Restore Your Dishwasher to Its Former Glory With These Dishwasher Cleaning Hacks

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It’s easy to forget that the cleaning devices in our homes need cleaning. Devices like your washing machine, vacuum cleaner and dishwasher go about their day-to-day business, often without anyone realizing that over time, grime and general dirt build ups can affect their efficiency and even harm them in the long term. In the case of dishwashers, the answer is to semi-regularly use one of the best dishwasher cleaners.

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During use, dishwashers build up bacteria, lime and general grime from water and leftover food. It would be easy to assume that running the dishwasher on its everyday dish-washing function would be enough to clean its insides. But the reality is that the stubborn grime, which makes its way onto your device’s walls, sprayers and drainage pipe, can sometimes be too tough for any standard washing function to remove. Luckily, deep cleaning your dishwasher isn’t a complicated task thanks to the array of different cleaning hacks which are capable of achieving the like-new appearance you’re after.

It may also surprise you to learn that you should be cleaning your cleaning devices on a regular basis. And not just the dishwasher, either. There are a number of benefits to regularly cleaning your devices. For dishwashers, these include:

• Cleanliness – First and foremost, cleaning your dishwasher’s insides removes dirt and grime which may inhibit your machine’s ability to clean. By treating the inside, you create a cleaner cleaning environment for your dishwasher to clean in, therefore producing better results. This is, of course, the whole reason for having a dishwasher in the first place.

• Efficiency – In addition to cleaning effectively, removing dirt and scum build-ups allows your device to work more efficiently, too. This means you can maximize the amount of dishes it cleans per round, confident that it is capable of achieving the required level of cleanliness.

• Longevity – Unsurprisingly, taking the physical stress of grimy conditions away from your device can increase its lifespan. Regular cleaning can prevent any unnecessary strain from being put on your device and ensures you get the maximum number of years of use from your dishwasher.

Below, you’ll find our top 12 dishwasher cleaner products and hacks for restoring your device to its former glory. We’ve included industrial-strength options along with eco-friendly and manual cleaning alternatives. Read on to find the best dishwasher cleaner for you.

1. Finish Dual Action Dishwasher Cleaner

With over 28,000 five-star ratings from Amazon users, this Finish Dual Action Dishwasher Cleaner is more than worthy of the number one spot. To clean your dishwasher, simply place the Finish bottle upside down in the dish rack of your device and set it on heavy wash. This simple action should rid your washing machine of all those pesky water stains and grease buildups. Furthermore, this popular cleaner also targets sprayer arms and pipes to deliver a comprehensive, machine-wide clean.

Buy: Finish Dual Action Dishwasher Cleaner $3.94 (orig. $5.99) 34% OFF

2. Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner Wipes

For a more hands-on approach to cleaning your dishwasher, give these Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner Wipes a try. Each wipe has been specially engineered to target and remove bacteria along with marks and stains on stainless steel. In addition to wiping down the inside and outside of your dishwasher, these wipes can be used on other stainless steel surfaces around your home, including your fridge, microwave and cooker top.

Buy: Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner Wipes $14.48

3. Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner

At under $6 and with over 65,000 five-star ratings, this Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner is a budget-friendly and tried-and-tested way to get your dishwasher looking like new again. You can choose from either a six- or a 12-piece pack of tablets which can be placed inside your machine, once a month, to prevent your dishwasher from building up limescale and odor. Insert a tablet wherever you normally place the soap before running it for one complete cycle. It’s also worth noting that, as well as cleaning the inside of your dishwasher, these tablets improve how efficiently it runs.

Buy: Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner $8.99

4. Finish In-Wash Dishwasher Cleaning Tabs

For a reliable way to stave off grease and dirt, try adding one of these Finish In-Wash Dishwasher Cleaning Tabs once a week. These well-reviewed tabs work to clean grime and grease from your machine’s insides, including the spraying arms, filters and unseen build-ups which may be hidden in the pipes. These tabs are simple to use, as they require nothing more than being placed in the bottom of your machine before you run a cycle. To get the best results from the tabs, try using them alongside Finish’s Quantum Detergent during a regular cleaning cycle.

Buy: Finish In-Wash Dishwasher Cleaning Tabs $4.79 (orig. $5.99) 20% OFF

5. Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Cleaner

Keep limescale, grease and unpleasant odors at bay by running one of these Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Cleaners through your empty machine once a month. The phosphate-free pods work to keep your dishwasher sparkling. In addition, if you really want to make the most of your cleaning, try using the pods alongside Cascade’s Platinum dishwasher detergent. As one of North America’s top recommended dishwasher detergent brands, you can’t go wrong choosing these cleaning pods for the job.

Buy: Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Cleaner $6.98

6. Eco-Gals Eco Scrubz Deep Cleaner Tablets

Each 12-pack of these Eco-Gals Eco Scrubz Deep Dishwasher Machine Cleaner Tablets fulfills your dishwasher cleaning needs for one whole year. Thanks to their eco-friendly makeup, they are septic safe and can be used in all dishwasher types. Simply add one to an unloaded wash, then sit back as these unscented tablets fight grease and dirt buildups to leave your machine cleaner while also prolonging its life.

Buy: Eco-Gals Eco Scrubz Deep Cleaner Tablets $9.99

7. Amazer Dish Brush Kitchen Scrub Brushes

If tablets just don’t seem to have the cleaning power you need to remove certain stains and you want to take a more drastic hands-on approach, grab one of these Amazer Dish Brush Kitchen Scrub Brushes. Originally designed for tough-to-clean dishes, these handy scrubbing tools will help wipe out those stubborn stains and food marks that just refuse to budge. Each pack includes two individual scrubbing brushes, meaning you can use one for cleaning your dishwasher and keep one for cleaning dishes.

Buy: Amazer Dish Brush Kitchen Scrub Brushes $8.99 (orig. $10.99) 18% OFF

8. Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

If you’re wondering whether there’s a product already in your kitchen cupboard which can work as a dishwasher cleaner, baking soda may be your answer. Baking soda, like this Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, can be used to remove stains and freshen up the insides of your device. Simply add a single cup of the white powder to the bottom of an empty dishwasher before running it on a short cycle. It’s that simple. And, if that’s not enough of a reason to buy baking soda, consider that this versatile powder can also be used as a mouthwash, a drain cleaner, a face and body scrub as well as several other handy items, too.

Buy: Arm & Hammer Baking Soda $13.04 (orig. $20.40) 36% OFF

9. Lucy’s Family Owned Natural Distilled White Vinegar

Distilled White Vinegar is another product you may already have in your kitchen cupboards that can be used to clean a dishwasher. If you don’t already have some, try this Lucy’s Family Owned Natural Distilled White Vinegar. It makes a versatile addition to any kitchen cupboard as it can be used for a wide range of tasks, including making your hair shinier, unclogging drains, whitening teeth and soothing itchiness. When it comes to cleaning a dishwasher, simply pour vinegar into a dishwasher-safe vessel and leave it sitting upright in the top rack of your machine. Run a complete warm cycle and voilà, it should be clean.

Buy: Lucy’s Family Owned Natural Distilled White Vinegar $12.99 (orig. $14.99) 13% OFF

10. Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner & Disinfectant

This Summit Brands Glisten Magic Machine Cleaner removes harmful residues, gets rid of stuck-on grime and improves the longevity of your machine, all while leaving the inside of your machine smelling lemony fresh. Each bottle of this EPA-registered, powerful cleaning treatment can last for up to 30 days. It’s effective at removing food buildups so the jets, tubes and pipes stay clear during everyday functioning. To use the cleaner, simply remove the lid, place the bottle upside down in the silverware rack, and then run the dishwasher on its hottest cycle.

Buy: Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner & Disinfectant $10.46 (orig. $18.99) 45% OFF

11. Smelly Washer Dishwasher Cleaner Treatment

If you’re looking for a product that can clean both your dishwasher and washing machine, this handy Smelly Washer Dishwasher Cleaner Treatment is your answer. This USA-made treatment is odor-free, septic-safe and all-natural, meaning it can be used with all dishwasher and washing machine types, including HE devices. The supplied bottle contains enough for up to 24 treatments, which should cover both a washing machine and dishwasher for at least 12 months.

Buy: Smelly Washer Dishwasher Cleaner Treatment $19.99

12. Lemi Shine Natural Dishwasher Cleaner Pouches

These Lemi Shine Natural Dishwasher Cleaner Pouches make things simple. To give your dishwasher its monthly clean, rip open a single pouch and pour its contents over the bottom of your empty dishwasher before running it as normal. Each box contains eight individual pouches which also produce a lemon scent inside your machine. In addition, if you’re looking for a comprehensive clean, especially in hard-water areas, consider combining the pouches with Lemi Shine’s dish detergent booster, shine and dry rinse and dishwashing detergent.

Buy: Lemi Shine Natural Dishwasher Cleaner Pouches $21.99

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