Hard water build-up can stop your dishwasher cleaning properly, but two cheap natural ingredients costing less than 30p can help fix the problem.
Anyone who owns a dishwasher will know just how much of a lifesaver they can be. You simply load in your dirty crockery, cutlery and glassware, set it running before bed, and wake up to sparkling clean dishes.
But when your dishwasher doesn’t clean as well as it should, it becomes a bit of a headache. For those living in hard water areas, this is a real problem.
Minerals like calcium and magnesium gradually build up within appliances, worsening their performance and potentially cutting short their lifespan.
Michael White, appliance expert at Marks Electrical, explained: “Whilst it’s unlikely to cause immediate problems, overlooking it in the long term is where people go wrong, because these mineral deposits will eventually reduce the efficiency of appliances that rely on or use water.”
Hard water wreaks havoc inside dishwashers, especially when mineral deposits start coating internal parts like filters and spray arms. As this build-up worsens, it disrupts how evenly water gets distributed throughout each cycle, reports the Express.
Michael continued: “This is often why glassware and dishes may never feel quite clean, or start to look cloudy even after a wash.”
Luckily, there’s a straightforward solution – requiring just two budget-friendly, natural ingredients that’ll set you back less than 30p.
How to clean your dishwasher
To tackle mineral build-up, Michael recommends giving the interior a clean with bicarbonate of soda, costing roughly 23p per treatment, along with white vinegar at 29p per wash. Begin by ensuring the dishwasher is completely empty and clearing away any visible debris, including food remnants or anything obstructing the filter.
In a small bowl, combine around four tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda (around 70g) with enough water to create a thick paste.
Using a soft-bristled brush or sponge, spread the paste across interior surfaces, paying particular attention to heavily grimy areas such as the spray arms, filter area and interior walls.
Allow it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before running the dishwasher on its hottest setting. To complete the process, you can run another hot cycle with a bowl containing 250ml of white vinegar placed on the top rack.
Vinegar helps to flush away any residue and neutralise lingering odours, leaving your appliance smelling fresh and clean.
