Deep cleaning a dishwasher is a necessary maintenance task that removes accumulated grime, food particles, and biological growth responsible for unpleasant odors. The warm, moist environment inside the appliance can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, reducing the machine’s efficiency. Household chlorine bleach is a highly effective sanitizer for tackling these issues due to its potent oxidizing properties. This method disinfects the appliance’s interior surfaces and plumbing.
Essential Safety Warnings
The primary safety hazard when cleaning with bleach involves chemical incompatibility, requiring careful preparation before beginning the process. Never combine chlorine bleach with any acidic substance, such as distilled white vinegar, lemon juice, or specialized dishwasher cleaners. Mixing these compounds releases highly toxic chlorine gas, which is dangerous to inhale and can cause severe respiratory damage. The dishwasher must be completely empty of dishes, silverware, and any residual detergent before the bleach is introduced.
Homeowners must verify their appliance’s interior construction, as bleach causes irreversible damage to certain materials. Standard household bleach, which is a sodium hypochlorite solution, is highly corrosive to metals. This cleaning method must strictly be limited to dishwashers with a plastic or vinyl tub interior. It should never be used in models featuring a stainless steel tub or internal components. Bleach exposure causes pitting and permanent corrosion on stainless steel, resulting in structural failure and rust over time.
Step-by-Step Bleach Cleaning Method
Before initiating the sanitation cycle, ensure the dishwasher’s filter is cleaned of any large food debris or blockages to allow for optimal water circulation. After confirming the appliance is empty and has a plastic tub, locate the correct placement for the bleach solution. Never pour the bleach into the soap dispenser, as this component is designed for concentrated detergent and may not release the solution properly into the wash cycle. Instead, pour the measured amount directly into the bottom of the empty tub, allowing it to mix with the standing water or the initial water fill.
Use approximately half a cup of standard liquid household chlorine bleach, which typically has a concentration of 5% to 8.25% sodium hypochlorite. This volume ensures a powerful sanitizing concentration without risking damage to the rubber seals and gaskets inside the machine. Once the bleach is in place, close the door and select the longest, hottest wash cycle available. The combination of high temperature and the oxidizing action of the hypochlorite ions effectively eradicates bacteria and mildew spores throughout the system.
Do not interrupt the full cleaning cycle once it has begun. Allow the bleach solution to circulate through the spray arms, pump, and internal plumbing for the entire duration. This thorough circulation ensures disinfection reaches every surface and crevice within the machine. The cycle must run completely from start to finish, including the final drain, to ensure the majority of the concentrated solution is removed before the next step.
Post-Cleaning Rinse and Maintenance
After the initial bleach cycle is complete, a mandatory rinse cycle must be run immediately to flush all residual chemicals from the appliance’s interior and plumbing. This second cycle should be a full wash cycle using only hot water, with no detergent or cleaning agent added to the dispenser or the tub. Running this empty rinse cycle eliminates any remaining sodium hypochlorite residue, ensuring the machine is safe for future use with dishes.
Upon completion of the rinse cycle, check for any lingering chemical odors or a strong scent of chlorine gas. If a noticeable scent remains, run an additional rinse cycle until the odor is completely dissipated, indicating all bleach has been neutralized and washed away. To prevent the return of mold and mildew, perform a similar deep cleaning process once every three to six months.