Avoid using a Drano in your dishwasher by all means. Having your dishwasher malfunction can be quite challenging, especially if you’re out of options about the possible causes.
So, can you use Drano in a dishwasher, one may ask? Drano is used for clearing clogged sinks, tubs or shower drains.
However, not all cleaning agents are suitable for you to use in your dishwasher, especially not a Drano.
This article explains why you should never use a Drano in a dishwasher, even though it is effective for clearing clogged pipes.
Table of Contents
- Can You Use Drano in a Dishwasher?
- What Happens When You Use Drano in a Dishwasher?
- Where Not To Use a Drano?
- Dishwasher Won’t Drain (3 Reasons)
- Alternative To Drano
- How To Prevent Clogging The Dishwasher
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Can You Use Drano in a Dishwasher?
A Drano is a cleaning agent, basically, a chemical whose primary ingredient is sodium hydraulic, also known as caustic soda or lye. It is not acidic but equally corrosive, if not more.
Because of how readily available it is, many people are unaware of its potential dangers, especially when misused.
Drano contains harsh chemicals that may damage the appliance’s plastic parts and leave toxic residue on your dishes and the dishwashing machine.
What Happens When You Use Drano in a Dishwasher?
Dranos are very effective for clearing clogged sinks and pipes. A small amount of the chemical in water can generate a lot of heat.
The heat, alongside the chemicals, effectively melts any build-up, including grease. In metal pipes, a Drano may be the best option. However, it is capable of melting plastic pipes.
Now, dishwasher drains are made of thin, fragile plastic that can melt easily under intense heat.
The effects of using a Drano in a dishwasher are not limited to melting the drain pipes alone, but the chemicals can damage the pump and splash back on the dishes if you don’t flush it out well.
Overall, there’s no guarantee that your dishwasher or dishes are safe when you use a Drano in a dishwasher.
Where Not To Use a Drano?
One common issue with many home appliances with drainages, like washing machines, a dishwasher, or dryers, is that they easily get clogged up.
Some of these appliances often begin to malfunction and eventually fold up. In situations where the machines are still functioning, you can have difficulty operating them due to overheating or stench from the build-up in the pipes.
Thinking of a quick fix to clogged pipes can save you from a lot of trouble, including spending extra. But as effective and fast as a Drano clears clogged sinks, you should never use it in;
· Washing machine
· dishwasher
· Dryers
· Toilets
· Any drainage with plastic pipes
Dishwasher Won’t Drain (3 Reasons)
Three primary reasons may cause your dishwasher not to drain after a complete cycle: the filter, the garbage disposal, or the air gap.
Filters
The filters in your dishwasher sieve out any food particles or grease to prevent them from getting into the drain directly and blocking it. When the filters are clogged, it prevents the water from draining.
Whenever your dishwasher is not draining, check the filters and clean them. Ideally, you should clear them occasionally to prevent any blockage. Take out the filters, empty them, wash and replace them.
Garbage Disposal
If you have a garbage disposal, your dishwasher drains directly into it, and often, the garbage disposal is filled with ungrounded food, which can affect the drain hose.
When clearing the garbage disposal, do it when the dishwasher is running so that it will drain into the drain hose.
Air Gap
Not all dishwashers have air gaps. However, if you have one, it could be another way to fix your drainage problem easily.
Check for a chrome dome-shaped fitting on the back of the sink and pull it out to clear any debris blocking the sink.
These are some safe ways to clear up clogged drains or sinks manually. But not everyone may find these methods convenient since chemicals do it faster.
In that case, there is still a safer alternative to Drano that can effectively clear the debris in the drains.
Can Drano Ever Be Used in a Dishwasher?
If you are in a panic and only have Drano available, don’t panic. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and you may have to resort to using Drano as your last resort.
It could be a better idea and not recommended, but using it in small amounts may unclog your dishwasher without harming it.
Alternative To Drano
Vinegar and baking soda are great alternatives to Drano. Even though they’re chemicals, their combination is relatively safer than Drano, and using them in a dishwasher has no side effects.
Clear out the drain in these easy steps using vinegar and baking;
- Uncover the drain by removing the filters. Pour a cup of baking soda into the drain. Pour a cup of vinegar into the drain and replace the filters.
- The mixture would produce a fizz and foam in the drain, which will melt the grease and loosen any build-up. Allow this to fizz for about 30 minutes.
- Pour a bowl of hot water into the drain until it clears up, and set the dishwasher to a rinse cycle.
- Make sure to wash the filters before replacing them after cleaning.
How To Prevent Clogging The Dishwasher
Instead of waiting for your dishwasher to clog before clearing it up, you can prevent it from clogging in the first place.
Clogging in any machine can reduce its efficiency of the machine. In many cases where the build-up contains biodegradable particles, your house will smell whenever you try to use the machine.
You can prevent the trouble of unblocking clogged pipes and having your house smell like a garbage can.
- Clear the food particles on your plates before putting them in the dishwasher. Avoid throwing in bones or other thick food particles that can easily block the drain.
- Do your dishes regularly.
- Run a hot water cycle to melt any oil or grease.
- Clear the filters, garbage disposal, and other easily blocked parts.
- Run routine maintenance on the drain using baking soda, vinegar, and hot water to flush out the dirt.
The acidity of vinegar makes this home remedy so effective for breaking down dirt that clogs up dishwashers. As an added benefit, it also prevents and removes odors.
Using baking soda is an easy remedy for removing stubborn food waste residue.
Repeating this short task every few months ensures your dishwasher stays smelling good and running efficiently, ultimately extending this expensive appliance’s lifespan.
Related Post:
- How To Clean Sink with Baking Soda
- How To Fix Cracks in Plastic Bathtubs
- How To Get Rid of Plastic Smell on the Stovetop
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Unclog A Dishwasher That Won’t Drain?
You can run a hot wash with vinegar in a standing cup inside your dishwasher if your dishwasher doesn’t drain.
After you’ve bailed out the dirty water, checked the filter for debris, and removed any visible blockages, the next step is to add a cup of vinegar and baking soda to the bottom of your dishwasher.
Leave for 20 minutes or more, then run a second hot wash. This should help clear the blockage. The problem may be severe and require professional help if it doesn’t.
Can You Put Drano In A Dishwasher To Unclog It?
You shouldn’t use Drano to unclog dishwashers. In addition to unclogging shower drains, bathtub drains, and sink clogs, you should not use Drano to unclog dishwashers.
Are Chemical Dishwasher Cleaners Better Than Homemade Cleaners?
Making your own dishwasher cleaning products is very simple and requires very few ingredients that you may already have on hand.
However, you shouldn’t use vinegar and baking soda too often as they may damage the dishwashing machine’s rubber seals. Using this mixture once every month is enough.
Many shop-bought dishwasher cleaning products are premixed but environmental companies such as Branch caution that cheap, unregulated products may contain toxic ingredients.
You can purchase Beckmann’s Service It Deep Clean Dishwasher Cleaner online, such as on Amazon.
Why Is There Water In The Bottom Of My Dishwasher?
Usually, water at the bottom of a dishwasher means a blockage in the dishwasher filter (the small, round, sieve-like basket), the drain
hose, the drain pump, or the air gap.
To start, bail out the water, check the dishwasher’s filter and bottom and clean them. After rinsing the dishwasher, run it to see if the water is clear.
Meanwhile, check your garbage disposal. If it is full, the water in your dishwasher may be a backup, and you may need to unclog it. You may need to hire a professional to clear the clog if neither works.
Conclusion
Drano is very common because of how fast it clears out blocked pipes but it is equally hazardous and should be out of reach for children and other adults unfamiliar with the dangers of using it in plastic pipes.
There are several other ways of unclogging drains, both manually and with chemicals, but chemicals like Drano should not be used in homes since most homes use plastic pipes in their drains.
