The water pocket on the side of the dishwasher can often be cleaned without removing it. However, if the dirt is very stubborn or old, it is sometimes necessary to remove it and clean it more intensively, but this requires knowledge of how the solenoid valve works.
First try without dismantling
One of the first possible causes when a dishwasher stinks is contamination of the water pocket. This component, also known as the water sensor, has a float and thin water flow nozzles on which dirt, fungi and mould can accumulate.
When cleaning the dishwasher, it is always worthwhile to first run it through with liquid detergents before considering dismantling it. The plastics that make up the water pockets of modern dishwashers resist strong chemical agents such as drain cleaners, acids and alkalis.
If removal is necessary because the flow-through cleaning is not sufficient, the residual water must first be drained from the water pocket. For this procedure, the solenoid valve is energised on one side, but this should only be done with the appropriate expertise.
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To clean the water pocket
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Pass cleaning without removal
Pour pipe or drain cleaner into your dishwasher and run a pass through at the highest temperature setting. Repeat this procedure with caustic soda and with diluted citric acid. Finally, run two to three empty rinse cycles with clear water to rinse out any chemical residue.
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Remove the water pocket
Unscrew the inner side panel of the dishwasher. After emptying the water pocket, loosen the retaining screws and dismantle the usually three water hoses. Remove the water pocket from the machine.
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Soak the water pocket
Place the water pocket in a container or the bathtub with detergents mixed in, such as denture cleaner, citric acid or chemical household cleaners. Let the water pocket soak in the cleaning bath for several hours.
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Rinse the water pocket
Flush the water pocket with water pressure by holding the water hose to the different water spouts. Flush several times in each direction.
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Scrape out the water pocket
Insert a piece of nail cleaner and move it back and forth inside the water pocket and the dirty canal paths and scrape out the dirt. Keep flushing in between.
Tools:
- Bucket or container
- Absorbent cloth
- Neodymium magnet
- Needle or nail centre piece without head
Materials: Special cleaner, Denture cleaner, Drain cleaner, Caustic soda, Citric acid
Beko DVN05320W Dishwasher Freestanding 13 Place Settings
Hotpoint HSFE1B19UKN F Dishwasher Slimline 45cm 10 Place White
David Shaw
Dishwashers expert with over 10 years of experience. He writes articles and shares his knowledge on many sites. Helps you choose the best (portable, countertop, built-in) dishwashers on this site.
