Your dishwasher is one of the hardest working appliances in your kitchen. Some of us rely on them so much, we may be lucky to have two – one for clean dishes (ready to unload) and one for dirty dishes.
We have all become accustomed to loading the dishwasher after a good meal (or just a cup of coffee), turning it to the wash cycle and letting it do the dish-washing for us – allowing us to focus on other things. When your dishwasher breaks down, it can become a big inconvenience of your valuable time and energy.
Help extend the life of your dishwasher & keep your dishes clean and sparkly with these 10 helpful tips…
1. Scraping vs. Rinsing
We say friends don’t let friends pre-wash their dishes. But don’t mistake pre-washing for scraping. Before placing dishes into the dishwasher, be sure to scrape off excess food bits. This will help reduce particles stuck on dishes once the cycle is over.
2. Avoid Crowds
Breathing Space is important when it comes to a loaded dishwasher for the best cleaning results. Load your dishes facing the center of the dishwasher and avoid any plates or utensils nestling with each other to let the spray arms reach every part of them.
3. Choosing Your Cycle
It is important to choose the right cleaning cycle for the type of job. You may be tempted to use a shorter cleaning cycle to save some dough, but just like doing your laundry, keep dishes with similar soil levels together to end up with the best results.
4. Double Agent
A rinse-agent is dispensed independently of the soap near the end of the cycle and mixes with the rinse water. It is formulated to make the water droplets repel from the items being washed leaving them spotless. Having rinse-agent added to detergent is not necessary.
5. Don’t Get Trapped
It is important to routinely clean out your dishwasher’s filter. You can find the filter under the lower spray arm. Sometimes the filter will come out fully so it can be rinsed in the sink; sometimes a towel is needed to remove the gunk buildup.
6. More Is Not Better
You’ve loaded your dishwasher and are ready to start washing. When putting detergent into the detergent dispenser, be sure to only fill the detergent to the marked fill line. Over-filling the detergent may cause washing issues.
7. Sparkling Clean
Just like you, your dishwasher needs a bath too. Use a cleaning agent or a vinegar wash to keep the inside clean. For a vinegar wash, pour 2 cups of vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher and run on low. Midway through the cycle stop it for 15-20 minutes to let the vinegar work its magic and then continue with the cycle.
8. Lemony Fresh
If your dishwasher has an odor that you want to eliminate, mix it a citrus drink. Seriously. Fill your detergent holder with powdered lemonade, Tang or Crystal Light and run an empty cycle. Not only will it freshen the smell, it powers off mineral deposits too.
9. Seal Of Approval
After a few months of regular use, your dishwasher’s rubber gasket door seal may accumulate a bit of gunk and be a bit sticky. This can also occur around the soap door. Use a vinegar and water solution and a rag (or even a soft toothbrush) to remove any residue you may find.
10. Listen & Watch
Pay close attention to how your dishwasher sounds and looks to avoid expensive repair bills and potential appliance catastrophes. If it sounds louder than normal, if you see rust stains, if your dishes are coming out wet or not clean, or if your detergent dispenser isn’t opening, it is time to have your dishwasher serviced by an appliance technician.
Add comment