Dishwashers require very little maintenance for them to do their job well. But that doesn’t mean you should neglect yours. There are some simple things that you can do to extend the life of your dishwasher. Here are some tips to keep your appliance running smoothly:
Do Scrape Food Off
While you don’t have to rinse the dishes before you load them in new dishwashers, it’s still best that you at least scrape the food off the plates with a rubber food scraper. Know that big chunks of food left in the dishes can cause clogs and may even reduce the efficiency of your dishwasher.
Check If Your Washer is Level
For your appliance to function efficiently, it needs to be level. If you want to be sure about this, you can place a bubble level inside your dishwasher and adjust the legs until the appliance is leveled properly.
Take Care of the Gaskets
The gasket keeps water from leaking out while you’re using the dishwasher. If your appliance’s gasket deteriorates, there may be a water leak each time you run a load. Inspect the gasket from time to time and make sure there are no cracks, or mold and mildew. If you see that the gasket is dirty, you can easily clean it using a sponge that is dipped in water and vinegar solution. If it is brittle or broken, call a professional to have it replaced immediately.
Don’t Forget about the Screen
All brands and models of dishwashers have screens or filters that are designed to catch any food and waste left in the dishes. Naturally, these screens need occasional cleaning, if you want to avoid clogs. Find the screen inside your dishwasher and make it a point to clean it once in a while. If it’s removable, take it out and soak it in warm or hot water with dish soap and gently scrub it.
Use Vinegar for Cleaning
After a while, you might notice that your dishwasher smells like rotten food, mold, or mildew. To address this problem, add two to three cups of white vinegar in your empty dishwasher and run the appliance using the “hot” setting. Remember that regular cleaning not only prevents clogs but also odours.
Do Not Overload
Overloading your dishwasher can compromise its efficiency. The result would be less than clean dishes. Large pieces like bowls and cookie sheets can block the spray of water and get in the way of the water flow cleaning all the other dishes.
These are just some of the ways you can add more years to your dishwasher’s life. If you are experiencing problems with yours, just call Hayes Plumbing! We can fix any issue, big or small!
