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Today we are discussing how to keep mold out of your dishwasher from a chemist point of view.

I also purchased a new dishwasher recently, and these are the handy tips I am personally using to keep my dishwasher clean, mold -free, and running smoothly.

How To Keep Mold Out Of Your Dishwasher

About three years ago, when we settled into our new home, we discovered mold spots throughout the pre-existing dishwasher. Despite my various attempts to clean it, much of the mold was stubbornly ingrained within the appliance’s plastic components. It appeared that scratches on the plastic, likely caused by utensils, had created pockets where water collected, enhancing the growth of mold.

Given that the dishwasher appeared to have never been thoroughly cleaned, I embarked on a mission to test a variety of DIY cleaning methods, tips, and products. My goal was to thoroughly address the existing mold issue and ensure the dishwasher would function optimally moving forward, preventing any future mold growth.

Here are my best science-based tips.

Make a DIY Mold Spray For The Dishwasher

This handy DIY cleaning spray is actually the Vinegar “Everything” Cleaner from our eBook on page 13. By using a vinegar base, you are not only cleaning residue, but also hard water spots. 

While vinegar is not a disinfectant, it can help remove mildew spots on plastic surfaces due to the acidity. It also does a great job at removing hard water spots, stains, build up, and anything lingering in your dishwasher. 

Using this spray every few days will keep residue out of the dishwasher. This spray is also just an all-around great cleaner for various kitchen or bathroom surfaces (just avoid use on natural stone)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water (tap water is fine)
• 1 tbsp  5% distilled white vinegar
• 1 tbsp concentrated dish soap
• Spray bottle (these are the ones I use for everything, feel free to use whatever you have)
• Microfiber cloth
• Funnel (this mushroom one is a huge hit with readers)

**For easier ingredient location, we have created a simple Amazon list for this post you can view here. 

To Clean Your Dishwasher:

1. Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and gently shake to blend.
2. Thoroughly spray the interior of the dishwasher, paying close attention to crevices and areas prone to moisture buildup
3. Wipe all surfaces completely dry using a microfiber cloth. The science-backed surface area of microfiber ensures no moisture remains.
4. Leave the dishwasher door ajar for approximately 15 minutes to allow for complete air drying

Bonus, this DIY mold spray makes your dishwasher shiny too (especially stainless steel)

Utilize Borax For Quick Cleaning

One of our favorite chemistry tips is using borax for quick cleaning. You can do this once a month or every two months. It is a great way to freshen the dishwasher and break up any possible mildew spots.

Sprinkle borax at the bottom of your dishwasher, run an empty cycle on warm. Open the dishwasher and wipe out anything remaining inside (moisture, residue, etc). Let the door stay open for 15-30 minutes. Please visit our borax cleaning hacks post for more detailed directions. 

Always Leave The Door Open After Running A Cycle

Mold thrives in warm, damp conditions. To prevent dishwasher mold, a key factor can be the trapped moisture after a cycle. Simply leaving the door slightly ajar to allow complete drying is one of the easiest and most effective ways to inhibit mold growth.

Load the Dishwasher with Knives Pointing Up

A hard-learned lesson: while loading knives point-down for child safety seemed logical, it caused irreversible damage to the plastic utensil holder, especially from serrated edges, leading to embedded mold. For my new dishwasher, I’m switching to loading all knives point-up to avoid any damage!

It’s interesting how different experts advise on loading knives in the dishwasher. While most focus on safety, recommending that knives point downwards to protect your hands when unloading, cleaning experts suggest the opposite. They advise pointing knives upwards, not only for protecting the dishwasher but also to allow water to run off the blades more effectively. This downward flow of water minimizes water spots, which can lead to rust and other blemishes on your precious knives. So, it seems there are valid arguments for both directions!

You can obviously choose whatever you are comfortable with, but I want to avoid damage to the plastic, so I will be making sure the knives point up.

I just make sure to remove all the knives once the dishes are clean before my kids help put up the dishes 🙂 My little toddler loves to help unload the dishwasher.

Use A Deep Cleaner Once Per Month

I have shared the dishwasher cleaner I like to use about once per month. This is formulated to not only clean the inside of your dishwasher, but also the drain, water line, and all the little parts inside your dishwasher that might accumulate buildup or mildew. I have tried several brands, but I like this liquid Oh Yuck I shared with you earlier this year.

Get Some Tiny Brushes To Clean The Small Areas

Another handy tip for making sure your dishwasher stays mold-free is getting some tiny little cleaning brushes you can clean into the small spots of the dishwasher. Mold and mildew can pop up on areas you can reach with a normal cloth, so small brushes can be the key to cleaning out those areas.

Summary On How To Keep Mold Out Of Your Dishwasher

Overall, the best proven tips for keeping mold out of your dishwasher is regular cleaning and making sure to keep the door open after running a cycle to allow for complete drying.

You can take it a step further by regular deep cleaning and protecting the dishwasher from damage!

Be Sure To Check Out Our Similar Articles:

• DIY Dishwasher Rinse Aid
• The Best Non-Toxic Dishwashing Detergents
• How To Keep Your Washing Machine Mold-Free and Running Like New

 

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