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Dishwasher Detergent Hacks: 5 Alternatives When You Don’t Have Dishwasher Detergent

For the best outcome, you should always use dishwasher detergent to clean your dishwasher correctly. But what if you can’t afford it or have the right detergent? Well, according to dishwasher repair professionals, there are several alternatives you can go with. These alternatives include:

Use a combination of baking soda and white vinegar

Here you must mix equal parts baking soda and white vinegar and use this mixture as a substitute for dishwasher detergent. The baking soda will clean and deodorize, while the vinegar removes stuck-on food and grease.

Remove any large pieces of food or debris to clean your dishwasher using this mixture. You should then sprinkle a cup of baking soda over the bottom of the dishwasher, followed by a cup of white vinegar, into a dishwasher-safe container and place it on the top rack of the unit.

You should close the dishwasher and run it on a hot water cycle.

Once the cycle is complete, wipe the inside of the dishwasher with a soft cloth to remove any residue.

Use liquid dish soap.

If you don’t have dishwasher detergent, you can use a small amount of liquid dish soap instead of the detergent. As much as the dish soap is great, take care not to use too much of it as you can cause suds to overflow from the dishwasher, and you don’t want this, do you?

To clean your dishwasher using liquid dish soap, remove any large debris or food particles from the dishwasher. You should then fill a bowl with a mixture of hot water and liquid dish soap, dip a clean cloth or sponge into the soapy water, and use it to scrub the dishwasher’s interior, including the door seal, racks, and spray arm.

You should rinse the cloth or sponge to remove any soapsuds or residue.

Once you are done, run an empty dishwasher cycle with hot water to rinse away any remaining soap and debris.

Use lemon juice

For years, lemon juice has been known as a natural cleaning agent that you can use to remove soap scum and mineral deposits from the inside of a dishwasher. The juice is also a natural deodorizer, so using it to clean the dishwasher can help to freshen up the appliance.

You should add a few tablespoons of lemon juice to the dishwasher detergent compartment or mix it with water and use it as a pre-rinse before loading the dishwasher.

Remember to always rinse the dishwasher thoroughly after using lemon juice. This is to avoid leaving behind any acidic residue that could damage the appliance or affect the taste of future loads of dishes.

Use borax

Like lemon juice, borax is a known natural cleaning agent to remove stuck-on food and grease from dishes. To clean your dishes, add 1/2 cup of borax to the dishwasher’s detergent compartment, then run the dishwasher as you normally would.

If there are hard-to-remove stains in the dishwasher, mix equal parts borax and water and use this mixture as a substitute for dishwasher detergent.

You can also mix the borax with water to create a paste and use it to scrub away tough stains on dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.

If you use borax paste, rinse the dishes thoroughly to remove any residue before placing them in the dishwasher.

Remember that borax can be harmful if ingested, so keep it out of reach of children and pets. Also, be cautious when handling borax, as it can irritate the skin and eyes.

Use laundry detergent

Use a small amount of liquid laundry detergent in place of dishwasher detergent to thoroughly clean the dishes. Always use a small amount of detergent, as using too much can cause suds to overflow from the dishwasher.

Parting shot

These are some alternatives you can go with if you don’t have dishwasher detergent. As mentioned, always use small amounts of the alternatives, and don’t make it normal behavior, as you can end up damaging your appliance.

Appliance repair Alexandria professionals also recommend thoroughly rinsing the dishwasher and remove any leftovers that can compromise the appliance and future loads.

Tips to Getting The Best Results From Your Dishwasher?

If you have a dishwasher, you want to get the most from it, right? Are you asking, how do I get the best results from my dishwasher? There are plenty of ways to go about it, with the common ones as given by dishwasher repair professionals being:

Use hot water

To have an easy time cleaning the dishes, use hot water as it has been shown to clean better. It’s always wise to check the hot water temperature at the kitchen faucet using a candy or meat thermometer. For best results, the temperature should be 120 degrees.

If the water is colder than this, adjust the settings on your water heater.

To ensure you have hot water throughout the dishwasher, run hot water in the kitchen sink before you start your dishwasher. This way, you ensure that, the tub fills with all hot water, which ensures that you thoroughly clean your dishes.

Scrape the food off the dishes

You might have heard that you should remove as much food from the dishes as possible to give your dishwasher an easy time. Removing some of the food from the dishes before washing them is wise, but you should avoid overdoing it.

As a rule of thumb, don’t rinse the dishes as you will not only be wasting water, but also worsening the detergent’s performance.

The right way to go about it is to scrape the large food particles from the dishes and then put the dishes in the dishwasher.

Run a balanced load

You should run a balanced load to prevent your dishwasher from making noises as it’s working. This calls for you to ensure that your dishes are balanced in all areas.

To ensure this happens, follow the recommendations given by your manufacturer on the proper loading of the dishwasher. As a rule of thumb, don’t crowd or overload the dishwasher, as you not only risk your appliance not running smoothly, but also risk blocking the spray arm and preventing the water from reaching all the surfaces.

Use the right cleaning cycle.

Most modern dishwashers come with different cycle settings meant to clean different dishes. These cycles include: regular cycle for normal cleaning, the heavy-duty cycle for deep cleaning, and the light cycle for china and fragile items.

You should use the right cycle to get the most from your dishwasher. If you aren’t sure about the right cycle for your dishes, consult the owner’s manual or an experienced professional.

Go easy on the soap

Using a lot of soap will get you cleaner dishes, right? Well, no. As much as you would want spotless dishes, using too much soap than necessary doesn’t give you the best results.

Besides still having soap on your dishes after running a cycle, using too much soap can ruin your dishwasher.

When choosing a washing cycle, refer to the instruction manual for directions on the best soap to clean the dishes and the right amounts to use.

Keep your machine clean.

Since your washing machine is responsible for cleaning, you don’t need to clean it, right? Well, no. Like other appliances, you need to clean your washing machine.

By doing so, you not only always have clean dishes, but also have a properly functioning dishwasher that is beautiful to look at.

To clean your dishwasher, run the appliance on a normal cycle using two cups of white vinegar. As a rule of thumb, don’t use a detergent to do the cleaning. This way, you remove any materials in the appliance and eliminate awful smells.

If you want to go the extra mile, wipe down the interior walls and racks of the appliance with a solution of vinegar and baking soda. Remember to rinse the surfaces properly after going over them.

Regularly inspect the dishwasher.

The same way you should regularly clean the dishwasher is the same way you should regularly inspect it and fix any issues it might be having. You can do the inspection yourself or hire a commercial appliance repair Springfield professional to help.

When hiring professionals, ensure they are experienced and know what they are doing. Don’t hire a novice that will be a liability to have.

Appliance Repair: Expert Tips On How To Deodorize Your Dishwasher

appliance repair

The dishwasher is one of the most hardworking appliances in your home. Unfortunately, grease gunk and leftover food particles accumulate over time, leaving your appliance with a musty smell.

Has your appliance been having an awful smell you aren’t proud of? Many homeowners rush to the stores to buy expensive commercial deodorizers, but you shouldn’t do this as there are plenty of ways you can get rid of the smell without spending much.

Here are some of these ways as given by dishwasher repair professionals:

Clean the drain filter

Most dishwashers have a drain filter that prevents food particles from clogging the drain. If you go for a long time without cleaning your appliance, the drain filter is bound to produce awful smells.

To clean the filter, start with removing the filter from the floor of the dishwasher, then wash the filter in the kitchen sink with hot water and soap. To have an easy time reaching the interior surfaces, use a bottle brush if necessary.

After cleaning the filter, reinsert it back. It’s common to find the filter damaged. In such a case, replace it with a new one. Before you reinsert the drain filter, ensure that the drain is clear of food debris. If there are any remaining food particles, wipe them with a sponge.

Clean the insides of the dishwasher

When you go for a long time without cleaning the dishwasher, it’s common for grime to accumulate on the interior walls of the appliance.

Did you know a quick wipe down on the appliance can do wonders to the foul smell? Start with removing the upper and lower racks then run them under hot water in the kitchen sink.

Scrub the inside of the dishwasher with a rag or sponge dampened with hot water. While at it, pay attention to the door gasket, which might have collected mold and mildew.

If it’s months since you last cleaned the appliance, it’s normal to find a lot of accumulated grime that is hard to remove. In such a case, use kitchen-safe household cleaners that will make it easy to scrub out the filth.

Wipe the door gasket

The door gasket is the black rubber seal that lines the opening of the dishwasher. The gasket often has a magnetic strip on the inside that helps it to cling to the frame of the dishwasher to prevent water from leaking out during cycles.

In some cases, the food particles that get washed off the dishes during the cleaning cycle stick to the sides of the gasket. When you go for a long time without cleaning, the particles start producing an awful smell.

To get rid of the smell, wipe down the gasket with warm water. You also should inspect the gasket. If damaged or worn out, replace it so that the dishwasher can continue functioning optimally.

Clean the spray arm

When the spray arm gets clogged with food, the dishwasher doesn’t clean the plates, cups, or silverware as efficiently as you would want it to.

The clogged food also makes the dishwasher smelly. Just like with the other parts, you need to clean the spray arm to get rid of the smell. Start with removing the upper and lower spray arms. Holding the spray arm over the kitchen sink, remove any stray food particles using a cotton swab.

You should then run water through the spray arm to ensure that all the holes are clear. Once you are done with one arm, repeat the process on the second.

Clean out the garbage disposal

You might think that the garbage disposal has nothing to do with the dishwasher, but the same central hose connects the two.

So, sometimes you might think that the smell is coming from the dishwasher while it’s coming from the garbage disposal. To tell where the smell is coming from, disconnect the hose from the disposal.

Temporarily remove the hose, then clean it out using a stiff wire and a thin, damp cloth.

You should note that cleaning the garbage disposal is messy, so you should be prepared for it. If you aren’t ready for it, ask an appliance repair Northern VA professional to help you out.

Washer Repair: Tips On How To Properly Clean Your Washing Machine

It’s a fact that the washing machine saves you time and effort. For you to keep it functioning optimally for long you need to take good care of it. Washer repair experts recommend that you clean it regularly to not only leave it looking great, but also to keep off awful smell and bacteria. For you to properly clean the unit you need to:

Wash the washing machine filter

It’s in the filter where gunk is collected after every cycle. Small items such as coins and buttons end up in the filter. With time, if you don’t clean it, dirt might buildup worsening the performance of the machine.

To clean the filter you need to begin with locating it. For the front load washing machines, the filter is located at the bottom, usually in the right corner. Remove it taking care that you don’t break it.

After removing it, use a paper towel to remove any lint that might have built up. Remove as much lint as you can using a paper towel. If the paper towel isn’t doing a good job, scrub off what is remaining using a toothbrush or sponge.

Pay attention to the screen that gathers all the gunk. Remove it and soak it in hot water to get out any dirt that might have stuck to it.

Once the filter is clean, take a look inside the unit before you put it back. Using a paper towel, trace the sides of the opening. You can also use an old toothbrush to get rid of all the dirt that might be on the inside.

To have an easy time, clean the air filter once every 3-4 months.

Get rid of the smell from the washing machine

If you have had your washing machine for a long time you must have been in a situation where you open the washing machine door and a pungent smell hits your nose. You don’t need to throw away your washing when it’s making the awful smells.

The first place you should look is the drawer. Take out the drawer then scrub it properly. You can use your hand or sponge. Once you are done with the cleaning, let it dry and put it back. For you to kill all the mold, use a mixture of baking soda and water.

You can also use a mixture of soda and vinegar. The mixture causes a reaction that eats away the mold or lint. Once the cleaning cycle has ended, you are left with a clean and fresh smelling machine. If you run a cycle with the mixture and still the machine doesn’t have a fresh smell, repeat the cycle.

It’s common for dirt and grime to hide in the crevasses of the seal. Mould also tends to grow there as the area holds moisture for a long time. To clean the seal, use a damp piece of cloth then run your fingers along the rubber to clean it. If you can remove the seal, do so and wash it under the water.

Pay attention to the outside of the washing machine

Cleaning the insides of the machine isn’t enough—you also need to clean the outside. It’s common for the washing machine to get dusty and start looking old and yellowish. To maintain the shine, use a dry clean cloth or rug.

Go over the entire exterior rubbing all the necessary areas. Get rid of the fingerprints and dried up marks that might be there.

Once you are done with the exterior, pay close attention to the windows. Start with going over the window with a dry rack to get rid of the excessive dust. You should then use your favorite mirror or glass detergent and spray it onto the glass. Once you are done, wipe the surface with a dry piece of cloth or paper towel. For ideal results, wipe in circular motions.

Cleaning products matter

For your washing machine to continue functioning optimally you need to keep it clean. Appliance repair Springfield professionals report that you should be cautious of the cleaning products you use. For ideal results, use high-quality detergents. If possible, go for eco-friendly detergents. While they will be a little bit expensive, they will give you perfect results.