I've never had mildew or anything that looked dirty either but we do have hard water and our previous dishwashers improved performance after I started using the Jet Dry once a month, several years in. Now our current Miele Diamond's have the built-in softener but I still use Jet Dry, just as a little added security. Dishwasher does always seem to sparkle afterwards.

I've used Miele's DW Conditioner in our Optima at least a few times. It was recommended that we do so after some DW valves/covers had to be replaced because their silicone gaskets/threaded ends had started to deteriorate. The lack of a good seal because of this allowed some outgoing water to trickle back into the DW (and back onto the clean dishes), causing a foul smell in the DW and on the dishes. The conditioner is supposed to help keep the DW gaskets and other silicone/rubber parts, among others, clean, "supple" (vs. becoming brittle), etc.

I added "use DW Condtioner" to our spring and fall household maintenance lists

I use the miele cleaner episodically and occasionally add some lemon shine to a regular load.

Years ago, the appliance doctor recommended tang but I tried it with the miele DW and the Miele definitely worked better than Tang

I've actually used Lemi Shine in the past to remove filming on some glassware. It did OK but I didn't notice that the DW was cleaner. May be our water.

After the Somat, I checked the strainer trap and that was perfectly clean. The dishwasher still has a faint, pleasant fragrance. As with everything, there is more than one option. Just had good results and would definitely do it once a year. Miele's is another alternative to try.

I'm a super taster and very sensitive to product fragrances. I find I'm oddly partial to German cleaning products. Their fragrances don't bother me. Just tried the Pril dish soap, which is not expensive and very good too. Wonder if Walmart will be selling that, too, eventually?

That's one of the reasons why I've stuck with the Miele tabs (99% of the time, cut in half, occasionally even 1/4). DW and dishes just smell clean and fresh after using them, no fragrance left behind.

I've tried the Miele brand as well and seen no discernible difference between it and the jet dry. I do think the liquid cleaners you put in the rack work better than the powders (Glisten, Lemishine). I've added this to my list of monthly to-dos ... Along with running a clean cycle in my front loader, giving the dogs heartworm and flea meds and running ice/bleach through my disposals.

@catmom- where do you buy the Miele tabs? I was using those but source dried up. Found the Method tabs equal to the Miele and I can get them easily locally.

@applenut - Will look for the Jet Dry DW cleaner. Haven't spotted it (or haven't looked for it). Also do the front-loader cycle to purge excess soap. Our water is crazy hard and so we have a softener. No matter how little detergent I use in the front loader there is inevitably residual soap flushed out by the maintenance cycle. Well worth it.

I don't use chlorine bleach anymore as we're on a septic. I do same disinfecting thing you do but with 90% alcohol which I can buy in bulk inexpensively. I also do the alcohol wipe down catmom does in the kitchen and on the doors etc. Fingers crossed, it has kept us healthy.

Family is coming so I'll do it before and after they leave. Grands are wonderful but very germy, especially the 3 y.o.