If you notice that your dishwasher is slow to drain or – even worse – completely blocked, the first instinct may be to call your local plumber or chase the dishwasher warranty. While your plumber will definitely be able to help with the problem, you may be able to do the job yourself.
Dishwashers are one of the many unsung heroes in the home; it is only when they are not fully functioning that you realise how much work they save (and how many family conflicts they prevent). Even if you rinse items before placing them in the dishwasher, debris will gather over time and will, eventually, form a blockage. We are going to cover the basics.
How do you know if you need to unclog your dishwasher?
There are five signs that your dishwasher would benefit from (or desperately needs) to be unclogged:
- Water from the dishwasher is backing up into the kitchen sink;
- The dishwasher drains slowly at the end of the cycle;
- Your dishes and cutlery are coming out of the dishwasher dirty;
- Your dishwasher is noisier than usual;
- You have standing water at the bottom of the dishwasher after a full cycle.
To unclog your dishwasher you will need:
- A cup or jug to empty it out;
- A toothbrush to clean the filter;
- A towel/cloths
- Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda or baking powder;
- Rubber gloves (optional).
Step one:
First of all, you need to remove the filter, cutlery holder, and racks from the dishwasher. Once this us done, bail out your dishwasher as best you can. Add one cup of water mixed with one cup of vinegar and allow to stand for 30 minutes.
Step two:
With your rubber gloves on, use your jug or cup to remove any standing water. Use your hands to remove any food or debris, and give the filter a good clean.
Step three:
Replace your cup rack and place an upright cup filled with vinegar on it. Run a hot cycle. Once this ends, sprinkle a cup of bicarbonate of soda and another cup of vinegar on the bottom of the dishwasher. Leave for half an hour before running another cycle.
The vinegar and baking powder/bicarbonate of soda trick is often as effective as expensive dishwasher unblockers. If it doesn’t work, you may need to contact a local plumber to take a look for you.
As always, prevention is better than cure. Just as you should clean your washing machine regularly, your dishwasher will run better if it is cleaned. Run a cycle of vinegar and bicarb every few weeks to prevent blockages and keep your dishwasher functioning well.
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