Periodic maintenance of your GE dishwasher is crucial to keep it working in tip-top condition. One of these aspects includes keeping it clean. A clean dishwasher is a safe dishwasher, so in this guide, we are going to show you how to clean your GE dishwasher.
Things to consider before cleaning your dishwasher
So, you want to start cleaning out your dishwasher. That’s all well and good. But before you do, there are some things you need to consider, such as tools and safety precautions.
Before going inside the dishwasher, unplug the dishwasher from the wall socket or turn off the corresponding breaker. After that, make sure that the floor is not wet.
Gather your supplies, which include:
- Screwdriver
- Small brush
- Cloth rags
- Toothpicks
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Dishwashing soap
- Some paper towels
Step by Step
How to clean a GE Dishwasher Filter
To clean out your filter, you can follow the steps shown below:
- Take out the removable parts, which include: trays, bottom spray arm, hub nut, fine filter, conduit main, and venturi.
- Gently pull up the filter from the sump housing.
- Take the coarse screen and filter basket to the sink, and with the help of a brush and some soap, clean them out.
If you’re unsure how to remove each of these parts, this YouTube video will guide you on the specifics.
How to clean the GE Dishwasher Interior
Clean the small removable parts using soap. Also, add baking powder to brush off stains and mildew.
You can clean the bottom of the dishwasher (the bottom panel which holds the coarse screen) using soap and baking powder. However, please use paper towels instead of a brush on this flat stainless steel surface.
You can clean the soap dispenser using a brush and some baking soda, make sure that any holes are not clogged up, and use a toothpick to scrape off those large stubborn soap deposits.
How to clean the GE Dishwasher Exterior
After you’ve cleaned the interior and all the removable parts. (including the top and bottom trays) You can start working on the exterior.
First, apply some vinegar on the rubber seal around the edges of the dishwasher door. Rinse out your toothbrush – if you’ve used it before – and brush the rubber seal and its metal surface very thoroughly to get rid of any food particles or mildew.
Soak a rag in vinegar and gently wipe down the surface of the dishwasher door. Pay extra attention to the sides and the area around the control panel.
How to Eliminate Odors from your GE Dishwasher
- Baking Soda
In the previous set of instructions, we mentioned using baking soda to clean the more difficult parts of the dishwasher. This is because, baking soda is a versatile cleaning agent that can take on dirt, grime, and grease with ease.
To get rid of odors in your GE dishwasher, add nothing but one cup of baking powder to the bottom of the dishwasher and run the dishwasher. Don’t mix it with vinegar because it will lose its potency.
- White Vinegar
Vinegar is another great cleaning agent. It’s an amazing acidic compound that can easily get rid of stains, soap, and brine.
Where it really shines is when getting rid of odors in your GE dishwasher.
Add 2 cups of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher – just like we did with the baking soda, but make sure not to mix the two – and start the dishwasher and let it run for one cycle.
You can also alternate between the two, vinegar and baking soda, once a month.
Tips and Tricks on Keeping the Dishwasher Clean
Tip 1: Instead of baking soda, you can use a compound called “Borax.” Borax is commonly used in detergents as a laundry booster. It can deodorize, whiten and even get rid of mold.
Tip 2: To help give your glasses an extra sparkle, you can also add a 1/4 cup of Borax to the bottom when doing a normal load of dishes.
Tip 3: When cleaning the bottom of the dishwasher interior, you can also use some Chlorox wipes to clean the bottom, but make sure that you don’t leave any Chlorine out for long because it will corrode the stainless steel surface.
Questions & Answers
Why Does My Dishwasher Smell So Bad?
With frequent use, your dishwasher will accumulate a lot of food particles and grease. These particles will be too big to pass through the filter basket, and over time, these will build up Bacteria, which is the primary source for these smelly odors.
How Do I Remove a Clog in my Dishwasher?
If there is a clog inside the dishwasher, you will have to remove the fine filter, the filter basket and check for any food particles causing a blockage. If not, check the pipes underneath the sink. However, don’t forget to use a bucket to drain all the clogged-up wastewater.
Why won’t my GE dishwasher drain off the water?
Sometimes, even after you’ve cleared out any blockages, you can still have issues with the GE dishwasher not draining properly.
A few other reasons could be:
- A damaged/clogged impeller on the drain pump
- Clogged up air-gap
- Issues with the garbage disposal
However, before you dive deeper into the drain pump, make sure that you have the proper tools at your disposal.
Why are the dishes still dirty after running the cycle?
Sometimes, the dishes (more specifically, glassware) come out with a thin cloudy film and small bits of food particles stuck to them.
If you are experiencing a similar situation, The most obvious reason is that the filter is clogged up, and wastewater is getting recirculated inside the dishwasher. We recommend cleaning the filter basket and the other removable parts.
How to clean GE dishwasher soap dispenser?
When not cleaned out regularly, the doors on your GE dishwasher can get blocked up. Follow these steps to clean out any soap residue.
- Try pouring warm water over the soap dispenser.
- Use a toothbrush or toothpick to scrape out any tight residue.
- If there’s any buildup of chalky scale, try pouring a little vinegar while you are scrubbing.
Conclusion
Periodic maintenance on any household appliance is a crucial requirement. Therefore, knowing how to clean a GE dishwasher is an important skill. A well-maintained dishwasher will be free of germs and unpleasant odors, with the clean dishes coming out better than when you first bought them, sparkling and immaculate.
