Your dishwasher, like any other kitchen equipment, should be cleaned and serviced on a regular basis. Sure, it sounds like a demanding task, but keeping your Kenmore dishwasher clean is actually quite simple, and it will extend the life of the appliance. But how do you keep it clean? Kenmore has advised us on the appropriate course of action.
Cleaning a Kenmore dishwasher can be done in 3 steps: remove food remnants from the filter, clean with vinegar, and apply baking soda. Doing these steps in order won’t just make your dishwasher look and smell nice, but it will also increase its longevity.
So, how do you begin the cleaning process? How can you locate the filter? When should you clean your Kenmore dishwasher? I’ll answer these questions in the following sections.
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How to Clean a Kenmore Dishwasher?
Dishwashers are in practically every home, and they can be a game-changer for families of four and more. Without regular washing, it won’t take long for dirty dishes to pile up in the sink, but placing them in your dishwasher is a quick and easy way to keep your kitchen clutter-free.
What many folks don’t realize is that the dishwasher needs a good washing every once in a while. If you have a Kenmore dishwasher, going about cleaning the unit isn’t too challenging, as long as you can follow these 3 simple steps.
Remove food remnants from the filter
The more frequently you run your Kenmore dishwasher to clean filthy pots and pans, the more food remnants and solid debris will accumulate at the bottom of the machine. This is completely normal as the machine is designed to wash waste off dishware, and it has nowhere to go but down. However, over time, solid debris can build up in the filter, which can prevent the dishwasher from draining properly.
So, to begin cleaning your Kenmore dishwasher, the first thing you should do is clear the filter of all debris. First, begin by removing your dishes from the dishwasher before taking out the racks. Using a sponge, paper towel, or microfiber cloth, wipe the bottom of the dishwasher and begin pulling out any solid remnants.
To clean the filter, remove it from the inside of the Kenmore and submerge it in a bowl or basin of soapy water. Take a brush and gently scrub off any solid materials in the filter. There are 2 more filters you need to clean, which can be found at the very back.
First, unscrew those filters from their fasteners and discard any food remnants caught in the meshes. Submerge them in the soapy solution before gently scrubbing them. Make sure to be extra careful with the third filter as, since its purpose is to stop solids from passing through the drain pipe, its mesh is super-fine.
Before reinstalling the filters and racks, give the interior of the Kenmore a quick wipe-down from top to bottom. Optionally, you can wipe the exterior of the dishwasher at this time.
Clean with vinegar
The next step in cleaning a Kenmore dishwasher is dissolving any solid buildup and layers of grease that might have latched onto the interior lining and pipes. To do this, make sure the racks are void of any dishes before filling a mug, cup, or shallow dish with white vinegar and placing it on the top-most rack of the dishwasher. Set your Kenmore to run a single wash cycle.
When the cycle has completed, the dishwasher’s jets should’ve forced sprayed the vinegar, causing it to coat the interior of the dishwasher, as well as flow through the drain pipes. Since white vinegar is harsh against calcified buildup and grease yet non-threatening to the metal interior, you can repeat this step for good measure.
Apply baking soda
After completing the vinegar stage of the cleaning process, the next and final step is to apply baking soda. The powder will cause a slight reaction on the inside of the dishwasher, which will work further to break down any calcified buildups.
To apply baking soda, take a handful of the fine white powder and sprinkle it on the inside walls, making sure that there is enough baking soda to go around. After you’re satisfied with how much baking soda you put in the unit, shut the door and run a hot cycle.
Apart from cutting through solid buildup and oily streaks, the baking soda will also remove any lingering odors from hundreds of washing cycles. Please remember that you should not combine vinegar and baking soda at this time as the chemical reaction may be too harsh for the metallic lining to handle.
Where Are the Filters in My Kenmore Dishwasher?
There are 3 filters in a Kenmore dishwasher. The location of the filters will vary from model to model. If you don’t have the paperwork for your Kenmore, you can look for and download a digital manual here.
For the majority of Kenmores, you can locate the first dishwasher by finding the spray arm. The second and third filters can be found at the back of the unit. Remove the racks and storage compartments, as well as any dishes, from the dishwasher before attempting to unscrew the remaining filters.
When Should I Clean My Kenmore Dishwasher?
The exact time range for when you should clean your Kenmore dishwasher will depend on how frequently you run it. It’s recommended that you clean the interior of the machine once every 3 to 6 months. So, if you stick to a 5-cycle week schedule, you should clean the interior at least every 3 months.
That said, the more frequently you clean the dishwasher, the better. The main purpose of cleaning the inside of the appliance is the ensure that the filters do not become clogged. When they do, water may not drain down the dishwasher properly, leading to standing water that you need to pump manually. In addition, your dishwasher might begin emitting foul odors due to the buildup of old food lurking in the filter or pipes.
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