How do you descale a dishwasher?
Descale dishwasher in 5 steps
In order to descale your dishwasher properly, go through the 5 steps below:
- Step 1. Make sure the dishwasher is empty
- Step 2. Run a 65°C cycle
- Step 3. Open the door after 30 minutes
- Step 4. Spread out the descaler on the bottom
- Step 5. Start the cycle
Step 1: empty the dishwasher
Completely empty the dishwasher first, so there are no dishes or cutlery left behind. Don't forget the filter on the bottom either. Food residue can build up there, which makes the dishwasher smell bad. When you're cleaning the machine, the food residue could enter the dishwasher again.
Step 2: run a 65°C cycle
Select a cycle with a temperature of at least 65°C. The intensive cycle of 70°C is very suitable for this. Don't use any dishwasher detergent or other cleaners. Does your dishwasher have a special cycle for machine cleaning? Use this cycle.
Step 3: open the door after 30 minutes
When the cycle has been running for 30 minutes, you carefully open the dishwasher door ajar. The dishwasher will automatically pause the cycle. Don't open the door all the way in one go. If you do, water might pour out of the dishwasher. That's because the dishwasher hasn't had the time to drain the water.
Step 4: spread out the descaler
Grab the descaler and spread it out on the bottom. How much you should use depends on the descaler. Some brands have a sachet per cleaning cycle that you empty into the dishwasher in its entirety. Do you have a pot of descaler? Check how many grams you need per use. Don't use vinegar to descale the dishwasher. It damages the appliance.
Step 5: resume the cycle
Resume the cycle and let it finish. The descaler will spread out through the dishwasher and dissolves properly thanks to the high temperature. As a result, all of the limescale in the dishwasher will come off. Try to descale the dishwasher 2 times per year.