Tag Archives: dishwasher tips

Tricks to A Perfectly Functioning Dishwasher

A dishwasher isn’t a necessity, but it really comes in handy. After all, who wants to deal with a massive mound of dishes after preparing and eating a meal? Unfortunately, you can’t enjoy your unit if it functions incorrectly.

Thankfully, you can do several things to ensure that the unit is always in top working condition. These things include:

Keep the filters clean at all times.

You should clean your dishwasher’s filter after each usage. That may seem like a lot of labor, but it’s worth it.

After removing the filter from the machine, just rinse it under running water to loosen any trapped particles, allow it to dry, and then replace it. If you can’t remember to do it after each usage, try once a week.

The beauty of cleaning the filters is that you don’t need to hire a dishwasher repair professional to help you. You can easily do it by yourself.

Always scrape food from the dishes.

To avoid clogging the filter, scrape your plates and remove as much food residue from pans and dishes as possible before adding them to the washing machine. Foods like Weetabix and porridge adhere to dishes if they sit in the dishwasher for an extended period before being run.

Put these plates in the sink to catch the water when you run the faucet. This will assist in soaking up the worst of the breakfast leftovers. Then, just before the cycle begins, place them in the dishwasher.

Some people have the notion that they should pre-wash the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, but you don’t have to. In fact, you usually end up causing more havoc when you pre-wash the dishes.

This is because when you pre-wash the dishes, you remove the adhering surfaces for the soap. As a result, the soap doesn’t clean the dishes as well as it should. The consequence is leaving you with dirty dishes even after running them in the dishwasher.

The right way to do it is to scrape the food from the dishes, and you are good to go. This will remove the food particles that can clog the unit and, at the same time, leave binding spaces for the soap so that it effectively cleans the dishes.

Keep the dishwasher salt topped up at all times.

Experts report that using salt is the key to a long-lasting dishwasher. Salt serves two functions in your machine: first, it softens the water and prevents the buildup of hard water deposits, and second, it helps keep the dishwasher clean by preventing bacteria buildup.

Some dishwashers allow you to tell how hard the water is where you live, but if yours doesn’t, you can find out the exact level by calling your local water board.

If your dishwasher has this feature, it will use the least amount of salt necessary to keep hard water deposits at bay.

A common misconception is that you don’t need to add salt if you live in a soft water area or have a water softener. This is not the case.

You must always add salt to the machine to keep it bacteria-free. If germs are allowed to multiply, your dishwasher’s water flow and wash performance will suffer.

Inhibiting the water flow over time may dramatically diminish the life of your dishwasher. And you don’t want this, do you?

Regularly check spray arms for blockages.

You should also clean the spray arms regularly with a mix of washing up liquid and water (how often depends on how frequently you use your dishwasher).

While you’re at it, look for debris in the jets, such as fruit pips and small food particles. A clever approach is to send water into the intake of each arm – if it flows freely, it is not clogged. If it is, clear it with a toothpick or something similar.

Besides unclogging the spray arms, check them to confirm they aren’t bent. If they are, straighten them. In some cases, you might find them too bent or damaged. In such a case, simply straighten them.

Deep clean the dishwasher

Dishwashers are one of the appliances that many people clean the least. This is because many people have the impression that they are always clean, but this isn’t the case.

According to survey, consumers clean their dishwashers three times per year on average. This is not enough. The best way out is to thoroughly clean your dishwasher every two months by running it empty on the hottest setting.

You should soak a cleaning cloth in hot, soapy water and wipe off the surface of dishwashers with plastic exteriors. Wipe it dry with a clean, dry cloth or a paper towel.

After this, fill a spray bottle with a homemade solution of one part vinegar to three parts water if your dishwasher is stainless steel. Spray it on the exterior of the dishwasher and wipe it clean with a cleaning cloth.

A screen in your dishwasher collects food and other particles. The screen becomes clogged with time, resulting in badly cleaned dishes and increased wear and tear on your dishwasher.

You should remove the filter from the bottom and spray it with hot water from the kitchen sink.

Soak the filter for 10 minutes in warm, soapy water before rinsing with hot water. Use a scrub brush to remove any leftover food particles or residue.

Rinse your filter, then before putting it back in the dishwasher, check the drain for buildup and clean it with a sponge.

Parting shot

These are some things you need to do to ensure that your dishwasher is always in top working condition. Besides these things, also use your dishwasher correctly. As a rule of thumb, never run it when it’s too full, as it will fail to function optimally and reduce lifespan.

For peace of mind that your unit is in good working shape, contact appliance repair Fairfax professionals at least once a year to look at it and fix any issues it might be having.

To Pre-Rinse or Not to Pre-Rinse: Answering The Century Long Question

Some people recommend that you pre-rinse the dishes before you put them in the dishwasher, while others advise against it.

According to dishwasher repair professionals, you shouldn’t pre-rinse the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. This is because pre-rinsing is similar to hand-washing your car before putting it in the car wash. It doesn’t help much, does it?

Rinsing before using the dishwasher wastes hot water and usually does not improve the outcome.

You should note that modern dishwashers employ high temperatures that easily dissolve tough stains, so you have clean dishes even if you don’t pre-rinse them beforehand.

While you don’t need to pre-rinse every dish you put in the dishwasher, you should note that you shouldn’t throw a loaded plate into your dishwasher. This is because too much filth can jam your machine. This will lead to a waste of time, and in some cases, you have to hire a professional to help you clean the unit. 

For example, if you have a pan with burnt-on food residue, soak it beforehand.

Other dishwasher best practices

Besides avoiding pre-rinsing the dishes all the time, there are plenty of other best practices you can adopt to run an excellent dishwashing cycle. These practices include:

Keep the dishwasher clean.

You need to keep your dishwasher clean. Many homes overlook this duty, which is understandable given the function of a dishwasher. Why would it need to be cleaned if it is built to be cleaned?

While this is the case, you should note that cleaning a dishwasher is an important aspect of its maintenance and keep it clean at all times.

Food residue can accumulate in the filter with each cycle, while soap scum and grease can accumulate and foster germs. Even if the immediate dirt is not there, limescale can grow within the pipes, reducing efficiency.

If you do not fix these, your dishwasher’s performance will suffer. Under such conditions, it will begin to stink; in the worst-case scenario, it may necessitate costly repairs.   

There are many stages of dishwasher cleaning that you can undertake. Before cleaning, inspect the filter between cycles to ensure the same food does not contaminate the next load.

You should also give the dishwasher a general clean once a week or every two weeks, which includes rinsing the filter and wiping down the inside door.

Then, once a month, undertake thorough cleaning. This includes washing the attachments and running a general cleanser through the machine, such as white vinegar.

Load the unit properly.

It’s easy to blame your dishwasher for bad performance, but have you ever considered that it could be due to how you load it?

A dishwasher will only clean effectively if it is correctly filled, and in rare situations, it will not clean at all.

Water cannot flow through plates that are touching, for example. If the spray arm becomes clogged, the water will not be distributed effectively hence, the unit won’t clean as well as you would want it to.

Always consult your owner’s manual to determine the best way to fill your dishwasher. Depending on the model, the recommended placement for each object type will differ.

Once you’ve determined this, be careful to fill it without overloading it.

Remember that when things are smashed together, your dishwasher cannot fully access and clean the load. And you don’t want this.

Before starting a cycle, ensure the spray arm can freely revolve beneath the upper basket. You must reorganize the load or raise the upper basket if it is obstructed.

Give the dishwasher time to dry.

Even if your dishwasher is loaded with rinse aid, the drying performance may be inadequate. It’s inconvenient to unload your dishwasher only to find your dishes dripping and coated in puddles.

Thankfully, there are workarounds. After your dishwasher has run, open the door and allow it to air and dry naturally for at least 30 minutes.

Some dishwashers have an auto-open feature that will do this for you. Just ensure it has plenty of time to air before you empty it.

Allowing your dishwasher to air out can also help prevent mold from growing inside.

Some dishwashers additionally include additional drying algorithms to expedite the drying process. Remember that this will cost you extra energy, especially if there is a heating element.

Run hot water

This applies to dishwashers directly connected to hot water valves rather than those that heat the water on their own.

The hotter the water, the better your dishwasher’s cleaning effectiveness. And, if you want this gadget to start up smoothly, running the hot kitchen faucet for a few seconds prior can help.

This allows the water to be heated before your dishwasher uses it. Otherwise, the cycle will not be as hot or efficient as it may be, and performance will suffer.

Remember that the water should be at least 120°F before entering the dishwasher. You can always check this using a meat thermometer.

Take advantage of the heavy-setting

If your dishwasher is having trouble removing stains, you may not be using the proper setting. Eco cycles and dishwasher options are becoming increasingly popular, allowing users to trade a longer cycle for less energy and water consumption.

The issue is that, as with eco settings on washing machines, the performance is necessarily inferior to conventional settings.

As a result, plates and cookware may emerge with dried-on stains that are considerably more difficult to clean.

Before you choose your usual program, think about if it’s appropriate for the items you’re washing. Heavy or intensive cycles may be better if you have baked-on stains on your pots and pans.

The easiest way to eliminate this type of residue is to wash at a higher temperature.

Appliance repair Alexandria recommends using eco mode if you’re washing mild, ordinary stains. Don’t forget about the programs in between — auto can adjust to the stain level, glassware is perfect for fragile things, and a quick wash is ideal if you’re short on time.

8 Mistakes You are Making with Your Dishwasher

A dishwasher is one of the most commonly used kitchen appliances, and it saves you time and effort when dishwashing. 

To keep your dishwasher running smoothly, you must avoid making dishwasher mistakes that households make daily.

The mistakes you should avoid, as given by appliance repair professionals, include: 

You don’t read the instruction manual.

Many people have the impression that every dishwasher is the same. Due to this, they don’t bother reading the manual for their specific model as they think it’s unimportant.

Each dishwasher has a slightly different set of needs and ways of working.

One example is the type of things that each device can handle. When you don’t read the owner’s manual before using the appliance, you won’t know the items you can clean using the unit and those you can’t.

To stay safe, read the instructions before putting the different items in the dishwasher. 

Don’t put anything in the dishwasher if the manufacturer doesn’t say that it can go in.

Failing to run hot water beforehand

You might miss out if you don’t run your hot water tap before using the dishwasher. This might sound strange, but it’s true.

Running hot water before you start to use the dishwasher can ensure that the water going into the dishwasher is already hot, which can help it clean better.

Cold water can leave behind leftover soap and food. To stay safe, turn on the hot water at the sink and let it run for a few minutes.

Failing to leave the door open after a cycle

Just like with a washing machine, you should leave the dishwasher door open after using it so it can dry properly.

This is a great way to avoid mold, especially on the caps.

While this is a great practice, in most cases, many homeowners don’t do it often because they don’t know it’s the right thing to do. Others don’t know that they should do it. 

To stay on the good side, make it a habit to leave the dishwasher door open after running a cycle.

Overusing the eco mode

Eco mode or energy saver mode on your dishwasher can only be good for you and your appliance, right? Well, this is not true. Even if the mode saves energy by running at lower temperatures, setting your dishwasher to only run on eco mode could be a mistake that could hurt you in the long run.

Some people only use the eco or energy saver mode on their dishwashers because they think it would save them money and be better for the environment. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

Running your unit only on eco mode could cause problems because the water might not get hot enough to dissolve all the soap. Soap can build up over time, leading to problems like leaks and damage to the dishwasher.

To prevent this, occasionally use the dishwasher’s highest temperature setting to keep it clean and ensure soap doesn’t build up.

Overloading the dishwasher compartments

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when using their dishwashers is to put too many dishes, pans, glasses, and silverware in them.

Why does this matter so much? If you put too many things in your dishwasher, it won’t clean as well as if you left more room between them. Overloading your dishwasher can make your dishes have a foul smell and less clean.

To avoid this, load your dishwasher correctly, leaving enough space between the dishes so the water and soap can move around properly during the cleaning cycle.

Failing to clean the dishes

Some experts advise that you don’t need to clean your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, but this is controversial.

You should know that your dishwasher isn’t a trash can or a garbage disposal. This means that you shouldn’t allow all the trash to get there. 

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when using the dishwasher is failing to scrap off bigger bits of stuck-on food or sauce, as these leftovers could linger.

Even though dishwashers are made to clean dishes, you should still scrape and rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. If you don’t do this, bits of food will get stuck in your dishwasher and won’t clean your dishes.

This means you’ll have to clean your machine more often in the long run.

You don’t need to pre-rinse your dishes, but you should scrape off any stuck-on food. This way, you have fewer food particles getting into your dishwasher. 

Failing to clean the filter

It’s easy to forget or not even know that the dishwasher has a filter, but it does, and it does a great job of keeping your dishes clean by filtering out dirt and waste.

A dirty filter could be why your dishes come out of the washing with a film on them, and your glasses look cloudy.

Because of this, you need to clean it regularly. How often you clean it will depend on how often you use your machine. Once a week is suitable for some homes, but once a month is good for others.

You should research and find out the best time to do it. It also doesn’t hurt to consult an experienced dishwasher repair Springfield professional.

Failing to clean the dishwasher deep

Even though you should clean the filter often, you should also deep clean the dishwasher every so often.

You can do this by running a dishwasher cleaner or a bowl of white vinegar on the bottom shelf while the dishwasher is empty.

Doing this eliminates the limescale, food, and grime that have built up in your dishwasher.

It will keep your dishwasher from getting smelly, make sure your dishes get clean, and make the machine work better.

For the best outcome, deep clean your appliance at least once a week. You can do the cleaning yourself, but if you don’t have the time or aren’t sure about your skills, let an expert do it.

Tricks to Get the Most from Your Dishwasher

Since dishwashers have been around for a long time, you might think you know everything about them, but this isn’t the case. According to appliance repair professionals, there are plenty of things you can do to your appliance to get the most from them. These things include:

Use the dishwasher to clean more dishes

You need to change how you think about your dishwasher to get more out of it. If you only use it to load dishes, you only use a small part of what it can do.

Your dishwasher can clean many things around the house, like makeup, plastic hair, nail clippers, razors, toothbrush holders, and soap dishes.

You can also use it to clean fake plants, flowers, and plastic toys for kids. With a quick cycle, it’s easy to clean dog leashes, plastic pet toys, and tools from the garage that are dirty or greasy.

The dishwasher can also clean many things in your closet, like baseball caps, flip-flops, and rubber rain boots.

Many things in your kitchen, like sponges and silicone oven mitts, could use a good cleaning. Even the plate from your microwave and the knobs from your stove can go in the dishwasher.

As you clean the various items, remember that whatever you put in the dishwasher will get wet and that whatever you put on the bottom rack will be closer to the heating element.

If you’re worried about fragile items, you can choose to run your dishwasher without soap or heated drying.

If you have small or light things like Legos or pacifiers that could fly away when hit by the water jets, put them in a mesh bag from your laundry room.

Understand the chemical reactions going on inside the dishwasher

Chemical reactions are happening in your dishwasher; if you understand how they work, you can get more out of them.

One reason is that modern detergent is made to react with food. Because of this, you shouldn’t rinse the plates before putting them in the dishwasher. Instead, you should leave the food on the plates.

When you put stainless steel and silver-plated flatware in the same bag, a chemical reaction can happen. Silver ions can leave pits and marks on your silver when they react with detergent and moisture. Even when washing silver by itself, use a detergent, rinse aid that doesn’t contain acid or phosphates, and a low heat setting.

Do you want your dishes to be clean and shiny? You can go with rinse aids, which speed up evaporation by changing the surface tension of water droplets. There are fewer spots and lines on the glass when there is less water.

Plastic takes longer to dry than glass, even with rinse aid, because it repels water. If you want a natural alternative to rinse aid, you might want to know what vinegar can do.

It can help dry dishes better and get rid of hard water spots. You need to pour a little in before you turn on the machine, fill the rinse aid compartment with it, or put a bowl of vinegar on the top rack.

You can also roll some aluminum foil into a ball and put it on the top rack of your dishwasher. It will cause an oxidizing reaction, letting your glasses and silverware dry to a sparkling shine.

Unload the dishes on autopilot.

Dishwashers make it easier to wash dishes, but every time you need to empty them, you have to jump through hoops.

Did you know you can set up your dishwasher to empty itself? The beauty of doing this is that you don’t have to think about it.

Start by emptying the section for flatware, then the bottom shelf, and finally, the top shelf. If you empty the top rack first, drips might fall on the dishes below, which is not good.

Dishwasher repair Alexandria advises that you make room above the dishwasher on the counter. You should spread out a dish towel and then spread the dishes there in piles that go together

With this method, you don’t have to move around your kitchen as much, and any dishes that are still wet can dry.

Signs that Your Dishwasher is Ready For Cleaning

For your dishwasher to continue cleaning your dishes as well as it should, you need to keep it clean. While some homeowners know the right time to clean their appliances, others don’t.

While this is the case, there are several things you can look out for to tell that it’s time to clean your unit. These things, as given by dishwasher repair professionals, include:

1: Your dishes are cloudy and dirty.

It’s annoying to wait for a dishwasher cycle to finish and then find that your dishes are still dirty or have a white, cloudy film. Dishes that are dirty and cloudy can be a sign that you need to clean your dishwasher more or that you need a dishwasher detergent made for hard water.

The residue left on dishes or other items can be a sign that your dishwasher needs cleaning. For peace of mind, check on your dishwasher and clean it at least once a month.

In addition to checking the filter and racks of your dishwasher once a week for buildup, take the racks and filter or screen out and clean them with warm water and dish soap.

While at it, look for a film or rough coating on the inside of the dishwasher, check to see if the holes in the spray arms are clogged. You also should give the arms a push by hand when the machine is off to see if they spin freely.

Sign 2: Your dishwasher smells weird.

If you don’t keep an eye on your dishwasher filter and clean it regularly, it’s easy to get full of food particles and smells that not only smell bad but can also cause bigger, more expensive problems.

To avoid these problems, you should check and clean the filter after each time you use the dishwasher. You also should commit to sanitizing it at least once a week.

You should fill a bowl with white vinegar, put it on the top or bottom rack, and run a standard clean cycle with hot water. When it’s done, use a simple mixture of water, dish soap, and white vinegar to clean the door seals and the inside of the dishwasher.

When you do this, you not only leave your dishwasher smelling fresh, but you also leave it sparkling clean.

Sign 3: Water backs up in your dishwasher or doesn’t drain properly.

If you’ve ever seen a pool of water at the bottom of your dishwasher or water overflowing into your sink, this could be a sign that you need to clear a clog or get a new dishwasher.

If you’ve cleaned out the filter basket and there’s still standing water or your dishwasher drains slowly, it might be time to call in the pros.

Best practices when cleaning the dishwasher

When cleaning the dishwasher, you must observe best practices to clean your unit properly. These practices include:

Don’t use bleach

Even though bleach can clean and disinfect some surfaces well, it is usually not a good idea to use it to clean the dishwasher. This is because bleach can be too harsh for the inside and parts of the dishwasher, and over time, it can cause damage.

Using bleach in the dishwasher can also leave dishes with a strong bleach smell and taste, which is unpleasant and could be dangerous if eaten. If you must use bleach to clean your dishwasher, do so in a well-ventilated area and small amounts.

Don’t use abrasive cleaners.

You might have the impression that using abrasive cleaners will make your unit cleaner, but this isn’t the case. In fact, it has been shown that cleaners and scorching pads often lead to more damage.

A good rule of thumb is to use a soft sponge or cloth, and you are good to go.

Parting shot

There are many safer ways to clean the dishwasher and make it work better. For example, you can get rid of buildup and smells by using a commercial dishwasher cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.

Regular cleaning and maintenance, like wiping down the inside, cleaning the spray arm and filter, and running the dishwasher on a hot cycle with no dishes, can also help prevent buildup and keep the dishwasher working well.

You can clean the dishwasher yourself, but if you have problems, let an experienced appliance repair Alexandria professional help you.

Why Is It Better To Run Dishwasher At Night?

If you are new to dishwashers, you must have learned that you should run them at night, right? And this is true.

Why is it better to run your dishwasher at night? There are plenty of reasons. Here they are as given by dishwasher repair experts:

You save energy

This might come as a shock to you, but it’s true. Since most people aren’t using electricity at night, this time is regarded as off-peak, which means that the electricity consumed at this time attracts lower fees.

This means that when you run your dishwasher at night, you save money compared to running it during the day.

Set your dishwasher to run at the energy-efficient setting or cycle to save even more energy.

You reduce noise pollution.

Most old appliances are noisy, and this includes dishwashers. This means that when you run the appliance during the day when there are people running chores, you are bound to make plenty of noise that can be off-putting to them.

To cut on the noise, consider running the dishwasher when everyone is asleep and can’t hear the noise.

Place the dishwasher away from the bedrooms or behind a closed door to avoid disturbing anyone.

If the dishwasher still makes plenty of noise at night to the extent that some people wake up, consider getting a newer, quieter appliance.

It’s convenient

Let’s be honest. Daytimes are busy, even if you are a stay-at-home dad or mom. This is because you have plenty of chores to run.

Getting the dishes using the dishwasher isn’t a matter of throwing the dishes in and waiting for them to get clean—you need to load them properly and wait until they are thoroughly clean. This means that when you decide to clean them during the day, the task might come in the way of your daily activities.

On the other hand, when you decide to run the dishwasher during the night, you will have been done with your daily activities, which means that you won’t be disrupting anything.

As a result, you are more likely to be involved with the cleaning as you won’t be in a hurry to complete running the dishwasher so that you can run to other activities.

You have enough water to do the cleaning.

Like electricity, water is in high demand during the day. This means that even if you were to run your appliance at this time, you wouldn’t have enough water for optimal cleaning. When you do dishwashing at night, most people will be asleep, meaning there won’t be a high demand for water.

This means you will have all the water you need to clean your dishes properly.

Best practices when running the dishwasher

You need to do several things to get the most from your dishwasher. These things include:

Run the dishwasher at the right settings: Different dishwashers have different settings that vary depending on different models. You should always check your user manual and confirm that you are using the right cycle for the type of dishes you are cleaning.

Always sort the dishes: Before putting them in the dishwasher, always sort them out and place them in different compartments where they will be properly cleaned. This means the plates and cups shouldn’t sit in the same compartment.

Scrape the food off the dishes: To give your appliance an easy time to do cleaning, always scrape the food from the dishes before you put them in the dishwasher. Some people will advise you to clean the dishes, but this isn’t wise as it removes the surface where the detergents are meant to adhere. Scrape the excess food, and you are good to go.

Load the dishes properly: As mentioned above, you need to sort your dishes to achieve ideal results. Sorting isn’t enough—you also need to load the dishes properly. This calls for you to place the glasses on the top rack and the pots and pans on the bottom rack.

Parting shot

These are some of the reasons you should run your dishwasher at night. To keep your appliance in top working condition, have it checked by a qualified appliance repair Springfield professional at least once a year.

Tips to Getting The Best Results From Your Dishwasher?

If you have a dishwasher, you want to get the most from it, right? Are you asking, how do I get the best results from my dishwasher? There are plenty of ways to go about it, with the common ones as given by dishwasher repair professionals being:

Use hot water

To have an easy time cleaning the dishes, use hot water as it has been shown to clean better. It’s always wise to check the hot water temperature at the kitchen faucet using a candy or meat thermometer. For best results, the temperature should be 120 degrees.

If the water is colder than this, adjust the settings on your water heater.

To ensure you have hot water throughout the dishwasher, run hot water in the kitchen sink before you start your dishwasher. This way, you ensure that, the tub fills with all hot water, which ensures that you thoroughly clean your dishes.

Scrape the food off the dishes

You might have heard that you should remove as much food from the dishes as possible to give your dishwasher an easy time. Removing some of the food from the dishes before washing them is wise, but you should avoid overdoing it.

As a rule of thumb, don’t rinse the dishes as you will not only be wasting water, but also worsening the detergent’s performance.

The right way to go about it is to scrape the large food particles from the dishes and then put the dishes in the dishwasher.

Run a balanced load

You should run a balanced load to prevent your dishwasher from making noises as it’s working. This calls for you to ensure that your dishes are balanced in all areas.

To ensure this happens, follow the recommendations given by your manufacturer on the proper loading of the dishwasher. As a rule of thumb, don’t crowd or overload the dishwasher, as you not only risk your appliance not running smoothly, but also risk blocking the spray arm and preventing the water from reaching all the surfaces.

Use the right cleaning cycle.

Most modern dishwashers come with different cycle settings meant to clean different dishes. These cycles include: regular cycle for normal cleaning, the heavy-duty cycle for deep cleaning, and the light cycle for china and fragile items.

You should use the right cycle to get the most from your dishwasher. If you aren’t sure about the right cycle for your dishes, consult the owner’s manual or an experienced professional.

Go easy on the soap

Using a lot of soap will get you cleaner dishes, right? Well, no. As much as you would want spotless dishes, using too much soap than necessary doesn’t give you the best results.

Besides still having soap on your dishes after running a cycle, using too much soap can ruin your dishwasher.

When choosing a washing cycle, refer to the instruction manual for directions on the best soap to clean the dishes and the right amounts to use.

Keep your machine clean.

Since your washing machine is responsible for cleaning, you don’t need to clean it, right? Well, no. Like other appliances, you need to clean your washing machine.

By doing so, you not only always have clean dishes, but also have a properly functioning dishwasher that is beautiful to look at.

To clean your dishwasher, run the appliance on a normal cycle using two cups of white vinegar. As a rule of thumb, don’t use a detergent to do the cleaning. This way, you remove any materials in the appliance and eliminate awful smells.

If you want to go the extra mile, wipe down the interior walls and racks of the appliance with a solution of vinegar and baking soda. Remember to rinse the surfaces properly after going over them.

Regularly inspect the dishwasher.

The same way you should regularly clean the dishwasher is the same way you should regularly inspect it and fix any issues it might be having. You can do the inspection yourself or hire a commercial appliance repair Springfield professional to help.

When hiring professionals, ensure they are experienced and know what they are doing. Don’t hire a novice that will be a liability to have.

How Not To Load A Dishwasher—A Detailed Guide

There are plenty of guides on proper loading of the dishwasher, so it might be a bit cliché writing another one. This is the reason we have put together this detailed guide on how not to load a dishwasher.

Pre-rinse the dishes

You must have heard that to keep your dishwasher functioning optimally and keep away appliance repair professionals, you need to clear as many food particles from the dishes as possible.

While it’s true that removing most of the food particles will make the work easy for your dishwasher, you shouldn’t pre-rinse the dishes. This is because you will be wasting water and energy.

The dishwashing detergents are designed to cling to the food particles and separate them from the surfaces. This means that when you remove all the food from the dishes, there will be no place for the detergents to adhere to hence you might not get the clean dishes you are looking for.

The right thing to do is scrape off the large food particles instead of rinsing them.

You should only consider pre-rinsing the dishes if you aren’t planning to clean them immediately—you want to keep the dishes in the dishwasher until you have a full load.

By rinsing the dishes you prevent foul smells from emanating after the dishes have stayed in the dishwasher for a couple of days.

Load the pates in the top rack

The top rack looks great, and this is where you should put the plates, right? Wrong.

Dishes are meant to go to the bottom rack. This is why there are tines intended to hold the plates in place to maximize the number that fit and make sure that the hot water passes through for proper cleaning.

You can get away with having a plate or two on the top rack, but when you cram several of them there, you interfere with how other items fit and get cleaned.

Place glassware over the tines

The cups and glasses indeed belong on the top rack, but you shouldn’t place them over the tines. Instead, place them between the tines to prevent cracks and chips from occurring when they bump or rattle against each other during a cycle.

Place the dishwasher pieces facing the same direction

You should have all the dishwasher pieces facing one direction to maintain uniformity and have an easy time, right? Again, wrong.

For proper dish cleaning, you should place the dishes in opposite directions. This means that the dishes on the rear should face forward, and the ones in the front face towards the back.

The same thing applies to the spoons and forks—place them in varying positions in the utensil tray.

By doing this, you allow water to reach all the dishes and at the same time prevent the forks and spoons from nesting into each other.

For the best outcome, load the dishes so that they all face the center of the bottom rack.

Place the platters at the front.

Cutting boards, large platters, and casserole dishes belong at the back or sides of the bottom rack. This is not only to give you room to pack other dishes, but placing them in the front increases the chances of blocking the soap dispenser and preventing detergents from reaching the rest of the load.

Overfill the dishwasher

You might have the impression that when you put all the dirty dishes in one cycle, you save water and energy, but this isn’t the case.

Like the washing machine or refrigerator, cramming your dishwasher full makes it run inefficiently. The water and soap also don’t circulate freely; hence the dishes don’t get as clean as they should.

To be on the safe side, you should only stock what is required—don’t load your dishwasher more than it can carry.

Load even non-dishwasher safe items

I know it’s easy to throw all the dirty dishes and cutlery into the dishwasher and forget about it, but you shouldn’t do it as you will be damaging them.

According to dishwasher repair Northern VA professionals, when you throw plastic containers in the dishwasher, the hot water can melt or even warp that plastic. There is also the risk of cracking wooden spoons and gold flatware discoloring.

To protect your dishes, always confirm whether dishwasher safe before putting them in.

How Do You Fit More In A Dishwasher?

Imagine this. You have a large load of dishes, and you don’t want to do it in two cycles. How do you fit more in a dishwasher? Are you asking this? You are in luck as there are plenty of tricks you can use to maximize the dishwasher space without overcrowding and breaking the dishwasher, and you have to hire an appliance repair professional to fix it.

Some of these tricks include:

Take out the forks, spoons, and knives

It’s recommended you clean the silverware from the bottom rack, and you can do it if you don’t have a lot of dishes to clean. But, if you have a large load like in our case, you don’t have this luxury, so you should free up space by removing the forks and knives from the bottom rack.

Luckily, the silverware is easy to clean. Put them in a sink full of warm, soapy water, and you are done in minutes.

Cleaning the bowls, salad spinners, pot liners, and other bulky items isn’t as easy, is it? So, you should let the bulkier, difficult to clean items take the space of the easier to clean items.

Hold the small items in a mesh bag.

Does your load have plenty of water bottle tops, lids, and other small items that won’t have a place in the dishwasher? You shouldn’t leave them out of the cycle. Throw them in a mesh laundry bag, then lay the bag on top of the items on the top rack and let the dishwasher do its work.

The bag keeps the small items from falling through the cracks and ensures that the dishwasher functions to its best.

Load glasses between the tines

This tip has been around for a long time, and it’s not only the best way to load your dishwasher, but also a great way to ensure that your dishwasher carries as many items as possible.

When loading the dishwasher, place glasses between the tines, and not on top of them.

By doing this, you will have a highly functioning dishwasher and get cleaner glasses and, at the same time, prevent the glasses from breaking.

Squeeze flat items around the dishwasher perimeter

Have you stocked the dishwasher to the brim, and it seems like it can’t take anymore? Not so fast. Is the perimeter full?

If it’s not, this is one of the best places to squeeze in flat items such as plastic cutting boards, sheet pans, and cooling racks.

When you put them here, you leave enough space for the bulkier items, and at the same time, you ensure they are in the spray arm’s line, so they are clean by the time you are removing them.

Place some top rack items in the bottom racks.

If you have been reading how to properly load your dishwasher, you know that each item has its place. Some items belong in the top rack and others in the bottom rack.

Most people begin with loading their top racks, so by the time they get to the bottom rack, they have fewer items.

If you find yourself in a situation where you have a few top rack items, and you have a few spaces in the bottom racks, you should go ahead and place them there. Some of the best items to put here are the mugs and cream bowls.

Since these items aren’t supposed to be cleaned here, give the racks a shake test before running the cycle.

Other valuable dishwasher loading tips

To get the most from the dishwasher, you need to load it properly. Some of the valuable dishwasher loading tips you should consider include:

Load the plates so that they face the center: The purpose of this is to ensure that they are in the spray arm’s line. Spray arms work from the middle out, so by placing the items such that they face the center, you ensure that they get the proper spray treatment they deserve.

Use a wire dish rack: Are you cleaning items that are too big for the mesh laundry bag and small that they won’t flip around during a cycle? Dishwasher repair Springfield recommend using a wire dish rack. Turn the rack upside down and use it to anchor your items down.

Is It Worth Fixing A Dishwasher When It Breaks Down?

With so many cheaper and efficient dishwashers in the market, it’s normal to ask yourself, is it worth fixing a dishwasher when it breaks down?

The answer to this question isn’t a yes or a no, but more of a decision-making answer. To decide whether to fix or replace the appliance, you need to consider several things such as:

The amount charged by the service provider

When your appliance breaks down, you hire a dishwasher repair professional to fix it. Different professionals charge different rates depending on their experience, location, and nature of the problem.

To decide whether to fix the appliance, compare the contractor’s fee and the cost of a new appliance. Of course, you shouldn’t pay for a repair when the fees are higher than the cost of a new appliance.

The appliance repair market is full of unscrupulous contractors, so be cautious when comparing prices.

Don’t approach one contractor and think that is the amount charged by all contractors. Get quotes from 3 to 5 contractors from different locations, then compare them.

Avoid uptown based companies as they charge higher fees. The high fees aren’t because the contractors provide the best services, rather because they pay higher rents there.

If you do your comparison and find that the average price is higher or close to the price of a new appliance, simply get a new unit.

On the flip side, if you find the repair price lower than the machine’s price, fix the dishwasher. For best results, work with an experienced technician that understands what they are doing.

Age of the appliance

How long has the appliance been around? If your appliance is 8, 9, or 10 years, don’t bother fixing it—simply replace it.

The reason for this is because most of the modern appliances are designed to last for only 10 years. This means the closer your appliance is to 10 years, the better it is to replace it.

The problem the appliance has

Minor dishwasher problems are easy and cheap to fix, so it makes sense to fix your appliance if it has a minor problem. If your appliance is missing a seal, pressure switch, latch, drain pump, fill valve, or any other easy-to-find part, simply fix it.

On the other hand, if the appliance has a serious problem such as a malfunctioning motor or circulation pump, it’s more economical to replace the dishwasher as the cost of a new part and installing it will be much higher than the cost of a new dishwasher.

Warranty

If you have had your dishwasher for 1-2 years, you most likely have a warranty. This means when the appliance breaks down, you simply take it to a factory-authorized shop and have it fixed at no cost to you.

Due to this, it’s better to have the dishwasher fixed regardless of the problem’s nature. After all, the cost isn’t transferred to you.

If you never bothered with the warranty at the time of purchase or your appliance is old, you aren’t covered by the warranty, so you have to shoulder all the costs.

If the problem is minor, you can get money from your pocket and pay for it, but you are better off replacing the unit if the issue is complex.

Buying a new dishwasher

If you don’t have a warranty, your dishwasher is old, and/or the appliance has a complex problem, you shouldn’t bother with fixing it. Instead, buy a new one.

When buying a new appliance, take your time and ensure you buy the right one. One of the things to look at when buying is the efficiency rating of the unit.

Of course, you want a highly energy-efficient dishwasher that will consume little energy and function efficiently for a long time.

The price is another factor to consider. While expensive dishwashers function better and last for a long time, avoid the luxurious ones as they have too many features that you probably won’t need.

Go for moderately priced units within your budget.

After buying the appliance, take good care of it, so it lasts for a long time, and avoid hiring appliance repair Northern VA professionals now and then.