Many customers email to ask if Smellywasher Cleaner can be used to clean a dishwasher. I email back and explain that it will but it wouldn’t be cost effective.
The best way to clean both a plastic and stainless steel tub dishwasher is to set it for a long, hot cycle such as “pots & pans” or “baked on goods”. ALLOW THE UNIT TO RUN FOR 15 MINUTES. Open the door and dash in 2 cups of WHITE vinegar. Shut the door and allow the unit to complete it’s cycle.
The reason for running it for 15 minutes is to get it through it’s pre-wash cycle as you’d rather have the vinegar in for the 1 to 1 1/2 hour main wash than the shorter pre-wash cycle. 15 minutes covers pre-wash times for all makes and models of dishwashers.
If you have food stains (especially from tomato based foods) on plastic bowls or dishes - this procedure may remove those stains if you put them in the unit while doing the vinegar wash.
Posted under How to Clean Your Appliances, How to Maintain Your Dishwasher, How to Save Money on Appliance Cleaning, How to Save Money on Appliance Repair
This post was written by Paul Flynn on August 12, 2007
can i pour a gallon of vinegar into my soap dispenser on my frontload and get the same results?
Hi Kim/ Vinegar, bleach and other cleaning products will kill the mold buildup in your washer. However, they won’t remove the residue from the inside of your outer tub thereby leaving a residue for more detergent/softener to collect on and fungus will grow on the buildup.
Smelly Washer Cleaner is guaranteed to remove this buildup.
I too have a front load washer and have had it for 3 years. I do not have a problem as I was educated on using it before I bought it. Use 1 tablespoon of HE detergent and always leave the door open. Thats it…
Hi Sue/
Great! However - leaving the door open may not be a good idea of younger children or pets are around! It’s a safety issue!
Can I use apple cider vinegar? Not the health store kind but the pasteurized apple cider vinegar used for canning? My fiance bought a gallon of this by accident and it is 5% acidic like white vinegar so I’m hoping I can use it for cleaning!
Thank you for Smelly Washer, after buying our home I tried everything to get the washer to smell clean and finally found your product! Thank you!