Home appliances like dishwashers and washing machines are designed to help you clean. Since their jobs involve removing leftover food from dishes and silverware as well as eliminating dirt and grime from clothing, these appliances can develop funky smells. Here’s how to remove washing machine odors and dishwasher smells.
How to Freshen Up an Unpleasant Smelling Dishwasher
Dishwashers start to smell when food particles become trapped in the appliance’s filter. The buildup of these particles may result in an unpleasant odor, one that usually starts off faint but becomes more powerful every day. The good news is that it’s easy to freshen up an unpleasant smelling dishwasher. You’ll just need to follow a few steps and make sure that you have some vinegar.
- Remove the dishes from the dishwasher
The first step to freshening up your dishwasher is to remove any dishes or silverware stored inside. Then, use a wet microfiber cloth to clean the bottom section of the appliance. Clean the dishwasher’s sides too. To make the job easier, remove the bottom rack.
- Take advantage of vinegar’s cleaning properties
Add about 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to a glass bowl or measuring cup. Set the vinegar filled container on your dishwasher’s top rack. For security, position the vinegar within the glass holder prongs of the appliance. Vinegar is an ideal cleaning substance, one that you can use to clean many things.
The product can:
- Remove the buildup of detergent
- Eliminate foul food smells
- Get rid of any grease
Once you’ve settled the cup of vinegar into your dishwasher, run the machine through a cleaning cycle using the hottest possible setting. After the cycle is done, open the dishwasher door for an hour or more. This step will give the appliance time to air out. If the interior remains in a damp state, it could encourage mildew to develop, which gives off another unpleasant odor.
- Give it a nice smell
While vinegar does a good job of getting rid of foul smells, the scent of vinegar is not everyone’s favorite. To give your dishwasher a nice smell, add several drops of your favorite essential oil to the cup of vinegar before running it through the cleaning cycle.
Kitchen friendly scents include:
- Orange
- Peppermint
- Lavender
- Lemon
Not only will an essential oil give your kitchen a lovely smell, but they are also non-toxic and feature antibacterial elements that work to fight unpleasant odors. Try to give your dishwasher a vinegar bath every two to three months. That way, you’ll be able to prevent disgusting smells from developing.
How to Get Rid of Nasty Washing Machine Smells
Washing machines start to smell nasty when detergent residue, minerals, dirt and mildew build up in them. When your washing machine starts to smell, it can cause your laundry to smell bad too. Here’s how to remove washing machine odors.
- Gather your cleaning supplies
The first step is to collect:
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- Let your washer do the work
Combine ¼ cup of your baking soda with the water and dump the solution into your washing machine’s detergent distributor. Then, pour 2 cups of vinegar into your washer’s basin. With the cleaning substances in your washer, run a wash cycle on high heat without any clothing items.
- Give it a good scrub
After your washing machine has completed its cycle, give it a good scrub. Use elbow grease to get rid of any residual grime. Once your washing machine is clean, leave the door open so that it can dry. Try to leave the door open whenever you’re not using it to prevent mildew from forming.
You can also stop dust and debris from making their way into your machine by wiping your appliance down regularly using a clean rag and a non-abrasive cleanser.
Stop Unpleasant Odors from Developing
Stop unpleasant odors from developing with cleaning maintenance. After using your washer, wipe down the interior of your machine. With your dishwasher, consider leaving the door open after running it to allow the inside to dry completely. Keep vinegar and baking soda on hand to remove unpleasant odors if they should start to develop. If you don’t have time, consider hiring a professional to clean for you. At Helping Hands Cleaning Services, we clean residential homes, apartments, condos and office spaces. To learn more, or to make an appointment, contact us at Helping Hands Cleaning Services.
