How to maintain a clean and functional dishwasher

The dishwasher stands as an unsung hero in every busy kitchen, lightening the load in our hectic lives.

Amidst busy schedules, growing families, and the constant flow of guests, the appliance can effortlessly manage the aftermath of a day well-spent.

As we rely on our dishwashers to restore order in the chaos, it’s only fair that we reciprocate with a little care. Here we’ve got some surprising hacks that promise to maintain your dishwasher’s cleanliness and freshness, ensuring optimal functionality, and keeping your dishwasher a reliable companion in the daily rhythm of your kitchen.

Firstly, let’s start with the basics: how often you should clean your dishwasher. A cleaning machine in itself, you might be surprised at how often you should show your dishwasher a little ‘TLC’. Ideally, you should be cleaning your dishwasher once a month. One easy way to remember is to add a reminder in your calendar for the first (or last) day of every month to ensure you don’t go months without giving it a good, deep clean. Which brings us to the next part of the blog - the most effective ways to clean your dishwasher.

To clean the filter, you must firstly remove it from the appliance and ensure all food and debris is thoroughly scraped off (this can clog the machine).

The filter unit can be removed by unscrewing the filter cylinder at the base of the dishwasher and lifting the unit out. You can clean the filter by running it under tap water to remove any build-up before it is replaced. We have a step-by-step video on how to do this here.

You should also ensure you regularly clean the dishwasher spray arms which is another simple process (full video with instructions here). Since they are responsible for distributing water around the dishwasher, any food and debris that clogs them up could impact the effectiveness and cleaning power of the appliance. Simply soak in a vinegar solution followed by soapy water, and use a cocktail stick to unclog the small outlet nozzles.

Descaling is essential to the longevity and integrity of your appliance. Since your dishwasher is used almost every day, limescale can build up quickly (especially in hard water areas).

Bosch’s ‘Multi-Purpose Appliance Descaler’ is a great solution that can be used to descale your dishwasher. For machines fitted with Machine Care, simply add the contents of the solution and run the Machine Care programme.

For those without Machine Care, use the solution, but run the empty dishwasher on the highest temperature first. After 30 minutes, add the descaling solution before allowing the programme to run to completion. Then, run another full programme again to fully clean the appliance.

A great product will, of course, aid the process. Using Finish dishwasher tablets means there is no need to pre-rinse your dishes because the tablets are so powerful at providing an effective cleaning cycle. It’s always a good idea to use good high-quality tablets to prolong the life of your dishwasher.

There are some great dishwasher cleaning products on the market. One way to be sure of an effective clean is to use a Dishwasher Cleaner sachet which is compatible with Bosch dishwashers. Add the contents of one Dishwasher Cleaner sachet by carefully opening the dishwasher door and emptying the contents inside the detergent dispenser. Then run the Machine Care programme. If your appliance is not fitted with Machine Care, we recommend using the hottest programme available.

Following these cleaning hacks and ensuring you set a monthly reminder to maintain a clean and functional dishwasher will prolong the life of your appliance. Let us know if you try any of these tips and how you find them!