How to descale a dishwasher? Why do the glasses and cutlery have such unattractive white streaks when they come out? And somehow, the machine has started to stink.
When the device’s cleaning ability diminishes and starts to smell bad, you probably have a problem with lime deposits. These can also increase the electricity costs for running the machine, even if the heating elements are affected.
Regular descaling is therefore helpful in several ways. Read here how to descaling the dishwasher the best way!
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Descaling dishwashers the right way!
Descaling dishwasher steps:
- You will find a more extensive selection of professional descaling agents in the drugstore, supermarkets, and online shops.
- The descaling agents are available both in liquid form and as tabs. Some of the liquid descaling agents can be getting hung in the dishwasher’s basket.
- Please give attention to the instructions on the packaging. Awash cycle at around 60 degrees is often getting recommended.
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How to prepare the dishwasher for descaling?
Every modern dishwasher has a built-in decalcifying system. But unfortunately, this is no guarantee against calf deposits.
For the best possible results and overall cleanliness, it is advisable to pre-clean the cleared machine a little.
Dishwasher descaling steps:
- Remove the spraying arms. They are usually only attached or locked in place with a screw cap. Clean them with a dishwashing detergent. Alternatively, you can use a warm vinegar-water mixture.
- Remove any food residue from the spray openings – this hinders the full functionality of the arms. Then put the cleaned parts back in place.
- Check the sieve at the bottom of the machine pan for dirt and clean it if necessary.
- Check the inside of the machine for coarse deposits. We can find these often in the area around the door, corners, edges, and other places where moisture remains for extended periods. Remove the deposits with a sponge cloth and a limescale-dissolving cleaning agent. In this way, you can also pre-treat the rubber seals of the door.
See Also: How To Decalcify Water?
How often should you decalcify the dishwasher?
Just watch the heating element of your machine. Decalcification is not yet necessary if it is free of visible limescale deposits. Generally speaking, you should decalcify your dishwasher at least once a year or three times a year.
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Descale the dishwasher properly.
In general, always carry out descaling without using any dishes. Use a simple decalcifier as described and shown above. The acids contained there dissolve the lime. A glance at the manufacturer’s operating instructions will help you, and they tell you which descaler is getting recommended.
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Descale dishwasher with vinegar essence (home remedies)
- Pour two cups of vinegar essence into the machine’s interior. If possible, distribute when tipping. You can also use lemon essence.
- Then run the regular program (65 degrees). The pre-rinse cycle is not needed; if possible, switch it off.
- Do not pour in essence until approx 15 minutes after starting the program.
- You can decalcify the dishwasher safely, lastingly, and at a reasonable price with vinegar essence.
Tip
If you use concentrated vinegar essence instead of vinegar, it is sufficient to put about ten tablespoons of it in the dishwasher. As the liquid has a strong smell, a further (empty) rinse after decalcification can be helpful to wash away the vinegar smell.
See Also: Descaling Household Appliances With Vinegar
Descaling dishwasher with citric acid
If you want to apply citric acid for descaling, there is an essential difference to vinegar; it works with lower water temperature.
The reason is that citric acid combines with lime to form a so-called calcium complex from which calcium citrate is getting created in combination with high temperatures.
This white substance causes deposits that exceed the hardness of lime and are therefore difficult to remove. You should replace lime deposits with more stubborn calcium citrate deposits in case of doubt.
Using citric acid for descaling dishwasher steps:
- In a suitable container, mix approximately two liters of cold water with ten tablespoons of citric acid.
- Switch on the dishwasher and select a program with the lowest possible temperature for cold descaling.
- Please wait for the water in the machine, then switch it off and open it to pour in the water-citric acid mixture.
- Then close the device again and let the mixture work for at least one hour. Then turn the machine back on, start the program again and let it run through.
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Descale the dishwasher with baking soda and baking powder.
As an alternative to vinegar essence or citric acid, we can use baking powder and baking soda. You can replace the household remedies with one of the others, depending on your preference.
Or you can use the power of several household remedies at the same time:
- Combined baking soda or baking powder with vinegar essence and citric acid work wonder against lime.
- Sprinkle two or one spoon of baking soda or baking powder on the bottom of the dishwasher and put vinegar essence or citric acid in the dishwasher detergent compartment.
- Mix one part of vinegar essence with two pieces of water.
Hint
Do not use the pre-wash cycle – this will rinse away your detergent on the floor. Then start the machine at least 60 degrees. If stubborn deposits remain, rub them off with some vinegar essence or citric acid and a sponge.
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How to avoid calcification in the dishwasher with salt?
Dishwasher manufacturers recommend using unique salt (not household salt) for hard water.
It helps the dishwasher soften the water and prevents unsightly lime stains on the glasses. Conversely, a dishwasher that quickly calcifies means that salt may have to be getting refilled.
Some dishwashers have an indicator light for this, which signals when the salt is getting used up. Or you can check the compartment regularly.
Then follow the dosage information in the instructions. If you deal with slightly soft water, Multi tabs can also replace the unique salt.
Another reason your dishwasher calcifies quickly can be an incorrect decalcification setting, and the dishwasher will calcify faster if this does not correspond to your local water hardness.
So when you buy a new dishwasher or move house, check the water hardness with your supplier.
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How to prevent dishwasher calcification?
An essential measure against calcification is the correct setting of the dishwasher’s descaling system. The water has a different hardness in each region, which often does not match the appliance’s standard set.
Therefore, you should ask your municipal utilities about the local water hardness and compare the value with the setting on the machine.
You will find the necessary information and setting instructions in the operating instructions. Look for a section that says Adjust water hardness, Hardness setting ion exchanger, or similar.
After adjustment, make sure that regenerating salt is always filled in the correct amount so that the descaling system works.
If you only use cleaning tabs and do not use salt, the water may not be getting decalcified sufficiently.
To further prevent this, you can use the methods mentioned above one to two times a year, depending on the water hardness.
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Last Updated on 01/04/2022 by Buzz This Viral
