Dishwashers are possibly one of the most used appliances in our kitchens, right after our ovens and refrigerators. But many people neglect their care because they think—well, aren’t they just cleaning themselves?
If you’ve noticed that your dishwasher is lagging behind, or you just want to make sure that you’re properly maintaining it so that it lasts you a long time, continue reading our tips to make the most out of your dishwasher.
Clean it Regularly
The best thing that you can do to maintain your dishwasher and get it running smoothly, is to wash it regularly. Don’t believe the myth that your dishwasher is self-cleaning. When it washes your dirty dishes, food buildup and even mold can appear at the bottom and the filter. The heating elements can have caked-on messes and grease will always find a way to clog up pipes.
First, you’ll also want to check the sprays, jets, and pumps to make sure there’s nothing clogging them. When that’s done, wipe the inside doors and walls of the dishwasher to remove any loose buildup. You can then run a regular cycle with dishwashing detergent or a cup of white vinegar placed on the top rack. After the cycle is done, you can then run a shorter rinse cycle to remove excess soap.
Once the entire machine has gotten a deep clean, then you can clean the filter or food trap. This should be done on a regular basis anyway. We know….it’s not exactly the most fun part of owning a dishwasher. But in order to keep the machine running efficiently, and maintain clean dishes, it’s one of the most important things that you can do. The food trap is usually located at the bottom of the dishwasher, underneath the sprayer. Remove the trap and use a paper towel to clean around the bottom of the washer. Then, you can take the filter and rinse it under hot water. You want to make sure that you allow the water to flow in the opposite direction of how it flows within the dishwasher.
Load Your Dishwasher Correctly
There are a few common mistakes people make when loading their dishwasher. First, you don’t need to rinse your dishes beforehand. Soap needs something to cling to, and if the dish is placed completely rinsed into the dishwasher, it will have nothing but the material to cling onto. This means you could actually damage your dishware over time!
When loading your dishwasher, angle your dishes down toward the bottom and space them out so that they’re far apart. If they’re too close, you can damage them and they won’t get cleaned properly. For plates, load them on the bottom and have them facing the centre of the dishwasher so that the water can access them better. Make sure you don’t overload the dishwasher either. The top level is reserved for your soup bowls, mugs, glass cups, and wine glasses. Don’t place these items on the bottom as they could break. The bottom rack is closer to the jets and spraying arm, whereas the top rack is further away providing a gentler clean.
Loading your dishwasher correctly will prevent any unnecessary strain or clogging in the machine, allowing it to last a lot longer.
Use the Right Cycle
Too often, people choose the wrong cycle for their washing machine, either overworking it or underworking it. If you choose a cycle that’s too hot or too long, you’re putting undue stress on the appliance. A cycle that’s too light, however, can mean that your dishes don’t come out as clean. Just because you’re mixing soap and water together, doesn’t mean that the dishes will come out clean no matter what.
It’s pretty easy to figure out which cycle is best for each load, it just takes a little reflection. Think about how caked-on the food is in that casserole dish. Or consider how greasy the glassware became over the course of the night—if your dishes look like they need a deep clean, then it’s best to not use a “quick” or “normal” cycle. You’ll want to use hot water and a cycle that can diligently clean off all that residue. If you have a smart dishwasher—one that can decide a cycle for you using AI technology—you can take out all the guesswork.
Smart dishwashers, and other appliances, can actually connect to your phone via an app. They can let you know if rinse aid or detergent is low, and they can also sense when a dishwasher is overloaded. They can detect the amount of grime on the dishes, adjusting water level, soap levels and the amount of time needed for each load. Smart dishwashers allow you to download customizable wash cycles as well, which is great if you have a lot of unique dishes that require gentle washing or air drying.
Invest In Your Appliances So They Last
Dishwashers are seen sometimes as being hardy appliances that can take a bit of a beating. But in reality, they need just as much care and maintenance as any other appliance in your kitchen. By loading your dishwasher properly, cleaning it regularly, and using the appropriate cycle, you’ll be amazed by the results. Not only will you get more consistently clean dishes, your dishwasher will run more smoothly and it will last you longer.
If you’re in the market for a new dishwasher, or you have further questions about dishwasher maintenance, reach out to a trusted appliance retailer. Knowledgeable staff can help you make the best decision for you, and they can answer any questions you have about dishwasher usage or installation.
