Can I Put Bleach In My Stainless Steel Dishwasher? (Answered!) -

Dishwashers are fascinating when in full flow but it’s important to understand what can and cannot be put inside.

A common item that is talked about is bleach. You may want to clean the stainless steel dishwasher with bleach or use it for a specific part that is starting to get dirty. Since bleach is used for cleaning other items, it’s natural to assume it will work in a dishwasher too.

Before doing this, you should ask, can I put bleach in my stainless steel dishwasher?

You cannot put bleach in a stainless steel dishwasher. This will harm the internal components and lead to unwanted damage. The bleach can have a destructive reaction with the stainless steel causing it to erode.

If you wish to clean a dishwasher from the inside, it’s best to use a specialized cleaning agent. This will ensure the dishwasher is clean and doesn’t get damaged.

For those who want to know why bleach isn’t good for a dishwasher, this article will list some of the reasons why bleach should not go in a dishwasher.

Table of Contents

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Reasons Bleach Is Bad For Dishwashers

1. Causes Erosion

The primary concern has to do with erosion.

Bleach does not work with stainless steel and is going to cause an adverse reaction. This will vary depending on the amount of bleach used inside the dishwasher.

For the most part, you will begin to notice erosion along the surface of the steel. This will not only start in the short term but can become a prolonged concern that’s difficult to control. As a result, it’s best to avoid using bleach in a dishwasher.

It is also not going to help clean the dishwasher due to this reaction.

Most dishwasher owners end up having to spend extra time cleaning the bleach out of the dishwasher. This is going to be an extended cleaning session no one wants to deal with at home!

can i put bleach in my stainless steel dishwasher

2. Reacts Poorly To Baking Soda & Vinegar

Let’s assume you come up with a cleaning plan for your dishwasher.

For the most part, people prefer using the same cleaning products they do around the house. This includes the classic baking soda + vinegar mix. This is renowned for doing a good job of cleaning impurities on surfaces and around the house.

You can also use them inside a dishwasher.

Unfortunately, the same doesn’t apply to mixing bleach with these ingredients. They are not going to blend well when it comes to cleaning a stainless steel dishwasher.

Instead, the reaction is going to be the opposite of what you expect.

The stainless steel is going to erode and the cleaning process will come to a halt. It will also take away the quality of the other ingredients.

3. Strong Odor

The odor is going to be strong with bleach.

You don’t want to use bleach inside a dishwasher as it can be difficult to remove the odor. This odor is going to settle into everything inside the dishwasher and that can be problematic.

Most people prefer to use specialized cleaning agents for dishwashers due to this reason. There are several that are sold on the open market and you should look into getting one for yourself.

The cleaning agent won’t have that underlying odor that comes along with traditional bleach.

4. Can Be Difficult To Remove or Rinse

You also have to think about how the bleach is going to be rinsed inside a dishwasher.

When you put bleach in a dishwasher, it has to be rinsed. Just running the dishwasher cycle isn’t going to cut it and most of the bleach will not be removed.

This is why you have to look at alternatives that are easier to get rid of once you’re done.

If you don’t do this, it will become a challenging task to handle.

Final Thoughts

Can I put bleach in my stainless steel dishwasher?

You cannot put bleach in a stainless steel dishwasher. This will cause erosion and damage the inside of the dishwasher right away. It’s best to use a specialized cleaning agent that is specifically formulated for cleaning a dishwasher from the inside.

If you take the time to use a quality dishwasher cleaner, it will work far better than something as inefficient as bleach.

Leave the bleach for other parts of the house and not the dishwasher.

This is the best way to ensure the dishwasher remains in good shape and you are not left trying to get rid of the bleach inside a dishwasher. Keep things simple and go with a formulated solution.

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