Upon returning home from our vacation, I found mildew growing in our dishwasher. Disgusting!
My house was nice and clean with I left, so I was surprised that my dishwasher did not enjoy its vacation from us. 🙂
Since we do not use paper plates in our home, I serve each meal on our everyday ceramic dishes. With dishes from three meals a day and snacks, our dishwasher gets a workout.
The warmth inside and the bout of inactivity brought on a growing case of mildew.
Though the black residue was only on the sides and the vent of the door, I quickly started ridding mildew from the dishwasher.
Ridding Mildew from the Dishwasher
- Tracy’s Tools of the Trade
1. Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner
2. Toothbrush
3. Old towel
- Tracy’s Cleaning Technique
1. Spray the mildew with the Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner
2. Wait about 5 minutes
3. Use the old toothbrush to remove stubborn mildew from the sides and vents
4. Dry off with the towel
One of the sides needed extra scrubbing to release the mildew. To get a thorough cleaning, I scrubbed inside the rubber seals around the dishwasher door which trapped mildew in the creases.
Preventing Mildew from the Dishwasher
In running our dishwasher almost every day, I did not realize that frequent use keeps mildew away. Simple wipe downs and scraping food from the dishes prior to loading the dishwasher keep the appliance parts clean and clear to operate efficiently.
For more tips, visit this How to Clean and Maintain a Dishwasher post which explains how to take the dishwasher apart for a thorough cleaning.
 As you load and unload your dishwasher, check and rid mildew before it builds up. Keeping your appliance clean and clear of debris prevents overworking your dishwasher. Yes, it takes time, but in using time wisely, your efforts can lengthen the longevity of your household appliances which saves you money, energy, and time. Happy cleaning!
Question: How often do you run your dishwasher?
The simplest approach is: if you can see or smell mold then you have a problem. Once you know the problem exists, and then you will already know what to do next. Unless the source of moisture is removed and the contaminated area is cleaned and disinfected, mold growth is likely to recur.
Find out more at Mold Detection
I’m not sure I follow you, Joseph. I had mildew around my dishwasher seals. Once I cleaned and disinfected those, the mildew has not returned. Sometime the mildew is just from constant use. In the almost 9 years I’ve lived in my home, this is the first time I have cleaned and disinfected mildew from my dishwasher. I’m not sure I agree that just because you can see it means you have a problem needing professional services, but I appreciate the comment.