Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Dishwasher

Sep 10, 2015

After countless uses and hundreds of dishes, homeowners may find that their dishwasher is not running as smoothly or smelling as good as it once did. If it’s not time to replace your dishwasher, here are a few things to keep in mind to help extend its life. Appliance Gallery, Wisconsin’s premier appliance store, offers ways for homeowners to help their dishwashers run at best.

Making sure the dishwasher is not overcrowded is essential. “The most energy-efficient method is to load as many dishes as possible,” said Stephen Erb, appliance manager. “But make sure that dishes are not touching each other so they will be properly washed.”

One of the most important things when it comes to using the dishwasher is loading the dishes properly. Delicates should be placed on the top rack and more durable items placed on the bottom. Load stemware and cups at an angle. That way, water can run off the bottom and dry better. For optimal cleaning, put cooking utensils on the top rack rather than in the cutlery bin.

Plates and bowls should be loaded so the dirty side faces the water spray, and pots, pans, and casserole dishes should face down for the best cleaning results. Place pans and platters along the sides of and back of the rack to prevent them from blocking the spray arm.

Less is more when it comes to detergent. “Many people use more soap then they need,” said Erb. “Dishwasher detergent is concentrated, so you do not need to use much. And, while you do not want to put dishes with large chunks of food in the dishwasher, it’s not necessary to rinse thoroughly. Today’s detergents are formulated to react with the proteins in leftover food. These proteins activate the detergent enzymes that clean and remove soil. If the detergent cannot activate, it will largely remain in its crystal format, which can etch and fog glassware.”

Using the correct cycle when washing the dishes will help to enhance the dishwasher’s performance. “Sometimes it may be tempting to use a shorter wash to save energy and money on water bills, but if your dishes have baked-on food, they won’t always get clean,” said Erb. “Then you’ll waste more water by running the cycle another time.”

Extending the life of a dishwasher involves regular maintenance. The dishwasher trap and the dishwasher seals can accumulate a lot of build up, so it is important to clean them out every few months. If a dishwasher starts to smell, a cup of white vinegar will do the trick. “Dumping a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher and running a cycle will help eliminate old food particles and smells,” said Erb.

Checking the water heater temperature is another way to ensure the dishwasher is performing at an appropriate temperature. The ideal temperature for washing dishes is between 120 and 125 degrees. If it is any higher, it may cause water to flash dry and not roll off the dishes.

“Testing your water to make sure it is not hard is also important,” said Erb. “Hard water will leave a residue on your dishes and lead to rust in the dishwasher. The easiest solution is to use dishwasher detergent with a water softener.”

With more than 25 name-brand manufacturers, Appliance Gallery’s spacious Milwaukee showroom at 4550 West Wisconsin Avenue features a knowledgeable, friendly, and experienced sales staff offering competitive pricing, and service after the sale. Call 414-727-7550 for more information.