There’s nothing quite like the convenience of a dishwasher. The bigger your family is, the more of a pleasure it can be to know that you have a machine to put all of your dirty dishes into! Can you even imagine how long it took to wash dishes by hand before dishwashers existed? Yet, some of us may be so used to the convenience of a dishwasher that we don’t even consider what life would be without one.
That’s why, when our dishwasher breaks down, or floods into our living room and we have to call a plumber, we find ourselves appreciating our dishwashers even more. To get the most out of your dishwasher, you must treat it with care. This will not only help you save a considerable amount of money on repair fees, or even potentially having to repeatedly buy new machines, but it will also help ease the burden of daily dishwashing. Here are some of the simplest yet most effective ways to make your dishwasher last.
Regular Cleaning
Think of it this way— you put your dishes into your dishwasher to clean them. However, do you ever actually wash your dishwasher? It seems a little counterintuitive to put the dishes that you want clean into a dirty machine. Like your dishes, your dishwasher also needs periodic cleaning to remove all of the built-up food and sludge particles.
At least once a month take out your dishwasher filter and spray arms, and clean out any debris. It’s as simple as using a soft brush to gently scrub away sludge. Following a good scrub, consider using a cleaning agent while you run your dishwasher on empty. While there are some dishwashing cleaners available on the market, even something as simple as vinegar and baking soda will do the trick.
Don’t Overload
We get it! You don’t want to have dishes lingering in your sink. However, overloading your dishwasher is the number one cause of dishwashers breaking down. Proper loading won’t just ensure that your dishes are thoroughly cleaned, but it will also avoid over-straining your dishwasher components.
When you overload, it will obstruct the spray arms, and possibly even damage them. Always put large and heavy items on the bottom, and arrange utensils and their respective compartments. By doing this, you’ll see a significant difference in how clean your dishes come out, and you’ll find yourself with a lot fewer problems arising.
Use Detergent and Rinse Solution
Many people think that detergent alone is enough to do the job. However, a rinse aid is also critical for optimal dishwasher performance. Choose high-quality brands that will prevent build up, and protect even the most delicate of your dishes. By adding a rinse solution after the wash cycle, the drying process will go much faster not to mention you’ll find yourself with fewer streaks and smudges on your dishes.
