Dirty nasty dishwasher. How to clean it? Vent!

[Anonymous]

We moved into our apt expecting that the previous tenants had cleaned up the place before moving out and were disappointed to find that they left some pretty nasty surprises for us. The inside of the dishwasher (and the outside) are just nasty. Also the washer in the laundry room. I really don't understand this. How can two machines that are used to wash and clean your clothes and dishes be so dirty? Its just so gross.

They also left the kitchen cabinets and drawers, microwave and oven dirty and sticky, but I spent a day degreasing and wiping it all down before unpacking and putting away my stuff. I think these people just never cleaned that much while they lived here. They probably didn't think to clean when they moved because they were used to living in filth. The rest of the house was fine because the landlord had it painted, so the floors, walls and carpets were cleaned.

I have always cleaned out the dishwasher from time to time by running it without dishes and then giving it a wipe down on the inside and it always looks clean. The way how these people left the dishwasher makes me feel like I never want to even open it to begin the cleaning process. I've been hand washing all the dishes which is fine, but once school starts again, this is going to become a huge pain in the butt. Not to mention if we plan to cook a big meal and use lots of dishes at once or have people over for dinner. Any tips on how to deal with this disgusting mess of a dishwasher?

The washing machine is also dirty, but not as bad, so I've been using it to wash clothes. It is an older machine, probably about 10 years old, so it is a top loading machine. The agitator has a line where above the line looks dirty and below the line looks clean. I want the whole thing to look like the clean part. Also, the area where you can add bleach looks dirty. I've always used a similar strategy to keeping my dishwasher clean and run the machine empty from time to time and wipe the inside down, but I also just kept it clean by never letting it get dirty like that. Any tips on getting this machine to look cleaner?

[Anonymous]

Does the dishwasher have a filter? It might need to be emptied. There are YouTube videos about how to unclog a dishwasher that's not cleaning properly.

[Anonymous]

Every two weeks I run my dishwasher empty except a cup of vinegar-- recommended by a great dishwasher repair person

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does the dishwasher have a filter? It might need to be emptied. There are YouTube videos about how to unclog a dishwasher that's not cleaning properly.

Not sure, would it be in an obvious place? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Follow these instructions to clean the dishwasher. I tried this and it worked like a charm. http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/06/how-to-clean-your-dishwasher-best-of-jillee.html

For the washing machine you can try the commercially available washing machine cleaners. Tide makes one. There's another one called Affresh.

Jillee also has tips for cleaning the washing machine. http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/?s=washing+machine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every two weeks I run my dishwasher empty except a cup of vinegar-- recommended by a great dishwasher repair person

Great idea, thanks. I will try running it a few times with vinegar and see if it improves anything.

[Anonymous]

You can buy dishwasher and washing machine cleaner on Amazon

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tips everyone! Keep them coming, I might have to try a lot of things before I can finish this job...

[Anonymous]

I like running an empty load with oxy-clean (I love that stuff for whitening things).

[Anonymous]

I would speak with your landlord or leasing agent. They are the ones responsible having your apartment cleaned and ready for the next tenant. I would ask for a credit or a cleaning service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every two weeks I run my dishwasher empty except a cup of vinegar-- recommended by a great dishwasher repair person

Same here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would speak with your landlord or leasing agent. They are the ones responsible having your apartment cleaned and ready for the next tenant. I would ask for a credit or a cleaning service.

+1 or insist that they just get you appliances. We've had a new stove and dishwasher installed in our current apartment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every two weeks I run my dishwasher empty except a cup of vinegar-- recommended by a great dishwasher repair person

Where do you put the vinegar? Just pour it into the bottom and wash?

[Anonymous]

Apartment Therapy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would speak with your landlord or leasing agent. They are the ones responsible having your apartment cleaned and ready for the next tenant. I would ask for a credit or a cleaning service.

Hell yes to this. It should have all been clean before you were even handed the keys.