It’s no secret that the humble dishwasher is now a common sight in most homes and a kitchen appliance that gets used regularly. Householders rely on their dishwashers to function as expected whenever they need to use them.
The thing is, dishwashers, like other kitchen appliances, demand regular cleaning and maintenance to perform at their best. Without preventative care, dishwashers can fail, resulting in dishwasher repair costs. Here are the best ways to take care of your dishwasher:
All dishwashers have filters to prevent large objects and debris from damaging internal components during each wash cycle. Dishwashers that are 10+ years old have self-cleaning filters, while today’s modern ones have manual filters that need periodic cleaning.
The older self-cleaning types have grinders and seldom need attention. However, newer dishwashers with manual filters need cleaning according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule (or whenever you notice large chunks of debris lodged inside it).
Manual filters are simple to remove, and you can clean them by rinsing them under the faucet. If you don’t clean your filter regularly, your dishwasher won’t drain dirty water and detergent effectively.
There’s no denying that today’s dishwashers do an excellent job of cleaning dirty dishes, cutlery, and utensils. They boast intense hot water and detergent action to remove even the toughest stains.
While that’s a fact, some people may experience white or gray deposits inside their dishwashers and on their dishes and other items. The reason for that is due to a buildup of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water supply. This is called “hard water.”
When you notice such problems, you can resolve them as follows:
Ensure your dishwasher is empty;
Pour two cups of white vinegar into a glass;
Place it at the bottom rack;
Close the dishwasher door, select a regular cycle (not an intense or “self-clean” option) and start the process.
Once the cycle completes, open the dishwasher door slightly and leave it ajar overnight. You can then use your dishwasher, as usual, the next day.
Before loading your dishwasher, make sure that you scrape off any hard or lumpy food remnants from your dishes in the sink under your faucet. Doing so will significantly reduce the risk of those items getting stuck in your filter and clogging it up.
The process doesn’t need to be exhaustive; simply use a brush and hot water to dislodge those food items.
Did you know the upper and lower spray arms in your dishwasher are removable? You can take them out and run them under hot water in your sink. The reason for doing that is you can clear any nozzles that have got blocked by hard water deposits.
Consider doing that once every month if you live in a hard water area or less frequently elsewhere. Doing so will ensure your dishwasher doesn’t have reduced cleaning power.
Lastly, it might seem like cleaning the dishwasher is a bit of a strange thing to do, considering the inside of it should be clean after a completed cycle. However, your dishwasher won't clean its door edges and seals by itself.
Simply use a cloth and non-abrasive cleaner to rub down those areas once a month. When you keep those areas clean, you prevent a buildup of mold and bacteria.
Modern dishwashers don’t require much care to continue operating efficiently. But, if you don’t carry out these top care instructions as needed, you may end up needing dishwasher repair services.