5 Easy Ways to Clean Your Dishwasher

January 23, 2019 By Ann Leave a Comment

Your dishwasher works so hard every day! Not only does it make cleaning up after dinner a breeze, but it also helps keep your family’s dishes and silverware clean and disinfected. Cleaning an appliance whose job it is to clean your dishes may seem counterintuitive but cleaning your dishwasher on occasion is definitely necessary. Over time, your dishwasher can become filled with bits of food, grease, and soap scum. All of this dirt and grime can get stuck in the various nooks and crannies of your dishwasher, which can not only make it smell bad, but it can also make it run less efficiently.

5 Easy Ways to Clean Your Dishwasher

Luckily, there are a variety of simple ways to clean your dishwasher. Whether you are searching for an easy, natural option or a lesson on deep cleaning this essential appliance, I have you covered. These five easy ways to clean your dishwasher will have your beloved kitchen appliance sparkling fresh in no time.

Note: read your dishwasher manual before you do any of the listed ideas below. I have recommended some cleaning supplies that shouldn’t harm your dishwasher, but read the manual to make certain they are not on the no-no list. You never know what may clog your dishwasher, interfere with the traps, or harm the dishwasher finish. So, before you begin, read the manual as it is better to be safe than sorry!

Before we begin I want to point out that there may be catch-screens in your dishwasher. While reading the manual, check to see where they are, and if they are removable. For instance, on my Miele machine, I have several traps and strainers, and one that should be removed and rinsed off weekly. It catches all the stray food particles. It will form a build-up of detergent too. I make sure I remove that particular screen and clean it with a scrub brush, and soap and water weekly so it will not smell or accumulate food. A deeper clean is done monthly.

When cleaning the sides of your dishwasher door, you may want to lay down a towel or paper towels on your floor to catch drips and falling debris.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

One of the easiest ways to clean your dishwasher is to use baking soda and vinegar. In addition to being one of the most natural ways to keep your dishwasher clean, it is also the most cost-effective – both baking soda and vinegar are very inexpensive ingredients. This two-step cleaning process will instantly make your dishwasher sparkle and help to naturally disinfect the appliance.

To start cleaning your dishwasher with baking soda and vinegar, scan the bottom of your dishwasher and the drain for any large chunks of food or debris that could cause damage to your dishwasher or result in a clogged drain (see screen note above). After you have removed the debris, place a dishwasher-safe cup or bowl in the top rack of your dishwasher and fill it with white vinegar. Run your dishwasher on the hottest water setting with no other dishes inside (aside from the vinegar filled cup). This vinegar cycle will help loosen any other stuck-on debris inside your dishwasher, as well as work to disinfect and deodorize the inside of the appliance (since vinegar is a natural disinfectant).

When the vinegar cycle has finished, it is time to wash your dishwasher with baking soda. To start the final step in this cleaning process, sprinkle a handful of baking soda all around the bottom of the dishwasher. Then, run another short cycle using hot water to rinse away the baking soda, along with any remaining debris that may be lying in the bottom of the dishwasher. This baking soda cycle will help remove any lingering odors and clear away food stains from inside your dishwasher.

Pine Sol

Pine-Sol is great for mopping your floors and it is also amazing for cleaning your dishwasher. While other cleaners, like vinegar or a bleach solution, for example, are perfect for disinfecting your dishwasher, they are not so great at cutting through the grease and grime that can overtake the appliance. Although it is tempting to avoid adding dishes that are greasy to your dishwasher by cleaning grimy dishes before putting them in the rack, it’s actually better for your dishwasher to incorporate some grease into each cycle. Without it, the dish soap may bubble up more than usual, causing your machine to run less efficiently.

This means that grease buildup in your dishwasher is inevitable. And one of the best ways to cut through this grime is by spraying a Pine-Sol and water solution inside your machine to easily wash away the grease. Simply spray your Pine-Sol solution on the interior walls, bottom, and door and wipe away with a damp cloth. In addition to cleaning the grime from your dishwasher, Pine Sol will also leave it smelling fresh and clean for days.

Borax

Borax is another cleaning solution that is great for scrubbing your dishwasher. Borox is a naturally occurring mineral that can quickly and inexpensively clean your dishwasher.

Start by wetting a sponge and sprinkling Borax all over it. Then use the Borax-covered sponge to scrub the inside of the dishwasher door, bottom floor, and side walls. Be sure to work your sponge into all your dishwasher’s nooks and crannies to remove any stuck-on debris that may be hiding. Finally, rinse the Borax from the sponge and run the damp sponge along the inside of the dishwasher to rinse the cleaning solution away. Also, be sure to wipe away any debris that may have come lose as you were scrubbing.

Using Borax in your dishwasher as you run your dish cycles may also be beneficial. In addition to providing a boost to the cleaning power of your dishwashing solution, it will also help keep your dishwasher fresh and clean in between cleanings. Simply sprinkle a handful of Borax powder along the bottom floor of your dishwasher each time you run a load of dishes to freshen your dishwasher and make your dishes sparkle.

Kool-Aid

We all loved this sugary drink as a kid, but did you know you can use Kool-Aid to clean your dishwasher? The trick is to choose the unsweetened lemonade version of this drink powder, which contains citric acid. The acid will help lift away unsightly stains inside your dishwasher and make the appliance smell lemon fresh when it’s finished doing its job.

Start by emptying the dishwasher of all the dishes (you can keep the racks and utensil tray inside) to ensure the lemonade spreads throughout the entire machine. Then, fill the detergent slot with a single packet of lemonade Kool-Aid, close the lid, and run your dishwasher on the hottest setting possible. When the cycle is finished, your dishwasher should be clean of stains and smelling fresh. If you still notice some stubborn rust stains or mineral deposits along the inside walls of your dishwasher, remove the racks and wipe the stains with a wet sponge or washcloth. The stains will easily wipe away, leaving a fresh and clean dishwasher to enjoy.

Deep Clean

If all of these dishwasher cleaning ideas haven’t gotten your dishwasher as clean as you would like it to be, it may be time to do a deep cleaning of your appliance.

To start, completely empty your dishwasher of all the racks, trays, and baskets so you can easily access the bottom parts of the appliance. First, check the spinning arms to ensure each of the holes are clear of debris so water can easily spray freely from the arm. If you notice debris in any of the holes, use a toothpick or soft toothbrush to loosen the gunk and wipe the arm clean with a damp paper towel or sponge.

Next, it is time to check the dishwasher’s drain for food chunks and other debris that can cause clogs. The drainage area typically features a grate around it and is located under the dishwasher’s arm. Loosen any stuck-on debris with a toothbrush covered in baking soda and wipe the debris away with a wet cloth.

Then take a toothbrush and scrub along the bottom of the dishwasher door and along the sides and edges of the appliance. It is also a good idea to check your dish washer’s utensil holder and dish trays for food pieces and wash them with warm, soapy water.

Finish your deep cleaning by spraying along the interior walls and door with a bleach solution and wiping the inside of the appliance clean before replacing the basket and trays.

Do you have any ips on how to easily clean your dishwasher?

If you are interested in more cleaning tips and ideas, be certain to read these informative cleaning posts:

• 15 DIY cleaning formulas to make yourself and use in your home – Homemade cleaning formulas are some of the easiest “recipes” you will ever make! Many DIY cleaning formulas work as well, or better than, commercially made cleaning products. Here are some homemade cleaning products for the kitchen, bath – the entire home!

• How to Clean Your Front Load Washing Machine– Front load washing machines are a great way to get your clothes clean, while also saving energy and water. But one major problem many high-efficiency washer owners find is that they can quickly start to smell if not properly maintained. Luckily, there are a few simple measures you can take to avoid those nasty smells and ensure your clothes stay fresh and clean every time you wash. Learn how to clean your front load washing machine and keep it fresh and sweet smelling!

• 10 Tips For Hiring a House Cleaning Service – I have had a cleaning service for well over 10 years now, both at home in New York and in our other residences in Utah and Florida. I’ve learned a lot about the dos and don’ts of hiring a cleaning service, and what to expect once you have hired one. These are my tips on what you should know and consider before hiring someone to clean your home!

• Disclosure the links in this post may be affiliate links.

• For more Library Reading on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.

• For more Household Tips on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.

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Filed Under: Household Tips, Library Reading

Instant Pot Hearty Beef Barley Soup Recipe

January 21, 2019 By Ann Leave a Comment

Beef barley soup is the ultimate comfort food! This hearty beef barley soup recipe is loaded with beef and vegetables, so thick and delicious it will remind you of grandma’s recipe. Perfect for lunch or dinner, this instant pot beef barley soup is fantastic on a cold day.

Instant Pot Hearty Beef Barley Soup Recipe

Do you have an instant pot? Hubby likes ours. A fast pressure cooker that has versatile settings. You can cook a lot of different things in an Instant Pot, but soup is probably the easiest. This instant pot beef barley recipe has a lot of little steps, but the end results are worth the effort!

One of the things that always strikes me is the name “instant” pot. It really isn’t instant at all. It reminds me more of a multi-cooker than a slow-cooker. I will admit I do not use ours. Like most of the kitchen gadgets in our home, it is allllll Hubby. He likes it. To me, it seems a bit like work, but I can’t argue with the results – they are simply fabulous!

Beef Barley was my grandfather’s favorite soup. Hubby used to make him this beef barley soup recipe all the time. I cannot help but think he would have loved this hearty beef barley soup recipe using the instant pot.

Homemade bread or rolls goes so well with Beef Barley soup. You can make your own homemade yeast rolls or homemade white bread with these easy recipes!

Notes:

• Read the directions on your instant pot.

• For the cubed beef you can use round or chuck roast or stew meat.

• If you want a thinner soup, use one cup of barley and go up from there for a thicker soup. My family likes it more like a stew, so we use 3 cups.

• This beef barley recipe is low on liquid which also makes this very thick, very hearty. If you would like a thinner soup, you can try upping the liquid to 6 cups.

• You can freeze leftover beef barley soup for later! Just remember to label the containers with date and recipe name so you do not have a freezer full of UFOs (unidentified food objects).

Instant Pot Hearty Beef Barley Soup Ingredients:

• 2 lbs Cubed Beef Stew Meat
• 1 TBSP Olive Oil
• 1 TBSP Butter
• 2 TBSP Chopped Garlic
• 1 small Onion, chopped
• 1½ cups Celery, chopped
• 1½ cups Carrots, chopped
• 2 cups sliced Mushrooms
• 4 cups Beef Broth
• 3 cups Instant Barley
• 1 TBSP Dried Thyme
• 3 Bay Leaves
• Salt, to taste
• Ground Black Pepper, to taste

Instant Pot Hearty Beef Barley Soup Mise en Place:

• Instant Pot
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Measuring Cup
• Measuring Spoons
• Spatula or Spoon

Instant Pot Hearty Beef Barley Soup Directions:

• Set Instant Pot to sauté/browning feature.
• Add oil and butter and allow to sizzle.

• Add garlic and onion and cook 1-2 minutes or until onions are translucent, stirring occasionally.

• Add beef and brown, stirring occasionally.

• Remove beef from pot and set aside.

• Add celery, carrots and mushrooms to Instant Pot.

• Add beef broth.

• Add barley.
• Add thyme.
• Add beef back to the pot.

• Add salt, pepper and bay leaves.
• Lock the Instant Pot lid and make sure it is not on venting. Set to high pressure and cook for 40 minutes. Allow pressure to return to normal and then release any remaining pressure.

• Serve and enjoy.

Yield: 8 cups

Instant Pot Hearty Beef Barley Soup Recipe

Beef barley soup is the ultimate comfort food! This hearty beef barley soup recipe is loaded with beef and vegetables, so thick and delicious it will remind you of grandma's recipe.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes

Ingredients

2 lbs Cubed Beef Stew Meat
1 TBSP Olive Oil
1 TBSP Butter
2 TBSP Chopped Garlic
1 small Onion, chopped
1½ cups Celery, chopped
1½ cups Carrots, chopped
2 cups sliced Mushrooms
4 cups Beef Broth
3 cups Instant Barley
1 TBSP Dried Thyme
3 Bay Leaves
Salt, to taste
Ground Black Pepper, to taste

Instructions

• Set Instant Pot to sauté/browning feature.

• Add oil and butter and allow to sizzle.

• Add garlic and onion and cook 1-2 minutes or until onions are translucent, stirring occasionally.

• Add beef and brown, stirring occasionally.

• Remove beef from pot and set aside.

• Add celery, carrots and mushrooms to Instant Pot.

• Add beef broth.

• Add barley.

• Add thyme.

• Add beef back to pot.

• Add salt, pepper and bay leaves.

• Lock the Instant Pot lid and make sure it is not on venting. Set to high pressure and cook for 40 minutes. Allow pressure to return to normal and then release any remaining pressure.

• Serve and enjoy.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 360 Total Fat: 12g Saturated Fat: 5g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 7g Cholesterol: 116mg Sodium: 653mg Carbohydrates: 24g Fiber: 5g Sugar: 3g Protein: 41g

You may also enjoy these instant pot recipes:

• Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe – Easy to make, totally delicious, this instant pot cream of mushroom soup so good. The creamy goodness of this mushroom soup will have your family asking for seconds!

• Apple, Ham, and Cheese Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole Recipe – This yummy instant pot breakfast recipe is perfect for cooler days. If you have leftover ham, an apple, and some cheese, you are going to want to make this recipe!

• Disclosure the links in this post may be affiliate links.

• For more Recipes on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.

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Filed Under: Recipes, Soups

Impatiens Flowers: Tips for Growing Impatiens

January 16, 2019 By Ann Leave a Comment

Impatiens are the perfect plant for those limited on space, sun, and time. They are one of the most forgiving plants you can grow, and can quickly add a pop to color to even the smallest of growing spaces. If you are curious about growing impatiens, look below at some helpful growing tips. You will find that these tips for growing impatiens can help you achieve the yard of your dreams!

Impatiens Flowers: Tips for Growing Impatiens

Question? Who else calls Impatiens impatients? LOL I know I do because I cannot wait for them to grow into their full beauty!

Most Impatiens species are annual or perennial herbs with succulent stems, however, impatiens are popular garden annuals. Some species, like busy Lizzy (Impatiens walleriana), grow as perennials in US plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, mostly impatiens are usually treated as annuals in the United States.

I love impatiens and grow them in my backyard garden planters. They do great in my “just under” the backyard patio roof – enough sun to make them happy, but not dry them out.

Impatiens are available in most any color you can think of (except blue). It is any wonder they are such a popular bedding and pot flower!? Some of the most popular impatiens are:

• New Guinea Impatens – New Guinea Impantiens sport larger flowers and are considered great speaders (they will grow in and look lush and full). They are what we in the United States most likely think of when we think “impatiens”.

• Impatiens Balsamina is easily grown in evenly moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. This species is native to southern Asia in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar and not what you would think of as a traditional impatien in the United STates. I could only find them in seed form.

• Impatiens Glandulifera is a large annual plant native to the Himalayas. Very exotic, I could only find them for sale in seed form.

Plant Impatiens from Seedlings

You will experience success quicker if you plant impatiens directly from seedlings. You can typically buy flats for as little as $8 each (24 plants), making each seedling plant quite inexpensive. The plants can then be added to window boxes, planters, or added directly into flower beds and gardens.

If instead of buying seedlings you would prefer to grow your Impatiens from seed, here’s a great post: Growing Garden Seedlings Indoors

Choose to Plant your Impatiens in Well-draining, Nutrient Rich Soil

Impatiens are durable, but you still need to provide them with well-draining and nutrient rich soil. Potting soil with some compost mixed in is ideal, and always use planters and pots with proper drainage. This way, the roots stay dry and well fed.

And don’t forget to …

Give your Impatiens a Little Food

You can feed your impatiens liquid plant food every few weeks to keep them thriving. This will help increase your blooms, and help your plants fill out nicely. It can also help keep their foliage nice and green. While it is generally thought that bedding impatiens do not need extra food if your soil is well prepared with nutrients prior to planting, your impatiens in pots and boxes will need to be fed.

Do not Crowd Your Impatiens

You might get the itch to fill your pots up fast, but don’t overcrowd. Plant your impatiens a good 3 inches from each other so they can spread out naturally. This way, they also won’t be fighting for nutrients and they will grow in nice and full.

Sun or No Sun, Impatiens Will Thrive

Impatiens are a shade loving plant, so you do not have to worry if you get less than 6 hours of full sun a day, they will do just fine in shade, and continue to bloom all season. If you do not have shade, your impatiens will still thrive (provided they are not in full sun where their flower growth may be stunted) just be sure to keep the soil moist to prevent wilting and drying.

Dead Hhead Impatiens Regularly

Impatiens are one of those plants that will do better if dead blooms are pinched off. This way the plant can put its energy into new blooms and not reviving dead ones. You do not have to get fancy, just pinch old blooms off and toss them in your compost! I use my thumbnail if they need to be “cut”, but generally just pull off the flower heads (hence the term “dead head”).

Keep the Impatiens Soil Mmoist

You should give your impatiens watered well, with a good 2 inches of water per week. Impatiens like moist and crumbly/loose soil, and regular waterings should help. If you notice foliage turning yellow, hold off on ading water as it can be a sign of overwatering.

Watch the Impatiens Temperature

Impatiens are an annual, so they do not like cold weather. Cover plants at night if the temperatures dip or a frost is predicted. At the end of the summer season, you will either need to bring plants in or add them to compost. They will not regrow the following season unless you replant.

Impatiens are such sweet little flowers, and a great way to add color to your yard. Try these tips for growing impatiens and see how they can help!

Need more flowers that are partial to shade? These flowers may be just what you are looking for:

• 7 Reasons to Grow Vinca Vines – Perennial Vinca vines sure do pack a garden punch. These little flowers are beautiful and mighty, thriving even in less than ideal growing conditions. If you are looking for some colorful ground cover, vinca vines may be just the plant you are looking for.

• 8 Great Reasons to Grow Hostas – Hostas do not get nearly enough attention for being the amazing plants they are. They are so simple to grow and can provide endless beauty for your yard. Aside from their easy care and beauty, there are even more reasons to grow these wonderful perennials.

• 10 Best Low Light Houseplants – If you have a darker room without a lot of natural sunlight, do not despair – you can still grow houseplants indoors! Here is a list of the 10 Best Low Light Houseplants to grow inside.

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• For more Gardening posts on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.

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