Unfuck Your Habitat

I have about half a dozen asks about dishwashers right now, so I’ll try to get to everything in a master post.

• To clean the inside surface of a dishwasher, use a mild dish soap solution with hot water (not too much soap; you don’t want bubbles later on), and use a sponge and an old toothbrush to get in all the corners, and the sides and bottom of the interior. Use your toothbrush or a toothpick to clear out the drain holes and water sprayers. Wipe down your surfaces with plain water when you’re done.
• Clear out the drain. Ew.
• Using your soapy water, wipe down any rubber gaskets and seals.
• If you’re having residue issues, switch your detergent type. Most people find that switching to powder works best, but I’ve also had reports that liquid and pellets/packs solved this problem for them. Whatever you’re using, try something else.
• If you have a garbage disposal, run it before you run your dishwasher.
• Put a bowl (face up) containing about a cup of vinegar on the top rack with nothing else in the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher on the hottest cycle.