Your dishwasher does a lot for you every day and if it broke down, you’d be stuck doing the dishes by hand until a repair person could come out and take a look at the problem. So, instead of waiting for an issue like that to happen, taking quality care of your dishwashing appliance is essential and should be a part of your monthly to-do list.
Whether you have an old dishwasher that has seen better days or a new one with all the high-tech features you could ask for, it’s a good idea to follow a few of these dishwasher maintenance tips to make sure your appliance continues to work hard for you for as long as possible. We know it’s an odd concept—cleaning something that was made to clean—but just like towels need to be washed and bath tubs need to be scrubbed, your dishwasher also needs a good hygienic makeover from time to time. Give your dishwasher the proper T.L.C. it deserves so that it stays in tip-top condition for years to come.
1. Check the Filter
At the bottom of every dishwasher is a filter that has the ability to catch food waste, bacteria, and other leftover debris while the dishwasher spray arm thoroughly fights grime and washes away all the mess. Over time, this buildup of gunk can lead to a clogged filter, which can negatively affect the way your dishwasher cycles clean and could potentially even cause some plumbing issues. In fact, if you never wipe out your dishwasher’s filter, there may be some unavoidable flooding in your kitchen as well as smelly stagnant water sitting at the bottom of your dishwasher because it’s unable to drain due to the clog.
We recommend figuring out how to clean the dishwasher filter at least once every other month to ensure there are no congested drains that will hurt your dishwasher or stagnant water stinking up your cooking space. If you aren’t sure how to do that, contact us and one of our skilled experts will gladly tell you how to remove and clean the filter depending on the specific brand and model of dishwasher you have.
2. Remove Hard Water Deposits in Dishwasher
If you deal with hard water deposits in your dishwasher, then we have just the solution to help you to get rid of them. The way to do so is simple and requires basically one step: pouring a cup of white vinegar in your empty dishwasher and running the hottest cycle possible. This Whirlpool dishwasher with High Temperature Wash Option, is perfect for thoroughly sanitizing the interior while also being sure to remove hard water deposits in your dishwasher.
If you’re interested in preventing hard water deposits from occurring in your dishwasher, we suggest exploring our catalog for water softeners to help remove calcium and magnesium altogether from your water supply.
3. Load the Dishwasher Properly
Can you overload a dishwasher? Absolutely! And when you put too many pots, pans, and dishes inside the dishwasher, it can have trouble running efficiently. It’s true that a full dishwasher is more energy-efficient than a less-packed one, but just make sure to give your dishes the appropriate space so that water doesn’t get stuck in Tupperware containers or your favorite mugs and you have to end up re-washing half the load again anyway. You’ll waste less water and energy overall if you fill it up the right way – just don’t overfill it!
4. Wash Only Appropriate Items
There are appropriate things to put in your dishwasher and then there are things you may think are appropriate but will actually hurt your dishwasher. China and crystal, for example, are generally very delicate materials that are known for chipping easily, especially in a powerful wash cycle. If they did happen to break off during a cycle, those shards – tiny or large – could easily damage the interior of the dishwasher and even the filter. By making sure only the appropriate dishware goes inside your dishwasher, you’re preventing any harm from happening to your appliance.
Dishwashers are hardy appliances that are meant to last anywhere from seven to twelve years. Unfortunately, if they are not maintained well or cleaned often, their lifespan can be cut even shorter than predicted. We hope these dishwasher maintenance tips can help you extend the life of your appliance so that you can enjoy yours for as long as possible.
Of course, if your current dishwasher isn’t doing so well anymore or you’re just ready for a new one, give us a call and we’ll help you find one that’s right fit for you. And if you have any other questions regarding how to get the best life out of your dishwasher, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our experts today at Spencer’s TV and Appliance.