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Can You Use Vinegar in the Dishwasher with Dishes?

Dishwasher is one of the most useful appliances of our daily life. Dishwasher is not difficult to use and makes dishwashing fun.

However, you cannot put all kinds of liquids into the dishwasher. Today, we are going to discuss about vinegar and find out whether one can use vinegar in the dishwasher with dishes or not.

Using vinegar in the dishwasher with dishes

It is believed by experts that vinegar can be used in the dishwasher with dishes. The reason behind this is the vinegar’s ability to get rid of hard water stains from the dishes. White vinegar is the best variety of vinegar when it comes to putting it in the dishwasher.

Let’s look at some varieties of vinegar and see if they can be used in the dishwasher with dishes.

White vinegar:

The main component of white vinegar is grain alcohol. The fermentation process is used to create white vinegar from the scratch.

Another important thing to remember here is that white vinegar contains a high amount of water and a low amount of acetic acid.

There are many different uses and functions of white vinegar. White vinegar is used as a flavor in culinary. Additionally, white vinegar possesses multiple health benefits when it is used correctly.

But the most impressive thing about white vinegar is its ability to act as a potent cleaning agent.

It is believed by experts that you can use white vinegar in the dishwasher with dishes.

This different use of white vinegar is capable of getting rid of stubborn stains from your dishes. Dishes washed using the dishwasher are often left with stains of hard water.

That is why experts suggest you to put a bowl of white vinegar on the top compartment of the dishwasher. You will additionally need to use a dishwasher safe bowl to put white vinegar into the dishwasher.

The result of using white vinegar in the dishwasher with dishes will end up surprising you. The dishes will have a new look about them due to the removal of hard water stains.

Apple cider vinegar:

Just like white vinegar, the main component of apple cider vinegar is alcohol. Apple cider vinegar is also produced through the process of fermentation. Apple cider vinegar is famous for possessing quite a lot of health benefits.

Additionally, apple cider vinegar can sometimes work as a cleaning agent. But it is not as effective as other varieties of vinegar such as white vinegar.

So it is not a popular idea to use apple cider vinegar in the dishwasher with dishes. Apple cider vinegar does not hold any benefit as a rinse aid in the dishwasher with dishes.

The purpose of using vinegar in the dishwasher with dishes is to get rid of hard water stains from the dishes.

But as apple cider vinegar fails to do so, there is no benefit of putting apple cider vinegar into the dishwasher with dishes. Moreover, apple cider vinegar can end up leaving more marks on the dishes due to its color.

Distilled vinegar:

Distilled vinegar is quite different from other varieties of vinegar. Because it can be made from other vinegars through the fermentation process.

But despite being different in structure from other varieties of vinegar, distilled vinegar also possesses a lot of culinary and health benefits. Additionally, distilled vinegar is great as a cleaning agent too.

However, it is not wise to put distilled vinegar into the dishwasher with dishes. There is no scientific study that backs the usage of distilled vinegar in the dishwasher with dishes.

That is why experts prohibit the use of distilled vinegar to clean the dishes inside the dishwasher.

The stubborn hard water stains on the dishes can not be cleaned away using distilled vinegar. Moreover, distilled vinegar can make the hard water marks worse due to its inability to get rid of them.

You should not put anything in the dishwasher with dishes that can harm the state of dishes.

Where do you put vinegar in the dishwasher with dishes?

A dishwasher is made of many different parts. These parts include a detergent dispenser, a heating element, a control pad, a silverware basket, a door latch, a filtration system, spray arms, racks, a water inlet valve, a circulation motor etc.

You cannot randomly put vinegar into any of these parts with or without dishes.

First of all, you will need to take the help of a dishwasher bowl to put the vinegar in the dishwasher with dishes. It means the bowl you are using should not do any harm to the dishwasher or the dishes and should be durable during the process.

The dishwasher safe bowl containing vinegar will have to be placed in one of the racks of the dishwasher and that rack needs to be the top rack.

How often should you clean your dishwasher with vinegar?

Like any other electrical appliances, the dishwasher can also become clogged with build up of dirt, grease and germ.

That is why it is important to clean your dishwasher at least once month. Vinegar can be a good choice when it comes to cleaning the dishwasher. The acetic component of vinegar can make your dishwasher neat and clean.

However, you will need to follow the correct procedures to do so. The vinegar will have to be put into the dishwasher using a dishwasher safe bowl. And only the top rack of the dishwasher should be accessed during this procedure.

How to clean your dishwasher with vinegar?

Cleaning the dishwasher with vinegar might seem like a difficult task if you have no prior experience regarding the matter. However, there are some steps and methods you can follow to accomplish the task. Let’s discuss in detail about some of those steps.

Break down the dishwasher:

The dishwasher is made of many different parts. You will need disassemble all these parts to have a satisfactory cleaning process. These parts include the racks, the various compartments, and the filters among other things.

Every one of these will have to be taken out of the dishwasher and put into a solution of white vinegar and hot water.

Clean the inside parts:

In the next step, you will need to clean the inside parts of the dishwasher. This is quite an important step as it will get rid of excessive dirt and debris from the dishwasher.

It is important to remember that ignoring dirt, grease, and debris can be problematic in the long run for your dishwasher.

You can spray the solution of white vinegar and water inside the dishwasher and wipe the parts with a damp cloth. If there is anymore dirt, grease or debris left, you will need to apply a brush to get rid of it.

Put in the bowl of vinegar:

The most crucial step of the cleaning process will begin now. You will have to pour approximately one cup of white vinegar into a dishwasher safe bowl.

Then, the dishwasher safe bowl will need to be put into the lower part of the dishwasher. The top rack can be another way to put the vinegar into the dishwasher.

At this moment, you will need to turn on the dishwasher and use the hot water cycle to clean it using vinegar. The vinegar will get rid of stubborn dirt, grease, and debris from the inside of dishwasher.

What other things can I put in the dishwasher to clean dishes?

Let’s discuss in detail about what other things besides vinegar one can put in the dishwasher to clean dishes.

Use Dishwasher detergent:

It is a no brainer that dishwasher detergent is one of the products you can use in the dishwasher to clean dishes.

Dishwasher detergent is good at removing stubborn food and water stains from the dishes. It is also very easy to use dishwasher detergent in the dishwasher.

Use liquid dishwashing soap:

There are also many liquid dishwashing soaps available in the market that can be used in the dishwasher to clean the dishes. You will need to put liquid soap into the soap compartment of your dishwasher.

Use baking soda:

Baking soda is another cleaning agent that is great at cleaning dishes in the dishwasher.

Some of the stains on the dishes can be difficult to get rid of. However, pouring baking soda into the top rack of the dishwasher using a dishwasher safe bowl can clean the dishes effectively.

Use washing soda:

Washing soda can also be used to clean the dishes in the dishwasher. In fact, it is very easy to use washing soda in the dishwasher with the help of regular wash cycle. Washing soda gets rid of stains from dishes easily.

Final Thoughts

Vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent in terms of cleaning dishes inside the dishwasher. Vinegar has to be put into the dishwasher using a dishwasher safe bowl. Only the top rack of the dishwasher should be accessed to put vinegar into the dishwasher.