{"id":1254,"date":"2024-02-13T13:46:41","date_gmt":"2024-02-13T13:46:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cleanhousefast.co.uk\/?p=1254"},"modified":"2024-02-13T13:46:41","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T13:46:41","slug":"can-you-put-drain-cleaner-in-a-dishwasher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cleanhousefast.co.uk\/can-you-put-drain-cleaner-in-a-dishwasher\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Put Drain Cleaner In A Dishwasher?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dishwashers are a very effective<\/a> cleaner of dishes – but they themselves can get a little grubby from time to time!<\/p>\n

Can you put drain cleaner in a dishwasher to clear blockages and give it a deep clean? Let\u2019s see if this is actually a good idea\u2026<\/p>\n

Can You Put Drain Cleaner In A Dishwasher?<\/h2>\n

The short and easy answer to this is no, you really shouldn\u2019t use drain cleaner in your dishwasher.<\/p>\n

Products that are used to unblock drains typically contain some rather toxic elements, that you really don\u2019t want anywhere near anything that you might eat from.<\/p>\n

Drain cleaners contain some very harsh chemicals which can leave residues behind them – this could cause health issues if you get them on your dishes.<\/p>\n

Using drain cleaner in your dishwasher – even if you rinse it through afterwards – can cause more problems than it solves.<\/p>\n

Even if you have a blockage and nothing is shifting it, there are far better ideas than using drain cleaner.<\/p>\n

You can have a go at unblocking your dishwasher yourself, or, if you don\u2019t have the knowledge or inclination, you can call in a plumber. Just leave the drain cleaner in the drain!<\/p>\n

What Can I Use To Unclog My Dishwasher?<\/h2>\n

A clogged up dishwasher is not an uncommon problem, believe it or not – and no, it doesn\u2019t mean that you have done anything wrong.<\/p>\n

It is very easy for food particles and debris to get stuck in your dishwasher, and it is actually not too difficult to sort out the problem.<\/p>\n

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  1. Start by removing everything from your dishwasher (you will need to wash these again after you have cleaned the dishwasher!)<\/li>\n
  2. Unplug the dishwasher from the power source, to avoid the danger of electrocuting yourself.<\/li>\n
  3. Remove any standing water in the dishwasher, using a cup at first, then paper towels to soak up as much as you can.<\/li>\n
  4. Pour equal parts of baking soda and white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher, let it sit for 15 minutes, then run a rinse cycle on the hottest setting.<\/li>\n
  5. Check the filter for blockages and give it a good clean out – this is generally where blockages come to rest.<\/li>\n
  6. Check the sink air gap (a small slotted cylinder found near the outlet hose under the sink) and clean it out using a stiff brush.<\/li>\n
  7. Check the drain hose for kinks and clogs – you may have to pull your dishwasher away from the wall to do this).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Once you have done all these things – you may not have to do them all – you should find that your dishwasher is working perfectly again!<\/p>\n

    This<\/a> is a great article, showing you all sorts of different ways to unclog your dishwasher.<\/p>\n

    How Do I Know If My Dishwasher Pipe Is Blocked?<\/h2>\n

    If your dishwasher pipes are blocked, unfortunately you will know about it pretty soon – it\u2019s not very pleasant.<\/p>\n

    You might notice<\/a> an bad smell<\/strong> caused by the blockage – if food particles are not being drained away, they can start to rot.<\/p>\n

    A gurgling sound<\/strong> is another clue; this is the water trying and failing to get past the blockage.<\/p>\n

    If your dishes are unclean<\/strong>, it is definitely time to check for a blockage – the machine cannot work effectively if it cannot drain.<\/p>\n

    Water backing up into the sink<\/strong> is a sure sign that you have a blockage – this can be rectified easily if you have a waste disposal unit, otherwise you might have to roll your sleeves up!<\/p>\n

    Thankfully, if you spot these signs early enough, you should be able to fix the problem easily and quickly.<\/p>\n

    Why Is My Clogged Drain Backing Up Into The Dishwasher?<\/h2>\n

    This is definitely not a scenario you want – dirty water getting into your dishwasher and your clean dishes? No thank you!<\/p>\n

    This happens when the water source for the sink and the dishwasher are the same, and that source becomes blocked up.<\/p>\n

    There are a few ways you can sort this problem yourself, if you don\u2019t want to go to the hassle and expense of calling out a plumber:<\/p>\n