Kitchen

[coffee drinker]

This stuff does wonders cleaning the inside of a dishwasher. Mine was kind of nasty, so I used citric acid. This suggestion was given to me by the CS rep at GE. They sell the stuff, but the cost was $6.99 plus $5.99 S&H, so I decided to find it. There it was at Wal-Mart with the canning supplies. $2.99 for a good size jar. Don't know if my DW sparkled because it's stainless steel, but it came out so clean. I just filled the "soap dish" and sprinkled some on the floor of the EMPTY D/W and set it to the normal wash cycle. Just thought I'd share this with you.

[Another new name Sue]

I've used packets of it to clean my countertop water heater. You got a good deal at WM. It's worth keeping the dishwasher clean as it will operate better for you over the years. I throw in a cup or two of vinegar with a full load along with the dishwashing packet (not every time but maybe monthly).

[Kachina624]

I lived in a place where the water was so bad you had to add citric acid to every dishwasher load. Still, all my glassware got etched and cloudy. When I moved I took all my glasses to a dumpster and bought new ones. Walmart carried it there with the dish washing supplies.

[Campion]

Hey, thanks. I need that for all kinds of things (coffee pot, dishwasher) and didn't think of canning supplies. That is a 7 oz jar from Ball at Walmart for 3 bucks. If you want more (16oz or a pound) you can find that online for about 10 dollars. I use it a lot.

[Poodlepet2]

We replaced a water softener that came with a house we bought, but it needed citric acid in addition to salt. The big chain stores didn't carry it, but luckily, the locally owned Ace Hardware did and it was very reasonable. Perhaps you could check with a company that sells water softener or talk to a locally owned hardware store. It could be very expensive because there are different grades of citric acid, and you certainly don't need food or laboratory grade. Poodlepet

[coffee drinker]

Thanks all for your comments. At first I did not know where to find the citric acid and my first thought was the pharmacy dept. at the local grocery stores. They were stumped. After checking on-line, I saw that WM carried it with the canning supplies. So cheap, I bought 2 jars of the stuff so I wouldn't run out during the winter months. My thinking is it may be available only during the summer months.

[Poodlepet2]

Coffee drinker it should be available year round It's used in bread baking (sometimes it's called sour salt) and its used in laboratories as part of buffering solutions and pH adjustment. Once again, some water softener use it. I'm going to try your idea, and I bet it would do wonders in my front loading washer. It can get a nasty smell and I always have to clean it. It's nearing the end of its life, and rest assured I will not buy another front loading washer! Poodlepet

[coffee drinker]

Poodlepet, thanks for the idea about using citric acid in the front loader washing machine. Mine sort of stinks -- not too bad, but it does smell. I wonder if cleaning the WM with the citric acid would eliminate the dark spots I'm seeing on the white towels. Just wondering if anyone else has this problem (dark spots) and how they solved it.

ETA -- I hear you about not buying another front loader. I feel the same and when and if my machine goes, it's only 6 years old, I definitely will buy a top loader that are now sold without the agitator.

[Poodlepet2]

Coffee, a few months ago a big deal was being made about all brands and models of front loading washing machines. A big deal was being made because there are defects in the design and the manufacturers knew all about it but did nothing to remediate it. I can tell you what the problem is with mine: it's mold and mildew. I am forever and a day cleaning gaskets etc because I can't stand that terrible smell. I have tried everything-like liquid Lysol. I spent a ridiculous amount of money on this product (my memory is faulty on this, but I think it was Tide) that promised to clean washing machines and eradicate bad smells. They were investigated and it turned out to be false advertising. I have found that keeping the door ajar-as I would with a top loader-helps, but our laundry room is narrow and you have to walk through it to get to the garage, so there are not too many occasions when I can keep it open. Based on your experience with your dishwasher, I will try it in the washer: it can't hurt, right? Poodlepet

[coffee drinker]

Poodle, I can't say I have mold or mildew in mine -- I'm not looking for that stuff, but it does smell. I've found keeping the door opened does help somewhat. I'd be very interested if and when you try the citric acid and if it does the job. Where would you put it -- in the soap dish or sprinkle it in the machine and then let it run its cycle. Please post back if you don't mind and I may just try it before my next wash day and I'll post back.