“Food leftovers are ground up during the washing cycle and disposed of in the drain,” Reed says. So where do you need to look for those remnants? Your dishwasher’s filter. By the way, dishwasher manufacturers recommend cleaning the filter at least once a month to prevent buildup, grime, and odor and Reed advises rinsing it weekly.
“Using white distilled vinegar can help lean your dishwasher by breaking down and removing soap scum and detergent residue, allowing your machine to wash your dishes properly and remove stubborn bits,” she says. You can also use a rinse aid in the detergent tray or bottom of your dishwasher to break down limescale and mineral buildup and rinse stray particles from the filter weekly.
But, Don’t Forget to Prep!
Before you chuck those dishes straight in the washer, remember that even though pre-washing dishes may be a waste of time, prepping them isn’t.
“The best way to prepare dishes for washing is to scrape off excess food and give a light rinse,” Reed says. Large particles, like bones, hard food, and any other food that may damage your dishwasher should all be scraped off and discarded, and if you really want to, run them under a little water. “You can rinse dishes before loading, but don’t pre-wash them.”
