Dishwashers smell horrible many times, especially when sink water backs up or when similar things happen. Fabuloso, the awesome multi-purpose cleaner that leaves behind a lovely fragrance can be used on most hard surfaces. Can you put it in the dishwasher to clean your dishes? Can you clean your dishwasher with it? Or Can you use it in the dishwasher to clean your dishes?
Can You Put Fabuloso in the Dishwasher?
Fabuloso explicitly states on its FAQ page that its products are not made to be used to wash dishes. Fabuloso and Fabuloso Complete cannot be used to clean dishes, and by extension, any item that handles food.
Although dishes are non-porous, and Fabuloso can be used on hard, non-porous surfaces, it has surfactants, colorants, fragrances, and other chemical ingredients that can leave behind residues, that one may ingest accidentally.
Ingesting Fabuloso can make you sick.
Can You Use Fabuloso in a Dishwasher to Clean Dishes?
Do not use Fabuloso if you are in a pinch and have run out of dishwashing detergent. Fabuloso’s strong fragrance remains for hours after cleaning any item or surface.
If you use it to clean your dishes, the dishes will smell of Fabuloso, and the scent will permeate any food that is placed on the dish. If any residue is left behind on the dishes, and you use it for your meals, it can cause digestive problems and irritation.
Natural Options You Can Use in a Dishwasher
If you have run out of dishwasher pods or powder, use one of the following alternatives:
1- Baking Soda: Fill the dispenser with baking soda and run the cycle as normal. Baking soda will not harm even if ingested as it is used in baking anyways. Even Cnet recommends using it in the dishwasher.
2- Borax: Add borax to the detergent dispenser and run a normal wash cycle.
3- Lemon Juice: This is great for removing grease from dishes. Pour ½ a cupful into a bowl and leave it on the top rack of your dishwasher.
These are better, safer alternatives to clean your dishes than Fabuloso. They are also commonly found in most homes.
Can You Clean the Dishwasher with Fabuloso?
You may think a dishwasher is self-cleaning, but it does need to be deep cleaned regularly to remove built-up grime and food particles. The label on the Fabuloso product does not indicate that it can be used to clean appliances therefore it is not advisable to use Fabuloso.
However, if you feel you must clean it with Fabuloso to make the appliance smell like Fabuloso, try the following steps:
STEP 1- Gather the following items
- Spray bottle filled with water and ⅛ cup of Fabuloso
- Sponge
- Old toothbrush
- Gloves
- Microfiber cloth
STEP 2- Take out the removable items, such as the filters and the racks. Leave these to soak in warm water and dish soap. Then, gently scrub and rinse in running warm water.
STEP 3- Spray the insides of the dishwasher, including the spray arms.
STEP 4- Scrub gently with a sponge. Use the toothbrush to clean out the areas that are hard to reach. Remember to clean the rubber gasket as well.
STEP 5- Run the dishwasher on a hot cycle to clear away the dirt and rinse out the Fabuloso.
Fabuloso has a strong scent and may still linger even after cleaning the dishwasher. If you want to avoid the scent from settling onto your plates, use vinegar and baking soda to clean your dishwasher.
Place a bowl of vinegar on the dishwasher’s top rack. Run a hot machine cycle. Then, sprinkle baking soda around the insides and run another hot cycle. This will clean out your dishwasher, leaving it fresh and odorless. Ensure the dishwasher is empty before deep cleaning it.
Keeping Your Dishwasher Smelling Nice with Deep Cleaning
If dishwashers are not deep-cleaned every 6 months, they will start to smell due to the build-up of grime, bacteria, and even mold. Food particles caught in the filter and spray arm will start to rot. Any standing water will also cause mold. To get rid of the nasty smell, do the following first:
1- Clean the Spray Arms
Remove them and clean the holes with an old toothbrush or toothpick, to remove built-up grime and grease. Rinse thoroughly in running water.
2- Clean the Filter
Remove the filter and leave it in warm soapy water for a little while. To remove the gunk, scrub with a soft brush and rinse thoroughly.
3- Clean the Insides
Clean the insides of the dishwasher with a soft sponge dipped in dish soap and water. Use the old toothbrush to clean the hard-to-reach areas, including the rubber gasket. The rubber gasket is often forgotten and accumulates a lot of grime.
4- Check the Hose
Check that the hose is functioning properly and draining out all the dirty water.
5- Use Vinegar and Baking soda
Use vinegar (by placing it in a bowl kept on the top rack of the dishwasher and running a hot cycle) and then sprinkle baking soda inside and run a hot cycle again to remove foul odors.
6- Air Dry
Leave the dishwasher door open and let the dishwasher air dry.
Once you have thoroughly cleaned your dishwasher, you can use the following to keep it smelling fresh:
1- Lemon juice: Put lemon juice in a bowl, place it on the top rack and run a cycle. Make sure the dishwasher is empty.
2- Essential oils: Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, such as orange, lavender, or peppermint to the bowl of vinegar, place it on the rack, and run a cycle. This will leave behind a pleasant smell.
3- Commercial dishwasher cleaning tablets: You can get tablets that clean the dishwasher and leave behind a nice fragrance.
Tip: Scrape off food bits from plates before loading them in.
Final Words!
Do not use Fabuloso to clean your dishes or use it in place of dishwasher detergent. Fabuloso is not meant for items that come into contact with food.
While you can use Fabuloso to clean the insides of your dishwasher, it is advisable not to make this a habit. It is better to use the other alternatives mentioned above.
