Tag Archives: cleaning the dishwasher

Dishwasher Mistakes You Should Avoid Making

Your dishwasher has one job: to turn a messy kitchen full of plates, bowls, cups, and utensils into a rack full of gleaming clean dishes. ​

More than half of the households in the United States with dishwashers use the equipment at least once a week, and there’s a strong probability that most are making some frequent blunders. ​ ​

To have an easy time with your appliance and ensure that it lasts for a long time, you need to avoid these frequent dishwasher blunders.

Avoiding the mistakes will also keep a dishwasher repair professional away, clean your dishes, and extend your appliance’s life. ​​

Failing to read the labels

Many people using their dishwasher for the first time have the impression that they can put anything inside. This is wrong as the dishwasher might end up harming your dishes instead of cleaning them. 

The drying cycle’s heat may harm wood utensils like cutting boards, making them crack or warp. The dishwasher will dull sharp knives and blades for food processors and other kitchen units. ​

Before using the dishwasher, ensure the item you put inside is safe. 

You should be cautious against putting stemware or other delicate glass in the dishwasher. The reason for this is that not only are the glasses at risk of breaking, but the broken glass can cause havoc on the equipment. ​A shard of glass could get caught in the pump and cause damage.

If any of the units you are looking to clean aren’t dishwasher safe, handwash them. 

Pre-rinsing the dishes

Avoid running a scrub brush across your plates before loading them into the dishwasher. Although 75% of homeowners admit to pre-rinsing their dishes, the habit can backfire, especially when you overdo it. ​

The soap you use needs to bind to little food bits and sauces. Food particles almost act as an abrasive to assist the soap in knocking loose [foods] that are a little more baked on. ​

Prerinsing eliminates food pieces, which might cause detergent to bond to the porous surfaces of the dishes instead, leaving a film on your plates. ​ ​

Skipping the rinse saves more than just time. Rinsing the dishes before filling the dishwasher uses up to 20 gallons of water — before you even turn on the machine. 

Even if the food is caked on, using the dishwasher’s rinse feature consumes significantly less water than rinsing the dishes under the faucet to soften and remove extra food. ​ ​

Instead of pre-rinsing the dishes, scrape off the extra food particles. 

Improper loading

How you load your dishwasher affects how it works and interferes with cleaning.

For the best outcome, you need to load your appliance properly. 

Put silverware in flatware baskets or racks; spoons and forks with the handles facing down. You should load the knives with the handles facing up to avoid blade injuries.

Plates and bowls belong on the bottom rack, while glasses and mugs go on top. Load your glasses between the tines of the rack, not on top of them. ​​

Putting the glasses over the tines can cause spotting or stress on the glass, and you could end up with broken glasses. ​ ​Spatulas, serving spoons, and other large utensils are best when hand-washed rather than placed on the top rack. ​

Water pressure will move the food items, and they can block the spray arm if they fall. And if something gets in the way, you’ll only be washing a handful of dishes for the duration of the cycle.

Putting detergent in the wrong place

Dishwasher detergent, powder or liquid, is placed in the dispenser, but there is considerable controversy about where to place detergent pods. ​

Many people think they should put the detergent pods into the bottom of the dishwasher rather than in the dispenser. This is wrong. 

The reason for this is that dishwashers have separate rinse and wash cycles. When you put the detergent pod in the bottom of the dishwasher, the soap is flushed down the drain before the wash cycle begins.

The best way to go about it is to check when the manufacturer recommends it. 

Overloading the dishwasher

Don’t approach your dishwasher like a Tetris game, stacking and balancing as many dishes as you can on the racks. This is because you often need more time to overload the machine. ​

Whenever you overload a dishwasher, you’ll first notice that your dishes will have a lot of soap scum or haze. 

This is because having too many dishes prevents them from receiving enough water flow to rinse them thoroughly.

To avoid overloading your appliance, consult the user handbook for your dishwasher. Dishwashers vary in capacity and layout, so it’s critical to understand what your unique model can handle.

When loading the dishwasher, use the dishwasher’s racks and compartments to distribute the dishes evenly. 

Place plates, pots, and pans on the bottom rack, while glasses, cups, and other smaller objects are on the top rack. Ensure that the sprayer arms on the dishwasher can freely revolve.

Ignoring the manual

There’s no disputing that information on dishwasher parts and features, as well as the filtration system, isn’t fascinating to read, but scanning the handbook — or at the very least keeping it available — is important. ​​

It’s an amazing resource for troubleshooting information, detergent and rinse agent recommendations, and phone numbers for service or advice. 

Have you already discarded the manual? You can get the manual online by entering the manufacturer’s name and model number. ​​

Find the manual and always use it whenever you doubt how to use the machine or fix an issue properly. 

Ignoring the filter

Most homeowners are unaware that their dishwasher has a filter, but it’s there. It’s under the dishwasher’s bottom rack and needs some cleaning. ​

Check the appliance manual for cleaning guidelines for your dishwasher filter. Then, take it out, rinse it with water, and clean it with a wire brush to remove any calcification before returning it. ​

It only takes a few seconds and will make your dishes cleaner. ​ 

Ignoring problems

Even the best-maintained appliances break down. Many homeowners ignore minor issues, which is wrong. This is because the minor issues worsen to the extent that the appliance stops working. 

To avoid this, you should keep your eyes out for the issues, even the smallest ones. If you don’t have the repair skills, get in touch with experienced appliance repair Alexandria professionals. 

Parting shot​

Reading the handbook, reconsidering how you load the dishwasher, where you put the detergent, and how you manage maintenance can improve the appearance of your dishes while also extending the life of your device. ​

Avoid the above mistakes, and you will be on your way to an optimal functioning appliance. 

Guide to Servicing Your Dishwasher

It’s recommended that you hire an appliance repair professional to service your appliance, as it gives you peace of mind that they are doing the right job and will leave your appliance in tip-top shape. 

While this is the case, sometimes you don’t have the money to hire the service provider. In other cases, you don’t have time to wait for the service provider to arrive and need to service the unit. 

In such an instance, you don’t have any other way out than to service the appliance yourself. To help you out, here is how to go about it. 

Remove the filters, spray arms and racks.

Because the filters and spray arms are likely clogged, you should soak them with the racks in a mixture of warm water and distilled vinegar for at least one hour. Of course, you can soak them for longer if you want to and have time for it.  

After soaking them, wash them with a brush to ensure nothing is left behind. You can use a toothpick to clean the tiny pores in the spray arm and filter. This takes time, but it makes all the difference. Once you are done, use hot water to rinse them inside and out. 

Filters and spray arms typically clip off, but if you don’t know how to remove yours, examine the handbook. Look for dirt, food particles, or mineral deposits in the filters. Scrub away the accumulated debris with a soft-bristled brush, such as an old toothbrush. To remove any leftover residue, rinse the filters with warm water.

Put your toothbrush to work.

Using a toothbrush takes time, but it is well worth it. You should use an old toothbrush and dip it in equal parts baking soda and vinegar before going over all the nooks inside to ensure no food particles remain. 

Cleaning with vinegar and baking soda produces a strong solution that dissolves dirt fast.

Using the toothbrush, you should clean the gasket and door edges. Regularly clean the rubber gasket surrounding the dishwasher door and edges to avoid mold and debris buildup. 

You should scrub the gasket gently with the toothbrush to remove any debris or residue, then once you are done, rinse it. 

Remove debris or obstructions from the dishwasher drain using a small brush or toothbrush. To avoid water backup or drainage concerns, clear the drain.

Run a cleaning cycle.

Some dishwashers have a cleaning cycle. According to the manufacturer’s directions, you should run a cleaning cycle using a dishwasher cleaner or a vinegar and baking soda mixture. This cycle helps remove built-up residue and keeps the dishwasher clean.

When the cleaning cycle is complete, and the dishwasher has cooled, open the door and inspect the interior. Wipe any residual residue or buildup inside the dishwasher using a gentle cloth or sponge. Pay close attention to the corners, fissures, and door edges and ensure they are pristine. 

Rinse the appliance with vinegar.

To ensure the dishwasher is completely disinfected and all particles have been thoroughly removed, rinse it with vinegar.

You need to replace the filters, spray arm, and racks, then place a dishwasher-safe bowl of white vinegar at the bottom and run it on the hottest and longest cycle. 

You should always use white vinegar for this. The reason is that white vinegar has low acidity, so that it won’t ruin your appliance. Avoid other vinegars, such as apple cider vinegar, as they might cause some harm. 

The vinegar will dissolve any remaining food particles you may have missed when cleaning your appliance. This practice works like magic when it comes to descaling the dishwasher.

While vinegar is an efficient descaling agent, you should avoid using it on all dishwasher components. Use vinegar sparingly on any rubber or sensitive parts, such as the gasket or seals, as it may cause harm. You can see specific directions and recommendations in the dishwasher’s owner’s manual.

If you have highly tenacious limescale or mineral deposits or reside in a hard water location, you may need to repeat the vinegar descaling process or consider using a commercial dishwasher descaler as directed by the manufacturer.

Deodorize the appliance with baking soda.

Although the preceding step may have cleaned the appliance sufficiently, you can go further and sprinkle a cup of baking soda at the bottom of the dishwasher before running it on the longest and hottest cycle. This eliminates any remaining stains and deodorizes the machine.

How you go about it is that you close the dishwasher door after pouring the baking soda and leave it there for hours or overnight. Baking soda will absorb the scents as a result of this.

After the baking soda has had time to sit, wipe off the interior, including the door, walls, and racks, using a damp cloth or sponge. This aids in the removal of any residual baking soda and absorbed odors.

Finally, run a rinse cycle in the dishwasher without any dishes or detergent to guarantee that all baking soda residue is gone. This will assist in draining out any leftover baking soda, leaving your dishwasher clean and odor-free.

Using baking soda regularly can help prevent odors from accumulating in your dishwasher. If you continue to smell strong or persistent scents, it could be a symptom of a larger problem, such as a clogged drain or a problem with the dishwasher’s plumbing. 

In such instances, reviewing the manufacturer’s manual or seeking assistance from a professional dishwasher repair Springfield technician is essential.

When seeking the services of a technician, ensure that they are experienced and know what they are doing. You don’t want someone that ends up causing more problems than were originally there. 

Finish the job

Once you are done, you should return everything where it was before, and if the outside of the appliance is dirty, get rid of the dirt using a clean piece of cloth. 

What Can Damage A Dishwasher?

Are you wondering what can damage a dishwasher? There are plenty of things that can do it. Some of these things as given by dishwasher repair professionals include:

Placing dirty dishes and plates in the dishwasher

The dishwasher is meant to clean the dishes, so you should put the dirty dishes here, right? While this is true, placing excessively dirty dishes here can clog the drain lines, pump assembly, and spray arms.

This provides a breeding ground for bacteria and prevents the dishes from getting cleaned properly.

To avoid this, make it a habit to scrape all the food off the plates and dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.

Some people say that you should rinse the dishes. No, you don’t have to. Scrape them off is enough as it leaves some residues on them that make the detergent work better.

Abusing the door

It’s fun to play with the dishwasher door at the end of a cycle and watch as the steam comes billowing out, but you shouldn’t as this weakens it.

You also should stop your kids and pets from playing with it.

You should only open the door when placing the plates inside and removing them. If you notice any issue with the door, get in touch with a professional and have it fixed as soon as possible.

Overloading the dishwasher

The other thing that will significantly damage your machine is overloading it. As much as you want to save some money by running a cycle with as many dishes as possible, overfilling the machine isn’t the way to go.

This is because it often leads to damage to the machine. The dishes also don’t clean as well as they should, and you might be forced to rinse them twice, which doesn’t save you time or money.

Overloading the machine also increases the chances of it leaking as the water inside the machine is diverted from the bottom of the tank and splashes out, under the door.

To avoid the dangers of overloading the machine, place just enough plates inside the dishwasher. Once full, close the door and run the cycle.

Using too much or wrong detergent

Did you know using too much detergent can damage your dishwasher? Using the wrong detergent builds up residue in the wash and rain pumps, clogging the appliance and creating a breeding ground for bacteria and other organisms.

To be on the safe side, be cautious about the detergent you use.

As a rule of thumb, use detergents specifically designed for your dishwasher. This means that handwashing dish detergent and other soaps shouldn’t find their way into your dishwasher.

When choosing the detergents, always go for powders instead of gels. This is because gels contain chlorine bleach known to dissolve gaskets and seals.

Gels don’t work well in hard water and clog the detergent dispenser, which can impede the appliance’s cleaning performance.

Even though you intend to clean the dishes, you shouldn’t use just any detergent—use a quality detergent that will give you excellent results. As a rule of thumb, avoid cheap, and no-name powders as chances are high they contain inferior cleansers that don’t clean the dishes as well as they should, and you are forced to run several cycles, which you can guess, leads to wastage of resources.

Other cheap cleaners contain sand, so they don’t offer any cleaning benefits.

To be safe, take time to research and find good quality cleaning products that will effectively clean your dishes and prevent the dishwasher from clogging up.

Hard water

Hard water causes the dishes to break and builds up mineral layers on the inside of the dishwasher and its pipes.

To prevent your dishwasher from getting damaged by hard water, soften the water using water filters, water softeners, water softening units, and conditioners.

Power surges

Rapid power fluctuations will also damage your dishwasher and other electrical items and appliances. To protect your appliances, get a surge protector.

Appliance repair Northern VA recommend that you go all the way out and invest in whole house surge protection that will protect your dishwasher and other appliances in the house.