Avoid using two household staples to clean your dishwasher (Image: Getty)
Cleaning and appliances experts have warned Brits against using two popular household items to rinse their dishwashers.
The likes of apple cider vinegar and have been tipped as simple and effective methods for various household items and stains.
However, they shouldn’t be used to clean everything.
The experts at consumer site recently shared some top tips on dishwasher cleaning and maintenance.
Among all of the dishwasher jobs you should do weekly, monthly and yearly, including running the appliance on the top cycle twice a year to kill bacteria.
Apple cider vinegar is a no-go for cleaning dishwashers (Image: Getty)
They recommended using a proper dishwasher cleaner, but warned against using apple cider vinegar and lemon for cleaning.
They said in an Instagram post: “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.”
You should also avoid using soda crystals to clean your dishwasher.
Appliance experts at also confirmed that you shouldn’t clean your dishwasher this way.
They noted that although they’re “great” for cleaning other appliances around the house, soda crystals can actually cause damage to a dishwasher.
They explained that using soda crystals instead of dishwasher salt can stop your dishwasher from functioning properly by creating limescale deposits that block pipes.
explained soda crystals will soften the machine’s water, making the two actually react to create calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, which in turn can block pipes.
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However, when it comes to apple cider vinegar, the decision seemed split.
Currys explained that if you don’t have any white vinegar to hand, apple cider vinegar is a good alternative.
To complete this, you’ll need to add some ACV to a dishwasher-sage jug or cup, place it on the top rack of the dishwasher and run a full cycle.
On the other hand, apple cider vinegar could damage the appliance by breaking down rubber seals and gaskets, as well as discolouring the metal.
wrote: “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 discolor metal pans, flatware and mixing bowls.”
They warn, if you still want to use vinegar, avoid putting it in the rinse aid dispenser.
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.