With time, dishwashers no longer discharge water as quickly as they should. Generally, faulty exhausts are caused by clogged hoses that collect various impurities. You don’t need to call a plumber if you want to unclog the dishwasher’s drain hose: you can do it yourself!
1. Find the drain hose and disconnect it
Before unclogging the dishwasher, make sure it’s unplugged. This step is necessary every time you work with an appliance that uses water. Once the washing machine has been disconnected from the power, locate the drain hose.
Usually, it’s connected to the pump and sink. Place a basin under the hose to collect dirt. With pliers, unscrew the hose and allow residues to drain.
2. Wash the hose
To quickly remove all residues stuck inside your hose, use water at maximum pressure. If you have a high-pressure garden hose, you can use that as well. Remove all impurities deposited inside the dishwasher filters.
3. Clean the hose with vinegar and baking soda
To make sure that the dishwasher’s hose has no dirt left inside, you should rinse it with a solution of vinegar and baking soda. Pour a teaspoon of baking soda inside the hose, shake it well, then add two tablespoons of vinegar. These ingredients will create a strong chemical reaction that will help clean the dishwasher’s hose.
Finally, rinse the hose with warm water and let it dry thoroughly before installing it.
4. Replace the hose (optional).
It’s time to replace the hose if none of the above solutions work. The hose should also be replaced if it shows cracks and holes.
5. Connect the hose to the dishwasher
Once the hose has been thoroughly cleaned and dried, it is time to replace it, but not before thoroughly cleaning the dishwasher as well. A dishwasher’s trial cycle should be tested without dishes inside first, to ensure that it drains water properly.