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Is Your Dishwasher Making You Sick? The Hidden Cause of Upset Tummies

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We’d been on an endless run of upset tummies in our house. Nothing drastic, but that constant low-level queasiness that makes you suspicious of everything you eat. At first we thought it was a bug. Then maybe something from the supermarket. But weeks went by, and no matter what we cut out, the tummy troubles continued.

The turning point came when we had an interstate guest stay with us. Within a couple of days, they too were feeling off. That’s when it hit us: it wasn’t outside food, it was something inside our home.

So began the detective work. We checked the pantry. We checked the fridge seals. We even wondered if it was the tap water. Finally, after ruling out everything else, we turned to the one appliance we never gave a second thought to—the dishwasher.

And there it was.

The Dirty Secret Lurking in Dishwashers

Dishwashers are supposed to clean, but they’re also warm, damp little caves that can harbour bacteria, mold, and a slimy build-up called biofilm. Over time, this gunk settles in the filter, the door seals, and even inside the spray arms. Every wash cycle then blasts tiny particles back over your “clean” dishes. No wonder our tummies were rebelling.

How We Cleaned Our Dishwasher (and Got Our Health Back)

Once we realised, I got straight to work. Here’s exactly what we did:

  1. Pulled out and cleaned the filter – It was, honestly, disgusting. A toothbrush and hot soapy water made quick work of it. 
  2. Scrubbed the door seals and edges – I used an old cloth dipped in vinegar and baking soda paste to get rid of black moldy streaks hiding in the rubber. 
  3. Unclogged the spray arms – A toothpick helped poke out greasy food particles. 
  4. Ran a deep cleaning cycle – First with vinegar, then with baking soda (see the recipe below!). 
  5. Let it breathe – Now we keep the door slightly ajar between washes to stop that musty, bacteria-loving damp. 

The tummy troubles? Gone. Every one of us, including our guest, felt better within a week. It turns out our “mystery illness” wasn’t food poisoning or a never-ending virus, but dirty dishes that weren’t really clean.

DIY Dishwasher Cleaning Recipes

Deep Clean Dishwasher Detox

Do this when your dishwasher smells funky or you haven’t cleaned it in a while.

  • 1 cup white vinegar 
  • ½ cup baking soda 
  • Optional: a few drops of lemon essential oil 

Method:

  1. Remove and wash the filter with hot soapy water. 
  2. Place a cup of vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl on the top rack. Run the hottest cycle. 
  3. When that finishes, sprinkle baking soda across the bottom and run a short hot cycle. 
  4. For freshness, add lemon oil to the baking soda before running. 

This kills bacteria, cuts grease, and leaves your dishwasher smelling like new.

Regular Maintenance Clean

Do this once a month to keep everything running smoothly.

  • 1 cup white vinegar 
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda 

Method:

  1. Wipe down seals and edges with a cloth dipped in vinegar. 
  2. Place the vinegar in a small bowl on the top rack. 
  3. Sprinkle baking soda across the bottom and run a quick hot wash. 

Think of this as a spa day for your dishwasher—quick, easy, and keeps the germs at bay.

Tips to Keep Your Dishwasher from Making You Sick

  • Clean the filter once a week. 
  • Do a vinegar/baking soda clean monthly. 
  • Check for mold in the door seals regularly. 
  • Scrape (but don’t rinse) plates before loading to reduce build-up. 
  • Let the machine dry fully between uses. 

If you’ve had a string of unexplained upset tummies, don’t just blame the takeaway. Take a peek inside your dishwasher—it might be the hidden culprit.

Check out these DIY Dishwasher blocks over on our sister site.

 

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