kinda like the microwave cleaner...

BlueIris, when the dishwasher starts to fill I just open the door and add the vinegar ( about 1/2 a cup ) or bleach ( between 1/4 & 1/2 cup )...

Hmmm, I use bleach in the toilet too.. I pour some in, let it sit a couple of hours, give it a few swishes then flush... Make sure hubby flushes before using ( ammonia and bleach do not mix well.. lol ) and never put bleach in the tank, it turns the 'rubber' stuff in there to mush...

Rita

I'm in the "you're supposed to clean it?" camp too!

Our dishwasher is less than a year old (a SS Bosch) and so far, it's a dream. Never knew you had to clean anything other than the filter and maybe around the outside seal every now and then. We also use Electrosol, as I always seemed to think Cascade left a soapy residue on our dishes, especially tupperware.

Rita- since you asked...

It was a gas stove with unsealed burners, no drip pans. When I lifted up the (entire) top of the stove in order to clean beneath & around the burners I found about a pound of uncooked pasta, AA batteries, a fork, some plastic jar tops and decades worth of crumbs and detritus. It was like an archaeological dig. I scraped out what I could & just vacuumed the rest.

BTW- I'm going to pick up some lemon kool aid today too! This weekend the dishwasher's getting washed and the toilets are getting cleaned. My husband won't know what's wrong with me.

Nina

I've had a couple of problems with my 10 year old DW recently, and got both manufacturer's (Maytag) and DW repairman's input. I also got some advice from my kitchen GC, for whatever that was worth.

Sometimes grime can build up around the door gasket. Wipe down once in awhile. Seals are made of rubber; rubber will deteriorate. Best kind of detergent for MY dishwasher is powdered. Liquid leaves a residue on the sides and internal parts of the dishwasher that will build up over time. (YMMV depending on your DW age and brand, on this.) If one is having a problem with odor, run bleach through the machine ONCE according to the manufacturer's directions, but don't use bleach all the time (yes, it's havoc on the rubber gaskets).

Read your manual, it should tell you whether bleach is OK in your machine. It may also tell you what the best variety of detergent is, for your machine. If you lost your manual, try finding another one by going to the manufacturer's website. (I lost my DW manual and was able to download a new one, free.) If all else fails, call your manufacturer (phone number should be on the website too).

Use one repairman/repair company, so that they can keep track of service on your machine.

My DW repair guy just told me last week - new DW's have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years. The older ones like mine have a 15-year lifespan. Mine has only been repaired twice - a rubber door gasket and a water valve - pretty good for a 10 year old machine, he said.

DonnaR/CA

I use "Glass Magic" in the dishwasher. Our water is really hard, and not only were the minerals building up in the dishwasher, all of my clear glassware was almost opaque. Once I started using the Glass Magic, it cleaned the inside of the dishwasher, took the film off the glassware and has kept it off. I use Kirkland powdered dishwasher detergent and whichever rinse agent is cheapest, too. I've also tried "Lemi Shine", but prefer Glass Magic - you can find it in the dishwasher detergent aisle.

Becky
Lompoc, CA

Nina,
I'm laughing so hard I can barely type! You reminded me of the first time my husband saw me sprinkling lemonade in the toilet! He said "What the h*** are you doing? Now you've gone completely round the bend!". But I guess I do do a few things around the house that some people might fine odd!
Donna,
You are so lucky, I have never had a dishwasher last ten years! I'm getting close, I think my latest is 7 or 8 years old. My youngest was 2 when it died, actually it started leaking water out the bottom of the door and it was out of warranty. I told Maytag I was not paying $200.00 for a gasket that wasn't leaking, or $80.00 for one of their guys to come out and look at it since I was not going to pay to have it fixed. I threw it out and got my current Kenmore. It was one of the Maytags that are still being recalled because they are fire hazards. Lovely!

Nina...I vacuum my oven too! I also vacuum our porches and decks. Sometimes it's just easier!

Michelle

Terri, Annie, Mary: I don't know if Bleach will hurt the dishwasher.
As for the Gaskets and rubber hoses, I have these on my Washing Machine.
I put some Bleach down my Well, every so often, for iron
in the water.
Why don't you go on the Net and type in " Cleaning Dishwashers."
You will get a Million Answers.
LOU

I did Lou..hence why the other day I ran some soda and vinegar through it..
But we've gotten lots of good suggestions here too.

Oh and I use bleach here and there in the house for different things..like disenfecting my jetted tub..(which is such a waste of water!!!!) but hubby insisted..and he never uses it!!

jcrowley, my Maytag's first problem started a year or two ago, with water leaking out the bottom of the door. It was just the rubber gasket - it had deteriorated. But it didn't cost me $200 to fix it - it was around $100. I figured, better than a new DW. (We're a "repair it two or three times then think about replacing it" type family, when it comes to home appliances.)

Once a machine goes out of warranty, we get our own appliance repairman in. I'm sure Marshall (our repair guy) is much less expensive than the "manufacturer backed" repair guy!!!

DonnaR/CA