Tag Archives: dishwashers

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. 

Tricks To Getting the Most From Your Dishwasher

The dishwasher is one of the hardest-working appliances in the kitchen. You need to do several things to get the most out of the appliance. These things, as given by dishwasher repair professionals, include: 

Use aluminum foil to make your silverware shine.

This may be the easiest tip for a dishwasher: Before running the dishwasher, crumple up a ball of aluminum foil and put it in the silverware caddy. 

This trick works because the baking soda-like parts of the dishwashing detergent react with the aluminum foil in a scientific way called oxidation. Together, the steps remove rust from your dishes, leaving you with sparkling kitchenware. 

The method is also a brilliant way to get more use out of a piece of foil that isn’t too dirty before you throw it away.

Regularly maintain your dishwasher.

Like a car, you must regularly maintain your dishwasher to keep it in top shape. And the good thing is that you don’t need to be fancy about it. 

 Turn on the hot water tap at the sink before you run the dishwasher. After each use, clean the filter. While at it, wipe down the seals with a damp towel. Don’t forget to clean the spray arm, and once a week, clean the dishwasher with vinegar.

It’s also wise to hire a dishwasher expert at least once a year to inspect the appliance and fix any issues it might be having. Please note that your appliance doesn’t have to be damaged to hire a contractor—hire them even if your unit is in perfect shape. 

Don’t do these things.

You can get the most out of your dishwasher by doing a few things to keep it in good shape and remembering a few things you shouldn’t do. 

If you hear your unit shaking, don’t turn it on. Some homeowners ignore the minor issues that develop with their appliances, which is wrong as the small problems worsen over time. 

When you experience even a small problem, such as the appliance shaking, turn off the appliance and ask an expert to look into it before you can start using it. 

Other things you shouldn’t do include: 

  • Don’t get in the way of the sprayer. 
  • Refrain from pre-washing your dishes. Scrape the extra food from the dishes, but don’t pre-wash them. 
  • Don’t put glasses on top of the tines. 
  • Don’t place plastic items on the bottom rack.

Clean your dishwasher often.

Since your dishwasher’s role is to clean the dishes, it doesn’t need cleaning. Well, wrong. Like any other appliance in your kitchen, your dishwasher needs cleaning to keep it looking great and have a long life. 

A telltale sign that it’s time to clean your dishwasher is if your dishes are dirty, cloudy, smells funny, or don’t drain properly. 

For peace of mind, clean your dishwasher once a month, check and clean the filter after each use, and sanitize it at least once a week.

Use dishwasher soap the right way.

The soap you use on your appliance makes a huge difference in your experience with your dishwasher. 

For a great experience, ensure you use the right detergent. 

Newer machines work best with liquid detergent because their water doesn’t get as hot and doesn’t dissolve powder or pods as well as it does in older machines.

 And don’t use too much detergent because that can cause too much sudsing, damage your unit, or make your dishes less clean.

Check your spray arms regularly.

If your dishes don’t get clean after every cycle, it could be a problem with your spray arms. Look to see if they are working and if they need to be cleaned.

Load the dishwasher properly.

Many people have different opinions on how to load their dishwashers. And this is a common bond of contention among people living in the same house.  

Regardless of how you load your appliance, here’s what appliance repair Northern VA experts say: Face knives down and forks and spoons up. You should also try not to put the same items next to each other and try not to overcrowd. 

4 Things to Avoid For An Optimally Functioning Dishwasher

According to dishwasher repair professionals, the primary reason you are having a problem with your dishwasher, or you fail to get ideal results from your unit, is because you are doing the wrong things. This means that to properly clean your dishes and keep your appliance in top shape, you must avoid doing the wrong things. Which are these things you should avoid doing? Here they are:

Don’t wash fine glasses in the dishwasher.

You shouldn’t do this because the delicate glasses can easily break from the rattling, and the dishwasher detergents can etch the glass, causing it to turn cloudy.

Instead of washing the glasses using the dishwasher, use your hands. Even when doing it, be ultra cautious that you don’t break them.

Don’t prewash the dishes.

Many people have the notion that they have to prewash their dishes before putting them in the dishwasher to thoroughly clean. While this might help if your dishes have been sitting out for a long time and your dishwasher isn’t powerful enough to remove the food pieces, you don’t need to prewash the dishes.

If you put the dishes in the dishwasher immediately after eating, prewashing is a waste of time, water, and energy, so don’t do it. The reason for this is because most modern dishwashers and detergents can easily handle crusty dishes and break down most solids, so you don’t need to help them do their work.

Some dishwashers have been found not to clean the dishes as well as they are supposed to when you prewash the dishes.

Some dishwashers have even damaged the dishes when you prewash them. When you put too clean dishes in the dishwasher, there is no food film on the surfaces for the detergents to adhere to. This forces the detergents to adhere to the surfaces of the dishes, which leads to them damaging their finish.

To make the work easy for the dishwasher, you can scrape off the dishes, but you shouldn’t wash them.

Don’t use too much dishwasher detergent than necessary

Detergents are packed with chemicals meant to attack dirt and grease. While these chemicals are great, they can sometimes wear down your metallic appliqués, ceramic glazes and etch your glassware, especially when you use too much of them.

To be safe, only use the recommended amount of detergent. If you aren’t sure about the right amount to use, check the manual. You can also contact the manufacturer representatives and ask about this.

When cleaning lighter loads and dishes that aren’t heavily soiled, don’t fill the dishwasher’s detergent cup to the brim.

Your choice of dishwasher detergent is vital. Remember that powdered detergents tend to leave the dishes cleaner than their liquid or tablet counterparts do, so you are better off going with them.

It’s not uncommon for the glassware to come out of the dishwasher spotty. When this happens, try using a rinse agent with your dishwasher detergent.

No two detergents are the same so if you aren’t satisfied with the results you get from one detergent, experiment with different detergents until you find the one that works the best for you.

To protect the environment, go for environmentally friendly detergents that contain less phosphate than the standard detergents.

Don’t overload your dishwasher.

As much as you want to save energy and water by loading your dishwasher with more dishes than normal, you shouldn’t, as it not only leads to some of the dishes failing to clean as well as they should, it can also lead to the dishwasher getting damaged.

To avoid this, you should load your appliance with just the right number of dishes.

For the best outcome, don’t just load the dishwasher—you need to load it properly. This calls for you to place glassware, cups, and bowls on the top rack.

For the dinner plates, load them towards the back of the bottom rack with each dish’s “food side” facing towards the center. Place the plates so that you have only one item between each pair of tines.

Appliance repair Springfield recommend you load big and tall items such as cookie sheets at the extreme edges of the bottom rack.

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.

Do You Need To Clean A Dishwasher?

Since they use the dishwasher to clean their dishes, many homeowners think they don’t need to clean their dishwasher, so you will hear them asking, do you need to clean a dishwasher? After all, it’s clean all the time, right?

According to dishwasher repair professionals, you need to clean your appliance to get rid of any food and grime that might have built up and can seriously damage the appliance’s filter and pump, leading to expensive repairs.

Thankfully, you don’t need to clean the dishwasher too often (once or twice a year is enough) and doing so isn’t hard, and you can easily do it by yourself.

How to clean the dishwasher

For effective cleaning, you need to follow the cleaning procedure:

Begin emptying the dishwasher, then inspect the spinning arms to ensure that all the holes are open and water flows through them.

You should then clear any debris present using fine pointed or needle-nose pliers. If you don’t have these, use a toothpick or any other similar object. When doing the cleaning, take care not to scratch anything.

Follow it up with wiping around the edges of the door and the gasket using a damp cloth or mild spray cleaner. Use an old toothbrush or a soft household brush to remove debris in the corners and under the gasket.

Once you are done, clean under the bottom of the door. This is a dead spot in most dishwashers, and water doesn’t go here, so it tends to accumulate a lot of debris, so you need to be cautious and ensure you remove all of it.

Take a look at the bottom of the dishwasher around the drain. There will be a grate or grill under the arm, and this is where the wastewater exits.

Pay close attention to the contents here and remove as much solid matter present as possible. Of major importance, pay close attention to the bits of food, gravel, broken glasses, and dishes present and get rid of them.

Are there any hard water deposits or scales on the dishwasher? Get rid of them. To do this, you need to run one cycle of your dishwasher empty with mild, food acid of your choice.

Avoid using bleach and detergents containing bleach if your appliance has a stainless steel interior or door.

Spray the dishwasher’s front with a mild spray cleaner of your choice and wipe it with a sponge or soft cloth. When doing it, pay attention to the controls and the handle. Also, don’t miss the little ledge between the panels as they tend to collect dirt.

Once you are done, refill the dishwasher rinse aid dispenser.

Other ways to keep your dishwasher in top shape

Besides cleaning the dishwasher, there are plenty of other ways you can keep your appliance in top shape. Some of these ways include:

Get rid of the excess gunk

The dishwasher’s cleaning ability will be significantly compromised when you deposit too much food into the system. To avoid this, scrape off any leftover food from the plates before putting them in the dishwasher.

Some homeowners go to the extent of pre-rinsing the dishes to give the dishwasher an easy time, but you don’t have to. Getting rid of the excess food residues is enough.

Properly load the dishwasher.

How you load the dishwasher affects how clean the dishes become and impacts the lifespan of the appliance, so you should be cautious of how you load it.

The right way to go about it is to follow the manufacturer’s recommended loading recommendations. As a rule of thumb, avoid overloading or crowding the dishwasher as it can block the spray arms and prevent the water from reaching all the surfaces.

Use hot water

Hot water cleans the best so ensure that your dishwasher is receiving the hottest water possible.

The best way to tell your appliance is getting enough hot water is to check the water temperature at the kitchen faucet using a meat or candy thermometer.

For proper cleaning, appliance repair Alexandria professionals advise that the temperature should be at least 120 degrees.

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.

Are Dishwashers Worth It?

Are you on the fence about buying a dishwasher and wondering, are dishwashers worth it? Dishwasher repair experts recommend every homeowner own a dishwasher. And no, this isn’t because the repair technicians want more homeowners to service machines for. It’s because dishwashers come with plenty of benefits. Some of these benefits include:

You save time

Studies show that homeowners spend an average of 60 minutes every day washing up after meals. If you are like me, this is a pretty long time that you would spend doing other things. And the good news is you can get back this time by using a dishwasher in your cleaning.

Loading a dishwasher takes approximately 9 minutes meaning that you have a whopping 51 minutes to spare and do the activities you have always been yearning to do.

Some dishwashers even come with timed programs that range from 30 minutes to 120 minutes, so you can set the dishwasher and let it run while you engage in other activities.

You save water

If you are saving money cleaning the dishes with your hands, a recent study showed that using a dishwasher reduces the amount of water used by up to 74%. Some of the modern appliances even consume less water, so you spend less and less.

It’s easier

This is a no-brainer. To clean the dishes with a dishwasher, you simply need to put the dishes in the unit and wait for it to do the work. The dishwasher does all the work without your involvement. Like when working with any other machine, it’s much easier to work with the dishwasher as you aren’t directly involved with it.

It’s safer

If you have fragile grasses and other crockery, it’s much safer to clean them using the dishwasher as you won’t be risking your hands in the event they break. You also won’t put them at the risk of dropping when handling them with soapy hands.

You have cleaner dishes.

Cleaning the dishes using a dishwasher not only takes less time and saves your energy, but it also gives you cleaner results. Most dishwashers have a steam gloss feature that makes your dishes appear cleaner, brighter, and shinier.

You get rid of germs.

To eliminate germs from your dishes, the water needs to be above 60 degrees centigrade. When you are cleaning the dishes by hand, this is a temperature you can’t achieve, as water above 27.5 degrees centigrade is too hot to touch. And as you can guess, this isn’t high enough to kill the germs.

The water inside a dishwasher is heated up to 75 degrees, so your dishes not only get out clean and spotless, but also germ-free.

It’s kinder to your hands.

To clean dishes with your hands, you have to deal with soaps, chemicals, and scrubbing the stubborn dishes. As you can imagine, this isn’t being kind to your hands, is it?

With a dishwasher, you simply need to put the dishes in the machine, and it does all the work while you are preparing the meals or having a chat.

What should you consider when buying a dishwasher?

As you can see, dishwashers come with plenty of benefits, and there is no reason you shouldn’t buy one. While this is the case, you shouldn’t buy the first machine you come across—you should take your time and ensure you buy the right one. Some of the factors to pay attention to when making the purchase include:

Washing cycles

How many washing cycles does the machine have? The most important cycles are a regular wash, light wash, heavy wash, and economy settings. To have a great time with your machine, ensure the dishwasher has all the necessary cycles.

Performance features

The number of washing levels influences the performance of the machine. This is how and where the water jets are distributed. Go for a machine with a three-tire system or more as it will provide a better experience.

Are dishwashers really worth it?

As we have seen, dishwashers are worth it, and you should go for them. You should note that buying the unit isn’t enough—you also need to clean and maintain it. At least once a year, let an appliance repair Fairfax professional go through it and fix any issues it might be having.

How Long Does A Dishwasher Last? Dishwasher Repair Experts Give Their Input

dishwasher repair

One of the mistakes homeowners make is hiring dishwasher repair professionals to repair an appliance that has passed its lifespan.

It’s pointless to keep on repairing an aged appliance as you will be wasting your money, and it will never work efficiently. If you are wondering how long does a dishwasher last, you should expect it to last for 9-11 years.

Things that affect the lifespan of the dishwasher

The lifespan of the appliance will be heavily influenced by these factors:

Frequency of use: How often do you use the unit? In an average home, the dishwasher is cycled five times a week. If you use your appliance more than this, it will most likely have a shorter lifespan and vice versa.

Quality: Reputable brands make high-quality appliances that last for years, so if you have a high-quality appliance from a reputable company, it’s bound to have a long lifespan. A machine from a reputable company also tends to develop fewer problems during its lifespan.

Maintenance: Periodic maintenance, such as cleaning, can significantly affect the lifespan of your unit. If you properly maintain your unit, it will have a longer lifespan and vice versa.

Price: Although, the price of the unit isn’t a very reliable factor, it can guide you on how long it will last. A poor quality appliance goes for a much lower price, so you can expect it to have a shorter lifespan than an expensive one.

Tricks on how to extend the life of your dishwasher

To avoid having to replace your dishwasher after a few years, you need to take good care of it so that it lasts for a long time. Some of the things you can do include:

Keep it clean: Everything begins here. Just as your car won’t last for long if you keep it dirty, your dishwasher also won’t last for long if you don’t clean it often. Routinely wipe down the door seals using warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth.

If you notice any foul smells in your appliance, work at getting rid of them as much as possible.

You also should regularly clean the filters that capture food particles. When cleaning, also inspect the filters and ensure they aren’t damaged such that they are allowing food to pass into the internal parts.

It’s normal for the sprayer arms to clog up when you don’t clean them as often as you should. To improve the washing experience, get rid of all the debris from them.

Be on the lookout for hard water residues: If you live in an area with hard water, thin films of hard minerals settle on the inside of the machine causing discoloration. This not only gives the dishwasher a cheap look, but it also significantly reduces its efficiency.

You should clean the dishwasher using a citric-based cleaning solution to get rid of the film. Also, consider adding regeneration salt to the water softening system to prevent the hard water from clouding, spotting, or minerals building up.

Use hot water: When cleaning the dishes, avoid using cold water—use hot water instead. The water not only makes the detergent more efficient, but it also kills germs, odors, and bacteria.

Don’t overload: On the verge of saving time, some homeowners stock the dishwasher more than it should. Don’t do this as it results in poor cleaning of the dishes. It can also cause undue strain on the dishwasher; hence it doesn’t function efficiently.

When placing the dishes, don’t stuff them in. Carefully load them in their correct areas. If any dishes are out of place, don’t force them. Simply leave them for another cycle.

Conclusion

A properly maintained dishwasher should last at least ten years. You can make your unit last longer than this by putting the above tips into action. When the unit develops problems, don’t hire just any contractor to repair it.

Take your time and find a reputable and certified appliance repair Springfield professional to do it. You can verify they are reputable by taking a look at their experience and track record. Also, confirm with the regulatory bodies and confirm they are allowed to offer their services in your local area.

Dishwasher Repair: Tips On How To Properly Load The Dishwasher

Dishwasher repair professionals report that one of the reasons why dishwashers keep on failing is due to improper loading. For you to keep your unit functioning optimally you need to be cautious of how you load it. Here are tips on how to do it:

Start with the bottom

Many people start loading their appliances from the top. This is wrong. You should start from the bottom. Insert the plates into the slots in the bottom section of the dishwasher. Ensure that they are facing towards the center.

If the plates have to lean, lean them inwards and downwards. This is to ensure that they are properly sprayed by the jets that spray water outwards, from the center.

When arranging the plates, keep the surfaces separated and accessible to the water stream. When it comes to the cups, bowls, and glasses, place them at an angle so that they get enough water from below. Take caution that they don’t take up a lot of room.

The best way of going about it is stacking the bowls neatly on an incline. This ensures that the washing solution reaches inside the bowl.

Place plastics on the top rack

Since the heating element of most dishwashers is on the bottom, you should place plastic items in the bottom rack. This is to prevent them from melting or warping. When loading them, take caution that you don’t crowd them, making it hard for water and cleaning solution to reach them.

If you have large plastic items, consider handwashing them first before you place them in the dishwasher. This makes the work of the unit much easy.

Properly load the cutlery basket

The cutlery basket carries the knives, spoons, and forks. Do you have dangerous or ultra-sharp knives? Hand wash them. This is to prevent the dishwasher from getting dull. You should distribute the cutlery loosely, positioning the soiled surfaces of the spoons and forks apart so that the water can reach them.

Be cautious when loading long pieces of cutlery. This is because they tend to block the spray from the nozzles, tubes, and rotating devices. If you have the long pieces, lay them in the upper basket.

When it comes to the larger serving utensils, place them at the top section of the dishwasher. You should arrange them facing down, so that water doesn’t collect in them.

Use the plastic safety rack to hold wine glasses

Does your dishwasher have a plastic, mesh-like piece on the top rack? It’s designed to hold wine glasses, so make use of it. In addition to wine glasses, you can also use it to hold any fragile pieces you might be having.

After loading the dishwasher, inspect the spinning arms and rotating devices and ensure that they are spinning freely. There should be no tubes or sprayers obstructing them.

Also, check the detergent cups and ensure that they open fully. You should note that if there are any materials obstructing or blocking the surfaces, they make it harder for the dishwasher to properly clean the dishes.

Tips on how to get the most from your dishwasher

In addition to properly loading the dishwasher, there are plenty of other things you can do to ensure that your unit is functioning optimally.

One of the things you can do is to scrape off large food pieces from the dishes and into the trash or garbage disposal. You should get rid of things such as seeds, bones, corncobs, peelings, and any other thick materials that might be there. If the dishes are too dirty, consider pre-rinsing them.  

Everyone wants shiny dishes when they are coming from the dish washer. For you to make it easy for the unit to give you the results you are looking for, make use of a rinse agent or pre-wash fluid. The fluid helps you to reduce water spots, especially if you have hard water.

Commercial appliance repair Northern VA professionals recommend that you run the garbage disposal before you run the dishwasher. Most of the dishwashers drain into the same pipe as the sink; therefore, when you run the garbage disposal, you drain it thus making it easy for the dishwasher to work and give you clean dishes.