Ok, I’m going out on a limb here but I can’t be the only one who’s noticed.
Have you ever been to a restaurant and lifted your glass to take a drink and you can smell the glass? Not the liquid inside, but the actual glass?
Plasticware is way worse, but it’s a mix of washed food and another smell that I can’t quite place…
…and it’s everywhere! But it got me thinking: Do my dishes smell like this? Are they really getting clean?
Yikes! Talk about a mom meltdown.
But as you all know, I’ve been on a cleaning bend! And one thing I’ve been focusing on is my cleaning habits and the products I’m bringing into my home.
And as I’ve done my research and tried and tested some things, clean dishes aren’t all about the dishwasher.
So here are my 5 tried-and-true tips that will give you clean, lovely smelling dishes every single wash.
• Rinse AND Wipe
All those goopy soups, milk crusted mugs, and baked-on casseroles can overload your dishwasher. And I get it, no one wants to wash their dishes before they wash their dishes; it’s just silly. But you also wouldn’t stick a bedsheet with vomit all over it straight into the washing machine – you’d rinse it first! Wiping food bits off your dishes is as much about the clean look as it is the clean
smell when they’re done!
• Your Dishwasher Has A Map
If you don’t have the manual that came with your dishwasher, Google it. Your dishwasher has a specific design and layout to get the best possible results when you load it properly. Take 5 minutes to find out how your dishwasher is supposed to be loaded. I promise, you will be blown away!
• Don’t Overload Your Dishwasher
You have a lot of dirty dishes and you want to fit them all in. I get it. It’s super tempting to layer in one more bowl or plate to avoid hand washing. But overloading your dishwasher is as bad as loading it improperly. Most times, it means a rewash!
• Get Smart About Your Dishwashing Detergent
I’ve been a Cascade girl as long as I can remember. My parents used it, I use it, and it’s not something I ever thought about switching up. But when I decided to use safer products for my family, I started to do my research and for a hot minute, thought I’d have to give up my beloved Cascade for something that came in a cardboard container. But Cascade Pure Essentials dishwasher detergent has absolutely saved the day! Not only am I getting the clean I’m used to, but it’s basically cleaning with a conscience. It’s formulated with bio-based and other thoughtfully selected ingredients. It’s got essential oils that offer a light citrus scent (goodbye dishwashing smell) and it’s Cascade’s only dye-free liquid pod!
But it can’t be good for just my family, it has to be good for the environment. Cascade Pure Essentials dishwashing detergent comes in dissolvable clear pods so there’s zero waste to landfills. And they’ve been made with zero phosphates and no chlorine bleach. My dishwasher manufacturer actually recommends I wash with Cascade, as most do!
There’s a reason why it’s the #1 recommended dishwashing detergent brand!
SHOP ALL MY GREEN CLEANING FAVORITES
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• Clean Your Trap & Seals Regularly
Down in no man’s land, under the lower sprayer, there’s usually a piece that is removable. It’s either a removable tray that can be rinsed or you’re going to need to get in there with a rag and wipe it out. Next, take a hot, steaming rag and wipe around the rubber gasket in the door and around the soap door as well. This will help keep grime down!
If you do these 5 things, I promise that you will look forward to unpacking that dishwasher every time it dings! I don’t know about you, but as I get older, there’s a certain satisfaction that comes with cleaning like a boss. And if you want to not only get those dishes super clean AND feel good about what you’re cleaning them with, now through March 30, you’ll receive $1 off any one Cascade Pure Essentials ActionPacs 30 count or larger by downloading a coupon here!
Happy Washing!
Xx Tara
Have you found other good practices for keeping that precious dishwasher running well? Leave me your tips below!
the pure cascade sounds interesting to try. is that a kitchenaid dishwasher with the third rack? i had mine for about 6 months now and find that it smells no matter what. i cannot find the source of the smell and had clean the filter cap many times. i did notice standing water inside the bottom cap and don’t know how to drain it. also, the bottom front retains a film of crude all the time. does yours? its so frustrating and now i sprinkle baking soda on each wash cycle.
That’s not good! I would do a vinegar rinse! Put 2 cups (500 mL) white vinegar in a glass or dishwasher-safe measuring cup on the bottom rack.
Run the dishwasher through a complete washing cycle using an air-dry or an energy-saving dry option. Do not use detergent. Vinegar will mix with the wash water. The other thing that might help is to clean the filters: https://producthelp.kitchenaid.com/Dishwashers/Dishwasher_Cleaning_and_Care/How_to_Clean_the_Dishwasher_Filters Hope this helps!
Run the hot water before you start your dishwasher. It fills up with water and it should be hot to sanitize! The things you learn when you have the repairman at your house. Ha!
I read this somewhere recently! Sooo smart! The things you never think to do, right?
Where did u get those adorable slippers?