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Affresh® dishwasher cleaner instructions
Over time, soap scum, undissolved detergent, food debris and grease can build up in your dishwasher. Cleaning your dishwasher is an important part of appliance maintenance and can keep it smelling clean and fresh and prepared to tackle your next load.
Using affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner1 once a month can help keep your dishwasher consistently clean. Read on to learn more about how to clean your dishwasher using affresh®.
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What is affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner?
Affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner is a tablet that cleans parts of your dishwasher, including the areas you can’t see, such as your machine’s tub, racks, pump and valve, drain and recirculation hoses. The tablets clean your dishwasher while your detergent cleans your dishes, but affresh® also helps to descale glassware and dishes to leave them sparkling.
How to use affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner
Affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner is easy to use and can help keep your dishwasher in good working condition.2 Simply add your dishwasher cleaning tablet either in the bottom of the dishwasher or in the dispenser, depending on whether you’re using it with or without dishes, then run the wash cycle.
Follow the steps below to learn more about how to use affresh® and be sure to refer to your owner’s manual for specific cleaning instructions, as well.
1: Prep the dishwasher
For this step, you can either load the dishwasher as usual or run it empty for cleaning. Both will work. Keep in mind that affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner can also help descale dishes and glassware, so loading the dishwasher might be beneficial.
If you notice standing water in your dishwasher after running a cycle, that’s a sign of heavy debris and residue clogging the drain. In this case, remove the bottom rack and clear out any debris around the filter and drain, then use two affresh® tablets, one in the detergent dispenser and one on the bottom of the machine. For heavily soiled machines, it is recommended that you run the Normal cycle without any dishes in the appliance.
2: Add affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner
Whether you place your cleaning tablet in the detergent dispenser or at the bottom of your appliance depends on whether or not you plan to wash a load of dishes in tandem.
With dishes: Place an affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner tablet at the bottom of your dishwasher.3 Fill your detergent dispenser, as usual.
Without dishes: Put the affresh® tablet in the detergent dispenser. You can also put one in the dispenser and one at the bottom if your dishwasher has a lot of buildup.
3: Run a Normal wash cycle
Once you’ve prepped your dishwasher and placed the affresh® tablets where you want them, run your dishwasher on a Normal cycle.
4: Leave the door ajar
When the cycle has finished, leave the door of your dishwasher slightly ajar to allow it to dry fully and to allow air to circulate through it, which may help reduce the chances of odors developing.
Affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner deep cleans even where you can’t see, preventing odor-causing bacteria from transferring onto your dishes. This innovative formula breaks down bacteria and grime hiding in spray arms, the pump, tub and internal hoses—restoring your dishwasher to optimal performance.
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Dishwasher cleaning tips
Keeping your dishwasher clean can help ensure that every time you wash a load, it comes out clean and fresh. Explore the tips and best practices below to learn more about how to clean your dishwasher.
If you have a garbage disposal, run it before you run your dishwasher, as both appliances use the same drain. This will help make sure the drain is clear before running your dishwasher.
Don’t overfill your dishwasher. The water from the spray arms needs to be able to reach the surfaces of your dishes and inside your glasses.
Try to get into the habit of checking your dishwasher filter after you empty a clean load of dishes. Giving the filter a weekly rinse and deep cleaning with affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner monthly or after about 30 wash cycles can help maintain your appliance.
Dishwashers with 3rd Rack
Load more and run less with the 3rd Rack*
*Compared to Whirlpool® Dishwashers without a 3rd level rack.
Dishwasher cleaning FAQs
If you still have questions about cleaning your dishwasher, explore the answers to frequently asked questions below to help keep your appliance running smoothly.
Your dishwasher should be cleaned about once every 30 days, depending on how often you use it and the load size. Aside from using dishwasher cleaners such as affresh®, you should also clean your dishwasher’s filter regularly.
You do not need to use a dishwasher cleaner to clean your appliance. Other household formulas may also work. For instance, you can clean your dishwasher using vinegar and baking soda. Be sure to use distilled white vinegar rather than other choices to help prevent staining. Always refer to your owner’s manual for specific cleaning instructions as they can vary by model.
Affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner can help remove detergent buildup from the dishwasher. If you feel as though your dishwasher has a lot of buildup, consider using two affresh® tablets, one in the detergent dispenser and one in the bottom of the dishwasher, and run the dishwasher empty.
To help prevent buildup from forming, remember to clean your dishwasher about once every 30 days.
Affresh® tablets are designed to work with hot water, as the higher temperatures help dissolve and distribute the tablet through the machine during the wash cycle. Water typically enters the dishwasher at approximately 120ºF.
No, affresh® Washing Machine Cleaner is specifically formulated to clean a washing machine, while affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner is formulated for use in a dishwasher. You should only ever use cleaning products specifically made for the type of appliance you intend to clean, or approved cleaning solutions as described in your owner’s manual.
If dishwasher odors remain after running a cycle using affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner, you may be experiencing a different problem. A damaged or kinked dishwasher drain hose or clogged dishwasher drain are just two of the possibilities that might be the source of the odor. These types of issues may require the attention of a licensed technician to resolve.
If you still notice a film after cleaning your dishwasher, you may want to try a vinegar rinse: place 2 cups of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe cup on the bottom rack and run a complete cycle using air-dry or energy-saving dry.
Yes, if you do not keep up with regular cleaning and maintenance of your appliance, odors may return after cleaning. To help prevent dishwasher odors from returning, regularly clean the filter, wipe down the sides and gasket seals and use affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner every 30 days.
Affresh® has a variety of other products available to help you keep your appliances clean and in good condition. From washing machine cleaner to coffee maker cleaner, affresh® has a comprehensive line of products you can count on for your appliance cleaning tasks.
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1. affresh® brand products and the recommending brands’ products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
2. Heavily soiled machines may require extra cleaning cycles.
3. Check manufacturer's suggested cleaning instructions on all dishwasher-safe items.
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