Modern dishwashers are primarily made up of stainless steel. Although they look beautiful on the outside, you may need to put extra effort into cleaning the inside.
This will help maintain an odor-free dishwasher drain for a long time.
The whole process does not consume much time if done regularly. The primary reason for the dishwasher drain getting clogged is food debris, grease, etc. Make sure that you are regularly cleaning the inside of the dishwasher, and you will be fine.
If you want to clean a dishwasher drain, you will need to remove debris and blockages from the drain hose, unclog the drain, and clean the filter. Below, we have listed four ways that will help you can clean a dishwasher drain.
Table of Contents
Method 1: Cleaning the Draining Filter
To clean the drain filter, use a damp cloth and remove food debris. Ensure that you clean the bottom thoroughly because it may have residue stuck on it. A wet cloth will easily clean the dishwasher filter and catch basin.
Subsequently, detach the filter from the dishwasher. If you can’t do so, check the owner’s manual for instructions on how to drag out the filters from dishwashers.
Filters usually have four screws that hold them in place. You will need to remove the bottom rack to reach it.
Rinse the filter and let the water pass through the sink drain. It will remove grease or debris stuck on it. Clogged drain filters won’t let the dishwasher drain properly, resulting in dirty dishes.
Similarly, some people also use wet vacs as an alternative to water to keep debris away from filters.
Finally, place the filter back in its place. Use a screwdriver to reconnect it to the dishwasher. Before you tighten the screws, put them in their places.
It is a simple hack because if you, by mistake, drop one of them into the bottom of the dishwasher, you will not have to unscrew all of them to finish the work.
Method 2: Unclog Dishwasher Drains
The second method involves you dealing with clogged dishwasher drains. Before starting the cleaning, you need to access the dishwasher drains.
Hence, pull out the bottom rack from the dishwasher. Removing it will give you access to the drain, catch basin, and filter. Unplug the power cable before you start working.
Once you access the location of the drain catch, unscrew it and take it out of the dishwasher. In this case, too, you will have to use a screwdriver to unscrew it.
Typically, you will find the drain catch somewhere in the middle of the bottom of the dishwashers. Again, refer to the owner’s manual if you can not do this independently.
Removing Clogs
Once the dishwasher filter and drain catch is removed, you can see down the dishwasher drain line. Our next step is to remove clogs from the drain. You should use a straightened wire coat hanger or an auger for this job.
Now, add the mixture of baking soda and vinegar to the drain to remove any debris, grease, or scum present on the drain.
Use one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of vinegar to prepare the mix and pour it down the drain.
Some people may prefer commercial drain cleaner, but they come with harsh chemicals. These chemicals will stay in your dishwasher for some time.
Don’t disturb the mixture for the next 10-15 minutes. This is because baking soda and vinegar require some time to break down the clogs present in the drain. After the time passes, pour hot water into the mix to remove any remaining debris and allow for proper garbage disposal.
Finally, test your dishwasher by running it on a regular cycle. If you are successful, it will run with no problem, and there will be no pool of standing water.
Method 3: Removing Clog from Dishwasher Drain Hose
Start by shutting all the power connected to the dishwasher and drain hose.
Just remove the dishwasher’s plug from the outlet to disconnect it from electricity. If you want to double ensure, you can also remove the fuse from the fuse box.
Look at the owner’s manual to complete the whole process carefully.
Once you know the hose’s location, use the pliers to pinch the wire clamp and slide it up. You can also use a basin to collect spills that may come out from the hose during the process.
Another Method
Like the previous method, use a wire hanger or an auger to remove the debris from the hose. Wiggling the hose would make your work easier by removing the loose debris present inside.
You can use running water as an alternative to unclog the hose. Make sure that the running water is at high pressure.
Once you unclog the clogged drain pipe, reattach it to the dishwasher. Reconnect it to power and run it on a regular cycle with no dishes. You will notice if the dishwasher drains appropriately or not.
Method 4: Keeping the Dishwasher Clean
The dishwasher has a common drain link with the kitchen sink. Hence, if the standard drain gets clogged, there are high chances that the dishwasher will do the same.
Hence, it is recommended to use the garbage disposal immediately before using the dishwasher. Garbage disposal is used to prevent clogs.
Clogging often occurs due to the large food particles trapped in filters. To prevent this, always scrape off food particles before loading dishes into the empty dishwasher.
Remember to not over-rinse your dishes. Although removing large food items is a good habit, you should not completely pre-wash the plates.
This is because the washer needs a bit of grease and grime. If they are not present, they can be harmful to the machine.
The machine can also clog due to over-usage. Hence, use it only when the device is full of dishes and plates.
Final Tips
If you feel the appliances are not working fine, contact a plumber who has enough experience to remove a clog. They can fix any type of clog and will get your machine to work rightly again.
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