I just moved into a new apartment and, while cleaning the dishwasher, I discovered some pretty gross stuff. There was this hard, sticky buildup on the drain grate, and when I removed it, I found dark, slimy mold underneath. I've managed to scrub that thoroughly and soaked it in bleach. However, the real problem is a large patch of dark gray or black mold growing on the inside bottom of the dishwasher door. I can clean that area, but I'm worried about hidden mold lurking elsewhere. Every time I work on it, my nose gets incredibly stuffed up, which is concerning. I'm considering running a few empty cycles to remove any detergent residue, followed by a bleach cycle to tackle any hidden mold in the hoses and pump. My dishwasher is likely around 15-20 years old, and I might be the first person to clean it properly. Can I trust it to be safe and hygienic after this, or should I just keep it sealed and opt for a portable one instead?
2 Answers
Using monthly dishwasher cleaning tablets is a great way to keep things fresh. Also, make sure the door is left open after washing to let it dry out. Check that the drain hose is positioned correctly to avoid dirty water backing up. Regularly clean the filter, seals, and spray arms too—that should help control the mold situation!
Try putting a bowl filled with bleach inside the dishwasher and running it on a quick clean mode. Do that a few times, and it should help make it safe to use again. Just be cautious if your machine has stainless steel parts, as bleach can damage those!
I appreciate the tip! I’ll give that a shot.
Yikes, didn’t think about the stainless steel! Thanks for the heads up!