Cleaning the cleaning appliances seems equally forgettable and obsessive – however, when it comes to a dishwasher, it’s apparently highly recommended and borderline required – monthly!

Turns out, that soap scum, undissolved detergent and food debris can build on dishwashers’ walls, seals, traps and drains, according to Mareike Greve, senior marketing manager at Whirlpool Corporation. All that residue can become a breeding ground for germs, which then can be transferred to dishes. The minerals in hard water can also build up in dishwashers, causing limescale and mineral deposits which can affect the machine’s performance.