Simple Care For Your Dishwasher
Rona Regan
Simple Care For Your Dishwasher
Fortunately, the majority of dishwasher hitches are avoidable with correct usage and proper maintenance.
The modern life conveniences in our homes today make life easy and save us a lot of time and labor. The dishwasher is among the precious appliances that make kitchen chores very easy. Additionally, it uses less water and less water heater energy as compared to washing dishes by hands.
However, you will notice that your dishwasher loses its cleaning efficiency or start to develop an odor over time. Your personal efficiency can also reduce when your dishwasher goes on a fritz or fails to deliver performance as it used to. Fortunately, the majority of dishwasher hitches are avoidable with correct usage and proper maintenance. Therefore it is crucial to care for your dishwasher and keep it in good running condition.
Here are some simple care tips that will ensure your dishwasher performs efficiently.
1) Scrape Food Off Before Loading
Dishwashers do not need you to rinse the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. However, they require that you scrap the food off using a rubber food scrapper. Removing the big chunks from the dishes prevents clogs once the cycle is over, increases efficiency and increases the service life of your dishwasher.
2) Avoid Overcrowding
Do not be tempted to layer in one more plate or bowl to avoid hand washing. Overcrowding the dishwasher can reduce its efficiency, and you may end up with less that clean dishes. Always remember that cookie sheets, big bowls, and other large items frequently block the spray of water from the arms hence preventing the flow of water from properly cleaning other items.
3) Clean Filters or Screens
Every dishwasher brand and model has a filter or screen designed to trap food waste. Remove the filter or screen, soak it in hot water, dish soap it, scrub it gently and rinse it to remove food residue. This prevents clogs and food wastes that have been trapped in the screen or filter from getting back on your dishes.
4) Ensure to Level Your Dishwasher
The appliance needs to be even on the ground to run efficiently and prevent leaks. Place a bubble level in the dishwasher to check that your dishwasher is level. If the washer isn’t level, adjust the legs or add a wedge to ensure it is properly leveled.
5) Clean the Sprayer Arm
The sprayer arm in the dishwasher sprays streams of hot water to the dishes, giving them a thorough cleaning. Over time, food deposits and other debris can clog the sprayer arm. It is important to occasionally clean these holes to enable the washer clean dishes more efficiently.
When cleaning the sprayer, remove it and soak it in warm vinegar for some hours to loosen the clog. Clean the sprayer with warm water and detergent and then wipe it down with a damp towel. It is however recommended to refer to the manufacturer’s manual for detailed instruction on how to remove and clean the sprayer.
6) Clean the Seals and Door
Washers have seals around the door rim to prevent the appliance from leaking while operating. Over time, food gets stuck on the door rims and can cause the seals to deteriorate, making the dishwasher leak. Regularly wipe down the door and rubber seals with a damp cloth, to avoid buildup of grime.
7) Do Not Use Hard Water
Do glasses and silverware emerge from your washer spotted and cloudy? Or do you notice whitish crust on your washer’s heating component? If yes, the problem could be as a result of using hard water. Hard water has a high level of magnesium, calcium and other minerals. These amounts of minerals can lead to rust, causing poor performance or even failure of some expensive parts like heating components and pumps.
If you use hard water, you may need to install a water softener to help your dishwasher work at its best.
8) Fight Mold and Mildew
It is normal for mold and mildew to develop in a dishwasher. Fortunately, it is easy to get rid of this problem. Run an empty wash cycle with two cups of apple cider or white vinegar or use liquid chlorine bleach. Run another empty cycle to ensure the bleach or vinegar is completely rinsed out of the dishwasher.
Observing these simple tips can make your dishwasher more efficient and prolong its service life. In case you encounter a serious problem, be sure to get help from your local plumbing experts.
Charlie Teschner started MESA Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in 1982. Charlie has a journeyman and master plumber’s license. He was raised with a strong work ethic and he now applies those values to tasks such as Longmont, CO heating repair.