How to Decalcify a Dishwasher

White Vinegar

• 1

  Saturate a sponge with undiluted white vinegar. Wipe the interior of the dishwasher with the sponge. You can also fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spray a heavy coating of vinegar inside the dishwasher. Allow the vinegar to soak into the calcium buildup for 10 to 15 minutes.

• 2

  Fill a measuring cup with 4 cups white vinegar.

• 3

  Place the measuring cup upright on the bottom rack with no other dishes or utensils in the dishwasher.

• 4

  Turn the dishwasher on and run through a complete cycle. If calcium deposits remain, repeat the process.

Citric Acid

• 5

  Empty the dishwasher of dishes, pots, pans and utensils.

• 6

  Fill the dishwasher's soap dispenser with citric acid crystals. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of citric acid on the bottom of the dishwasher.

• 7

  Run the dishwasher through a full cycle. If calcium deposits are still present, repeat this method.

Decalcifying Agent

• 8

  Add a commercially available decalcifying agent to your dishwasher. Decalcifiers are available in the form of rinse aids, sprays, crystals and plastic bottles with a cap that releases the cleaning agent as the cycle runs.

• 9

  Place the decalcifying agent in the dishwasher according to the manufacturer's instructions. Decalcifying agents hang on the upper rack or are sprayed or sprinkled inside the dishwasher, or they rest in the utensil holder.

• 10

  Turn the dishwasher on and allow it to run through a cycle. In the case of rinse aids, leave the basket inside the dishwasher for subsequent washes or refill the rinse aid dispenser as necessary for each washing. Add decalcifying sprays, bottles and crystals as part of a general maintenance schedule.