We know that cleaning your dishwasher and kitchen sink is not a fun task, but it’s important to regularly maintain your kitchen to keep it germ-free. Plus, a clean sink helps you avoid serious complications like clogged drains and pipes.
So since spring is well-underway, what better time than now to check on your kitchen sink and dishwasher as part of your spring cleaning routine? Here are some easy ways you can do it.
1. Keeping your kitchen sink clean
Grease can come from food cooking and preparation and soap residues. A build-up of grease can result in sink blockage and clogging, which will cause a smelly odour in your kitchen. Luckily, it’s quite easy to solve this problem yourself with some DIY hacks.
Tip 1: Don’t wash oil and grease down the sink
Prevention is the goal here, so you should stop grease from building up in your kitchen sink in the first place. Do not pour liquid grease, fats, and oil down the skin, as it can solidify and clog the drain, causing excess oil and water to overflow.
Before washing your oil-filled pots and pans, give them a good wipe with a paper towel and dispose the towel in a bin. That way, you eliminate most oil before it clogs the sink or dishwasher.
Tip 2: Use hot water
If you’re noticing your kitchen sink is slow in draining, then the age-old hot water method should do the trick! Simply boil your kettle and pour boiling water down the drain to soften any grease or fat build-up in your pipes. Alternatively, you can run hot water over the sink for a couple of minutes to break down the oil.
Tip 3: Use a strainer
While we may be tempted to dispose of our food down the sink while cleaning, it’s a harmful habit that will damage our pipes and result in unnecessary emergency plumbing. So another preventative method of keeping your kitchen sink clear is to invest in a strainer over your sink. This cost-effective method traps food and prevents them from clogging under the sink.
2. Keeping your dishwasher clean
Most people don’t clean their dishwashers because they assume it gets cleaned along with the dishes. But dishwashers need regular cleaning and maintenance to remove food build-up and debris. So just like your sink, it’s essential that you take care of them this spring.
Tip 1: Run hot water
The spring weather can be chilly during the early hours of the morning and in the evening. This causes the pipes to get cold and release cold water when you run a dishwasher cycle.
A good tip is to run your sink water for 1-2 minutes until it is very hot before you use your dishwasher. This ensures your first dishwasher cycle will be with hot instead of cold water, giving the dishwasher a better cleaning performance.
Tip 2: Clean regularly
To maintain your dishwasher and avoid any blockages, we recommend cleaning the inside of your dishwasher if you haven’t done so in more than a month. Fortunately, there’s an easy DIY fix for this too!
To clean your dishwasher, pour a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of your empty dishwasher and run it on a regular cycle. Alternatively, you can also purchase any dishwasher cleaner from your local supermarket and follow the instructions on the packaging. Both options will remove odours and leave your kitchen smelling fresh – just in time for spring!
Tip 3: Inspect for food particles
Don’t forget to inspect the seals around your dishwasher’s gasket and its soap dispenser. These parts are notorious for collecting food particles and other unwanted residues, and a food build-up here will cause smelly odours, water leaks, and even mould. To clean these seals, use a hot soapy rag, dishcloth, or toothbrush and wipe away any food residue. You can also add 3 cups of water to half a cup of vinegar and leave it on the seal for a few minutes to remove stubborn debris.
Ask an expert for help
Cleaning your kitchen sink and dishwasher this spring may seem simple, but don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it! If a little DIY drain cleaning doesn’t do the trick, our expert plumbers are more than happy to maintain and unclog your sink or dishwasher.
From drain cleaning to fixing your hot water systems, we are available for any regular or emergency plumbing needs in Adelaide. To speak to our friendly team, call Seaview Plumbing at 1 300 634 308. Alternatively, you can send us an email or message us on Facebook.