Best Dishwasher Cleaner – Buyer’s Guide

A dishwasher cleaner seems like something unimportant since the interior of the machine should be clean due to the never-ending washing cycles, right? However, it’s very important to take care of the appliance as well. Hard water, bits of food, etc. may decrease the efficiency of dishwashing. There are special solid and liquid cleaners that will make your dishwasher spotless, odorless, and sanitized.

What is The Best Dishwasher Cleaner 2020?

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The market is full, so it may be difficult to choose the best option for your dishwasher. If there are no special requirements from the machine’s manufacturer, you may need help with the choice. And here it comes with the TOP 5 cleaners and some useful information about appliance maintenance!

1. Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets – Editor’s Choice

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Overview

This cleaner comes in the tablet form, with 6 tabs per pack. It’s said to clean better than bleach with no harm that would usually come from the latter. The unique tablet design was patented by the company and lasts the whole washing cycle.

Features

The cleaner removes:

• Lime.
• Mineral build-up.
• Odor.

How to Use Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner

1. If using with dishes inside, put a tablet under the lower holder.
2. If using without dishes, put the tab into the detergent tray.
3. Run a regular cycle.

The tabs will also help your dishes turn extra clean, so if you have anything that needs a powerful wash, this is the chance.

Safety

The cleaner is EPA approved as a Safer Choice. It’s safe for septic systems as well as both plastic and stainless steel tubs.
The Affresh brand is recommended by Whirlpool.

I highly recommend this cleaner due to its powerful formula. This is a good choice for your first cleaning in a long time. Some people don’t maintain their dishwashers in years, leading to severe build-up and quite a funky smell. The Affresh products are just the choice for such situations.

Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner Video Review

2. Glisten Dishwasher Magic Machine Cleaner and Disinfectant – Best Against Bacteria

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Overview

This is a 2-pack offer, with one pack being a 12-oz bottle. It’s a liquid type of cleaner that should be used for empty machines only. The product is suitable for all kinds of dishwashers and disinfects them along with the cleaning.

Features

The product removes:

• Lime.
• Grease.
• Soap scum.

The cleaner also has disinfectant qualities, removing the danger of salmonella choleraesuis and escherichia coli bacteria.

How to use Glisten

1. Remove the cap of the bottle without removing the wax plug.
2. Place the bottle on the bottom rack or into the silverware holder, make sure it’s upside down and secured.
3. Run the hottest cycle (avoid using quick or economic cycles).
4. Make sure the bottle is empty by the end of the wash and recycle it.

Tip: For a better effect, make the water as hot as possible by running the nearest faucet until the water heats to the maximum.

Safety

Glisten is a part of Summit Brands – a group offering household cleaning products since 1958. They position their line as innovative, effective, and sustainable.
The cleaner is DfE certified and is safe for septic and plumbing systems. It should only be used in an empty washer, without any other detergents added.

The product is great because you don’t have to touch the contents due to the wax plug. But you’ll only ensure the safety if using it right.

Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner Video Review

3. Plink Washer and Dishwasher Freshener Cleaner – Strong Fresh Scent

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Overview

These dishwasher cleaner tablets are suitable for both dishwashers and laundry machines, giving them fresh lemon scent and removing residue. There are 4 single-use tabs in a pack, filled with the enzyme-enriched formula that will maintain your appliances well if used regularly.

Features

The cleaner removes:

• Odor.
• All kinds of residue.

It’s safe for septic and plumbing systems, cleans drains and, if used on a monthly basis, prevents clogs.

As a result, you’ll get a clean machine and the kitchen that smells like fresh lemons.

Note: While it’s fine to use this product while the washer is loaded if you want to clean the washing machine, don’t put in any clothes. Just place a tablet inside and run any hot water cycle.

Safety

Plink is another brand of the Summit Brands group, the product is made in the USA.
I would recommend this one to people who love their kitchen to smell great all the time. Plink’s scents are great and they remain for quite a long time. It’s safe for the dishes, so there’s no need to run a separate cycle just for the cleaning, which saves water.

4. Finish In-Wash Dishwasher Cleaner – Best Hard Water Dishwasher Cleaner

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Overview

Finish is a well-known brand with a diverse line of cleaning products. According to the manufacturer, the products work best in combination with each other. However, these tablets alone can remove residue from even the farthest and most difficult-to-access parts of the dishwasher.

Features

The cleaner removes:

• Hard Water Stains.
• Grease.
• Mineral residue.
• Limescale.
• Odor.

It cleans the machines’ interior of the smallest pieces of scum and doesn’t leave any film or residue. Parts like the filter and spray arms that are difficult to access also get cleaned, prolonging the life expectancy of the machine.

There’s no need to run a separate cycle to clean the dishwasher, the formula is safe for the dishes. To maintain the pleasant smell and smooth surface, use one tablet a week.

Good Choice For Hard Water

This cleaner is recommended for areas with hard water.

More info about hard water you can find here.

Safety

The brand is quite well-known and effective; all their products have a great reputation. I tested it myself before putting the option on the list. Some say the tablet format isn’t as good as the liquid one, but if you don’t need a major clean-up and there’s not much residue accumulated, this product is just fine.

Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Video Review

5. Lemi Shine Natural Dishwasher Cleaner Powered by Citric Extracts – Best Environment-Friendly

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Citric Acid Dishwasher Cleaner

This is a powder-type cleaner, designed to remove any amount and toughness of buildup. It reaches the farthest and smallest parts of the machine’s interior, prolonging the life of the appliance. The product will optimize the washer performance if the issues are connected to the buildup accumulation.

Features

The cleaner removes:

• Limescale.
• Grease.
• Rust.
• Hard water residue.

The main ingredient of the product is citric acid, which is safe for plumbing and septic systems. For the best effect, it’s recommended to use the cleaner once a month.

Safety

The product is made in the USA and certified by the EPA as a safer choice for human health and the environment.
This is another very powerful formula, which I strongly recommend. It’s environment-friendly, relatively safe for pets and children, but you should still restrict access to the pouches since they contain acid. The powder form may not be the most convenient, though.

Lemi Shine Natural Dishwasher Cleaner Video Review

Buyer’s Guide: FAQ on Dishwasher Cleaning

Even Cleaning Machines Need to Get Cleaned

How to Clean Your Dishwasher: A Comprehensive Cleaning Guide

How many months have passed since the last time you cleaned your dishwasher?

If you’re like most of us, it would be quite a few weeks. We are not talking about running empty dishwashers with hot water cycles. But a much more comprehensive cleaning on a much deeper level. The truth is, your dishwasher is not going to clean dishes properly unless it’s clean itself. As a result, your dishes will come out dirty or slimy with oil, and grime still stuck to them.
Thankfully, there’s a way around. In this post, I’m going to tell you exactly how to clean your dishwasher. It’s super easy, and even a 5-year-old can do the job. So, get your things together.

Arrange Your Resources

We are going to need a few things to get your dishwasher clean. Fortunately, you can find all of them in your house. Here’s what you need:

• A cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
• A cup of baking soda.
• Detergent.
• Dishwasher cleaning tablets (read buyer’s guide).
• Toothbrush.
• Sponge.
• Paper clip.
• Hot water.

Dishwasher Cleaning Tablets

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You can use dishwasher cleaning tablets to clean your dishwasher. They are quite effective and eat away any grime, grease, and water minerals. If you have got massive amounts of residues, a dishwasher cleaning tablet might be a good choice.
Now, we will get down right to the fundamentals.

A. A Guide to Deep Cleaning

You should deep clean your dishwasher once a month. However, if you haven’t cleaned your appliance for weeks, you need to be a bit more thorough. I will cover everything in the following steps.

Step 1: Deal with the Drain

Consider the drain of your dishwasher as the dustbin. All the dirty water drains through the drain, so this is where our journey begins!

Move on to the next step once your drain is clean and clog-free.

Step 2: Next Stop – Clean the Filter

A clean filter leads to clean dishes – there’s no way around it! A dirty filter not only leaves spots on your dishes but also hinders the drainage. So get down to the task and take the filter out from the dishwasher.
Now, place the filter in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes. Next, take your toothbrush and give a good scrub to the filter. Focus on removing the grime and gunk from the mesh and plastic parts. Use more water to rinse the filter clean. Once your filter is spotless, put it back in place.

Step 3: Check the Water Jets in Spray Arms

The water jets in your spray arms do the main task of cleaning your dishes. So, it’s imperative you need to keep the water jet openings free of residue.

Next, we will get down to cleaning the interiors of your dishwasher.

Step 4: Time for Some Vinegar Action

Did you get your cup of vinegar ready? Now put it on the top rack of your empty dishwasher.

Using Dishwasher Cleaning Tablets
You have the complete freedom of using cleaning tablets to make your dishwasher spotless. In fact, they may be quite effective for thorough cleanings; especially, when you haven’t cleaned your appliance for quite some time.

Pro tip: Do read the instructions when you use cleaning tablets. You may need separate cycles to use them minus the detergent or dishes.

Step 5: Top It Up with Baking Soda

We are getting your dishwasher cleaned properly, right? That’s why we are going to get an extra step forward and include a second washing cycle. The only difference is we are going to use baking soda this time.

Pro tip: You can clean your racks manually with soap water if they are grimy. Use a sponge or toothbrush to scrub the racks with soapy water. Then rinse them clean with tap water.

Well, that’s about it. If you followed our steps, your dishwasher should be sparkling clean by now! Next, we are going to answer a very important question.

Can I Clean My Dishwasher with Bleach?

Some people suggest you use a bleach cycle to get your dishwasher looking brand new. However, the step might do more damage than good.

You now have a good idea of how to clean your dishwasher deeply. So, aim to clean your dishwasher using these steps at least once per month. Next, we are going to talk about how you can develop a regular cleaning schedule for your dishwasher. We know some of you may ask – what’s the need?
Well, if you clean your dishwasher regularly, you can be less thorough with your monthly deep cleaning. Surely, all of us like to save work and have some extra free time. So here’s what you have to do.

B. Tips for Daily Sanitization

Try to clean your dishwasher every time you clean the dishes. Of course, you don’t need to deep clean; but, focus on only a few areas.

Step 1: Look for Culprits

Look around the dishwasher for any bits of food, detergent, minerals, stuck to the walls, and racks.

Step 2: Get Rid of Guck and Slime

Take your sponge or a paper towel and wipe any grime or grease. Do this after each cycle of cleaning.

Step 3: Keep the Drain Clean

You should also focus on keeping the drain clean. Wipe the basin of your dishwasher with your sponge. This will keep residues from building up and even cut back on any foul smell. You can use white vinegar too, to clean the dishwasher basin.

Pro tip: A bit of extra work may help cut down the grime and guck inside your dishwasher. Before you load the dishes, wipe off the extra oil, food, or grime with paper tissue or sponge. Then run them through the cleaning cycle as usual.

Next, we will move on to weekly cleaning.

C. Weekly Cleaning Routine

Following a weekly cleaning routine will make your monthly deep cleaning far easier. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Keep Filter As Good As New

I already told you how important the filter for the proper functioning of the dishwasher is. So, it’s not surprising you need to shower your efforts on keeping the filter clean. You can follow the same steps we discussed in our deep cleaning guide to clean your filter. Do this once each week for clean and spotless dishes.

Step 2: Clean the Exteriors

The door of your dishwasher will also need cleaning once a week. Food particles, oil, detergent, and other things might land up on the inside door surface. You may even find residue on the door handle, controls, and nearby areas.

You can use a dry cloth to clean the exteriors of your dishwasher. Mild liquid detergents are okay for cleaning plastic parts. You can use stainless steel cleaning products if your dishwasher has a stainless steel exterior. Also, move your sponge in one direction matching the grain of the metal. This will give you the best finish.

Pro tip: Don’t use harsh chemicals like chlorine to clean stainless steel exteriors. Also, always use soft sponges or clothes if you want to keep your dishwasher shining and scratch-free.

We are almost at the end of our post. Before we wrap things up, here are a few tips to keep your dishwasher clean.

Tips to Keep Your Dishwasher Clean

1. Clean Your Dishwasher Regularly

This cannot be stressed enough! You need to clean your dishwasher regularly to get clean dishes.
Regular cleaning will save efforts on deep cleaning. You will also save time and money in the long run as your dishwasher will need fewer repairs and maintenance.

2. Load Dishes Carefully

3. Give Your Dishes a Quick Rinse

Rinse your dishes before you load them in the dishwasher. It will make the cleaning better and keep your dishwasher clean. You will have fewer food particles and oil sticking on the insides if you pre-wash your dishes.

4. Check the Rubber Seals

5. Use Warm Water for Dishwasher

This is a good idea to prevent the collection of grease, soap materials, and grime inside the dishwasher. Wait till the faucet water turns hot before switching on your dishwasher.
Hot water makes it easy to drain away from the waste materials.

6. Run Your Garbage Disposal

Pro tip: Clearing the garbage disposal can solve unexplained dishwasher drainage problems.

Final Thoughts

So, how did you like our dishwasher cleaning guide?
I hope you can clean your dishwasher following the guide just like I do. Generally, you will not need to put in much effort if you clean your dishwasher frequently like me. Just follow the steps for daily and weekly cleaning dedicatedly to keep your dishwasher spot-free.