To never have cleaned my dishwasher

[Pavementworrier]

Is it true you're supposed to do it monthly???

No, you still need to open the filter and give that a scrub. Nothing will dissolve what’s in there it needs to be ‘picked off’. I can only describe it as the equivalent of if you squeezed out all the juice out of an orange and was left with the white stringy bits - that’s the consistency. I use an Ikea kitchen brush just to scrub it off under water.

Also - would it blow your mind if I told you you’re supposed to unscrew the wing things as well and scrub around the holes? That also builds up the same stuff as around your filter!

WHAT??!

Good grief, the things you learn. I’ve had dishwashers since 1989, and apart from the filters and the door, I’ve never cleaned one. I’m sure I will start now…

We had a new hob fitted. The repair man put his cup in dishwasher. He said that could do with a clean (I'd never done it). He said once a month to six weeks.... I must admit I did it and it smells lovely.

No! It’s like a round thing at the bottom of the dishwasher! You twist and pull out a cylinder of muck!

@Pavementworrier- No you gotta pull it out. It will look like a grey jelly smell like something ungodly.

Of course you need to clean them!

The edges get filthy and the filter develops like a mould sponge.

You also need to take out the grill thst goes around the filter and clean the arms.

Yep. I unscrew the filter and give it a clean. There's always a few peas in there along with bacterial slime. Also look around and under the door edges. Last time it took several sheets of paper towel to remove the brown bacterial slime that has accumulated along the door seals. It stank.Yummy.

I just use soda crystals on a hot run to give a general clean once in a while.

Never knew about the filter thing. Is it obvious where it is. Am I going to have to dismantle it. Also how do you clean a washing machine?????

Oh I do this as otherwise ours beeps at us non stop and drives us mad! I just make up a jug of sodium per carbonate and pour that into the space whilst I clean the removable filter and grill bit, leave it for an hour and then run a wash as normal.

I’m patiently awaiting the dishwasher finishing its current cycle so I can investigate 😂 Thank you!

What/where is the filter...?

Wait, what?! That has indeed blown my mind 😂 That is a job for tomorrow when I am feeling strong!

Oh dear

Hate to break it to you but I'm a terrible housewife who doesn't wash her skirting boards or anything. And worse.

Even I clean out the dishwasher filters every few weeks months (and thought I was being disgusting for not doing it more often).

How are your dishwashers still functioning and not leaving grime on the crockery if you aren't doing this!?

Are you the same people who keep having to replace vacuums because they lose suction (but it's actually because you haven't cleaned the filters?)

Genuinely the first time I've felt smug on mumsnet. I'm usually the dirty scratter doing it wrong by everyone else's standards.

This calls for a (clean) glass of wine!

Here’s a pic hopefully yours looks similar

I’ve also attached a pic of this perfect lady washing the filter in her lovely gold trimmed sink. Not a marigold in sight 😂😂😂

Doesn't anyone read instruction manuals anymore?

Same! It’s the first time I’ve felt like a functional adult 😮😊

I dont have one at home but they are on all the sites I work at , most have 2 one has 6 . All slightly different designs

They get their filters cleaned, then the seals, a Finish dishwasher cleaner put in DO NOT take the cap off , just the label on the cap the hot water desolves the wax seal put it in upside down on the top shelf and put the washer on its hottest wash.
Then top up the salt and rinse aid .
Every month without fail .

To be clear I did that once in the 5 years I’ve had it. I then drew the line at filter 😂

This is where mine is on my dishwasher. You unscrew the top and the cylinder filter comes out along with the flat mesh filter. I wash in soapy water and use an old toothbrush to get the funky off

What the fuck?????

What is the point of having a washing machine that doesn't fucking wash itself

Mine (AEG) tells me when it needs a clean. I dismantle the wings and clean the filter and then run a special self cleaning wash with dishwasher cleaner. About every 6 weeks but we aren't heavy users. It really needs it - the muck that comes out! And I use a bleach spray around the edges of the machine door and base. It gets filthy.

I might just buy a new machine

Oh Blimey. You've never cleaned your dishwasher? I do mine about every 3-4 weeks and they are always absolutely minging with clogged arms and the large filter is disgusting. If you don't clean your dishwasher you are basically cleaning with greasy mouldy water.

It takes 15 minutes. Just add it into your cleaning schedule.