How to descale a dishwasher

One of our regular customers asked if there was a descaler for dishwashers, suspecting a layer of limescale had accumulated inside his "home helper." Indeed, given how hard our water is, this problem is a common one for most dishwasher owners. This is true even despite the use of water softeners. We'll attempt to answer this question in detail in this article, taking into account its various aspects and nuances.

How is cleaning done?

Watching commercials makes you think you can buy a magic product and forget about limescale problems. After all, these products are so amazing that they free your dishwasher not only from limescale but also from mold and other stains. In reality, if you don't know how to properly descale your dishwasher, you'll simply use up the cleaning product and waste your time, leaving the limescale behind.

To effectively remove scale from the circulation pump, wash bin, pipes, and other parts of the dishwasher, it is necessary to use one or another product in a specific order. It is important not to leave the solution of water and descaling agent inside the dishwasher for too long, so that this solution does not damage the parts. At the same time, it's crucial to ensure that the cleaning chemicals interact with the limescale, otherwise it simply won't wash out of the machine and you'll have to repeat the cleaning process. Let's dwell on this issue and examine it in more detail.

1. When cleaning your dishwasher with a commercial descaler, please read the instructions carefully. The manufacturer's recommendations on the packaging are followed. In this case, it's important to follow the recommended dosage, keep it in the system for the specified time, and rinse it out of the dishwasher promptly. One empty cycle of at least 40 minutes is usually sufficient.
2. If you're cleaning with citric acid, take 200 grams of this wonderful household product, pour it into the bottom of the dishwasher's wash tank, and run a regular cycle without any dishes. About halfway through the cycle, pause for 20 minutes, then run it again. This removes limescale very well, but there's a risk of damaging the seals inside, so use this product with caution and only in extreme cases.

Please note! After pouring citric acid into the dishwasher's wash tank, gently scrub the walls with it, and then, after 5-7 minutes, run any long wash cycle.

3. Some people use vinegar to descale their dishwasher. It's not exactly a safe solution, but that's not what we're talking about here; we'll focus on how to use it. Pour two cups of vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher's wash bin. Then, put on rubber gloves and use a sponge to spread the vinegar over the inside of your dishwasher, gently wiping it down. Then, run a wash cycle and, before it's completely finished, stop the machine and let it sit for 30-40 minutes. Then, restart the cycle and finish, then run another cycle to flush the system of chemicals.

In particularly severe cases, when limescale deposits clog the pipes and circulation unit, preventing water from flowing properly through the system, physical cleaning is necessary. For this type of work, it's best to hire a professional who will disassemble the dishwasher and manually remove the limescale deposits from the pipes and other components. They will then reassemble the dishwasher.

Anti-limescale products

So, we've answered the question of how to clean a dishwasher of limescale and scale in general; at least, the procedure is clear. Now we need to decide what to use to remove this unpleasant limescale buildup from the dishwasher. And not just what to clean it with, but which product will do the job best? This is where our review of anti-limescale products for dishwashers comes in handy. Our experts prepared this review a little earlier for a completely different purpose.

• Frau Schmidt Dishwasher Cleaning Tablets. These tablets are unique in that they effectively remove grease, limescale, and any other buildup. The great thing about this product is that you don't have to worry about how to clean your dishwasher and what to use to remove all types of stains. Just buy the tablets and they're ready to clean everything. But in fact, tablets will not help with a large accumulation of limescale deposits. So if you have a complex case, it's better to choose a more powerful remedy. It's made in France and costs an average of $3.50 for two tablets.
  
• Top House Express Dishwasher Cleaner. This is also a versatile cleaner for a variety of stains, but it's available in liquid form and is much more effective than tablets. Top House will help remove limescale, grease, mold, and other stains from your dishwasher. Be careful when using it and read the instructions carefully. Made in Germany, it costs $5 for a 250 ml bottle.
  
• Clean Home is an express cleaning product. It's effective at removing various types of dirt from your dishwasher, but it's quite weak at removing limescale. So, if your dishwasher isn't too badly clogged, you can try this product; otherwise, you'll need to resort to physical cleaning. Made in Russia, the average price is $2.30.
  
• Electrolux Washing Machine and Dishwasher Descaler. The ingredient in this brand-name descaler was developed specifically for cleaning Electrolux dishwashers and washing machines. It's an excellent product. However, it does have one drawback: the price. It costs $12.50 for 200 ml, and it only lasts for two cleanings.
  

In some cases, Electrolux removes even 3-4 mm of limescale. Our experts have personally tested this.

Any of the dishwasher descaling products listed above will provide excellent care for your dishwasher, regardless of brand. However, it's best not to overwork your dishwasher to the point where a limescale buildup prevents water from circulating. Clean your machine with your chosen product at least 1-2 times a year and your machine will serve you for a long time.

What if you don't clean it?

Some dishwasher users don't even consider it necessary to clean their "household helpers." They sincerely believe that the need for cleaning is a hoax invented by advertisers to sell special tablets, gels, and powders, thereby extracting money from people accustomed to the appliance. Some of these skeptics are truly lucky. They use their dishwashers for years without any problems, but they are rare.

If your water supply contains a lot of impurities, your dishwasher will last a maximum of 2-3 years without cleaning, and then something will inevitably go wrong. Therefore, to save your money, we recommend cleaning it regularly to avoid the need for repairs.replacing the heating element in a dishwasher Or, even worse, replacing the circulation pump. Such a repair will cover all your savings on cleaning products over the years, plus an extra $50 or even $100, so it's up to you.

In conclusion, descaling your dishwasher requires very little effort: just pick the right product and use it according to the instructions. Failure to do this promptly can lead to serious technical issues that will be difficult to resolve without a professional. Good luck!

   

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