Neglecting your dishwasher? Here's the bare-minimum cleaning advice

Dishwashers are among the hardest-working appliances in busy households, so you want to make sure they go the distance.Experts say to do that, you need to stay on top of smaller maintenance to get better results and save yourself from bigger, more expensive problems down the track.Here are the regular jobs they recommend to keep your dishwasher running smoothly.Cleaning the filter and sealsThis is a weekly job, according to Jack Roney, an appliance service technician based on the Sunshine Coast on Kabi Kabi lands.The dishwasher filter catches leftover food particles and debris during the wash cycle, which can build up quickly."If you're not regularly cleaning it out, you'll notice that your dishes won't clean properly," Mr Roney says."Particularly your glassware. They'll look murky, and you'll probably still have chunks of sludge and slime on it."He says you can clean the filters by removing them and rinsing with hot water and some dishwashing liquid to get rid of grease.Regular cleaning can stop obstructions that could prevent the door from sealing properly. (Supplied: Minakshi Gajera)But equally important is making sure the filter goes back in correctly."When you put it back in you have to twist clockwise to lock it in place," he says."If you don't, the filter will lift and it will block all your spray arms and then your dishwasher won't work properly."Consumer group Choice recommends giving door seals a wipe down with a soft damp cloth every week.This helps keep mould and foul odours at bay while clearing away any obstructions that could prevent the door from sealing properly.Use a de-scaler to remove built-up greaseHome cleaning enthusiast and content creator Minakshi Gajera sets a reminder at the start of each month to give her dishwasher a good clean, inside and out.The busy mother of two from Dharug lands in Schofields, New South Wales, says she likes to use bicarb soda and vinegar."I sprinkle a generous amount of bicarb soda inside and add half cup of white vinegar and just run a hot cycle," she says."For the seals and the outside area, I use warm soapy water with a microfibre cloth."Choice says there are various cleaning agents suitable for use inside your dishwasher, including vinegar, bicarb soda, bleach, citric acid or a variety of purpose-made commercial cleaners you can purchase from the supermarket."Not to be confused with separate rinse aid products, which minimise post-wash water spots and streaks," says Chris Barnes, Choice's senior project officer."Dishwasher cleaners claim to deep clean and deodorise, unblock hidden grime and even prolong the life of your machine."Choice's recommended method:Pour two cups of vinegar into a bowl and place it in a rack in your empty dishwasher (using a bowl keeps the vinegar in the machine where it's needed)Run the machine, pausing the cycle in the middle for half an hour or so to give it an extra good soakingIf the dishwasher has odours, throw in a generous handful of baking soda and run it againChoice also recommends wearing gloves and making sure your kitchen is well ventilated if you are using harsh chemicals.Check the spray armsChoice says that over time, grime can become lodged inside the spray arm jets, making them less effective.Giving them a clean once a year can improve your dishwasher's functioning.Here's how to do it:Remove the spray armsPoke a toothpick or other soft, pointy object into the water exit holes to clear any obstructionsReinstall the spray armsRun the dishwasher on its hottest cycle while emptyScrape food off dishesChoice recommends scraping off any solid food, rather than rinsing, before stacking your dishes and the dishwasher will clean off the rest.This should be a daily task, or however often you use the dishwasher.Mr Roney says it doesn't take much for dishwashers to become blocked."Literally, a lemon pip lodged in the right position can block up your dishwasher and stop it from draining," he says."The water [can also] push whatever's hanging off that filter back onto your dishes so they won't clean properly."Keep pests at bayMr Roney says another common problem he sees, particularly in Queensland, is cockroaches in appliances.The pests like nesting inside the warm, dark and moist internal components, where they can also chew on rubber water seals and infest electronic control boards."They get in there and destroy all the parts, so maybe try to throw a few baits out or keep on top of your pest control," Mr Roney says."Try to prevent them from getting into your dishwasher."Signs you may have cockroaches in your dishwasher include finding small cockroaches on the kitchen bench, sink or cupboards, musty or unusual smell from the dishwasher and droppings inside or around the unit.