Every time you use your dishwasher, it cleans itself out, so you might not expect it to be a breeding ground for mildew – but it can be. Mold and mildew can grow on rubber parts such as the drain seal, gasket, crevices and other interior areas of the dishwasher. Moreover, the dishwasher’s moisture and temperatures are favorable for the growth of mildew. Controlling dishwasher mildew requires cleaning, ventilating and disinfecting.

Dishwasher Mildew

Whether you are maintaining your microwave or refrigerator, it is important to take care of your appliances. This article outlines how you can get rid of mold and mildew in the dishwasher. It also highlights some common tricks you can use to prevent mildew from growing in your dishwasher.

Health Risk of Mildew in Your Dishwasher

Some types of mold and mildew, including those that could be living in your dishwasher, are associated with allergic reactions. Symptoms such as sore throat, sneezing and even skin rashes indicate that you’ve been affected by a mildew infestation. If not taken care of immediately, mildew can put your health at risk.

How to Get Rid of Dishwasher Mildew

There are several options for killing dishwasher mildew. Some of the most common effective solutions include laundry detergent, vinegar and bleach. However, if you choose to use bleach to clean the dishwasher, there are 

several factors to bear in mind. Although bleach is effective at cleaning the surface of your dishwasher, it’s not very effective at removing mildew in porous parts. Moreover, bleach can be irritating to people with sensitive skin.

Detergent and vinegar, on the other hand, are considered safer and milder. Dish detergent or laundry is even recommended by professionals for dealing with a mildew infestation.

Vinegar is often combined with baking soda to create a solution with impressive disinfectant qualities. In addition to being effective at killing dishwasher mold and mildew, the solution can destroy other types of fungi and bacteria as well.

Before getting rid of mildew, you need to know how to clean a dishwasher – especially a filter in the correct way. A dishwasher filter that’s not cleaned correctly will turn out to be a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

To clean the filter, start by removing it from its place at the bottom part of the dishwasher. Then, simply wash it with warm water and dishwashing soap. Then use hot water to rinse it thoroughly before fitting it back.

Now, your next step is to clean mildew out of the dishwasher. As mentioned above, you can choose between vinegar (with baking soda), detergent and bleach.

If the issue persists and you are in need of dishwasher repair, consider hiring a professional. They have the experience and knowledge to aid you in your appliance issue. 

Bottom Line

Cleaning dishwasher mildew from your dishwasher is not enough. You also need to ensure your dishwasher is spotless so that there’s no chance for the mildew to come back. It’s highly advisable to clean your dishwasher regularly. Clean all parts separately as well as the interior with soap and detergent. Another easy way to clean the dishwasher is by running a cycle while the dish racks are empty. This is a great tip to keep in mind for all of your kitchen appliances.