Experts in cleaning and appliances have issued a warning to Brits about using two common household items for rinsing their dishwashers. Apple cider vinegar and baking soda are often recommended as simple, effective solutions for cleaning various household items and stains.
However, they are not suitable for everything. The consumer advice experts at Which? have recently provided some essential tips on dishwasher cleaning and upkeep.
They’ve outlined tasks that should be performed weekly, monthly and annually, including running the appliance on the highest cycle twice a year to eliminate bacteria. They advocate the use of a dedicated dishwasher cleaner but have advised against using apple cider vinegar and lemon for cleaning, reports the Express.
Their Instagram post cautioned: “Do not chuck in apple cider vinegar or lemon juice; it’s a quality piece of engineering, not a fish supper. Course it helps to use the very best dishwasher tablets in the first place.”
Additionally, they have highlighted that soda crystals should not be used to clean your dishwasher. Appliance specialists at Currys have also confirmed that this method is not appropriate for dishwashers.
While soda crystals are “great” for cleaning other home appliances, they can damage a dishwasher. They pointed out that using soda crystals in place of dishwasher salt can lead to limescale deposits that clog pipes and prevent the dishwasher from working correctly.
Good Housekeeping has highlighted that soda crystals and vinegar can react to create calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, potentially leading to blocked pipes, as shared in a post by Which? (@whichuk). On the topic of apple cider vinegar, opinions seem divided.
Currys noted that if you’re out of white vinegar, apple cider vinegar can serve as a solid backup. You would need to add some apple cider vinegar to a dishwasher-safe jug or cup, position it on the dishwasher’s top rack, and run a complete cycle.
On the other hand, CNET warned of the potential harm apple cider vinegar could do, including deteriorating rubber seals and gaskets, along with possible discolouration of metal surfaces. They said: “Be aware that vinegar can break down the rubber gaskets and hoses in your dishwasher, leading to costly damage. On top of that, if vinegar mixes with salt that’s been left on your dishes, it can discolour metal pans, flatware and mixing bowls.”
They cautioned against using vinegar in the rinse aid dispenser, offering tips for those who still wish to use vinegar in their dishwashers.
CNET recommended these tips for anyone who uses vinegar in their dishwashers:
- Use white vinegar with the lowest acidity possible. Most come with six per cent acidity but if you can, try to find five per cent. This is the lowest concentration of acidity for household white vinegar and will cause the least amount of damage.
- Pour the vinegar into the bottom of your dishwasher during the rinse cycle so it’s diluted with water.
- Even better, pour a cup of vinegar into a bowl and place it on the bottom rack of your dishwasher.