The reason you invested in a dishwasher is that you want to have an easy time cleaning your dishes. There is nothing more aggravating than opening the dishwasher door after a cleaning cycle and find the dishes still dirty. This happens when you improperly clean the dishes. Do you want to have cleaner dishes after every cycle? Here are tips to follow as given by dishwasher repair experts:
There is no way you are going to have clean dishes if the dishwasher is dirty. At least once a week, inspect the dishwasher for dirt and clean it if dirty. Start with examining the drain filters as the dirt and grime from the dishes goes here.
When you go for a long time without cleaning the filters, they can clog up, preventing the dishwasher from cleaning as well as it should.
You also should pay attention to the spray arms. Use a cable, steel wire, or wire hanger to poke the arms and remove any gunk that might be there.
Over time, it’s common for gunk to build up around the interior of the doors. Clean the door seals by wiping them down with a damp piece of cloth or paper towel.
Run the right cycle
Dishwashers come with a variety of cycles that allow you to adjust the washing levels depending on what you are washing and the amount of washing you need:
- Rinse cycle: Appropriate for light cleaning
- Quick cycle: The cleaning ranges vary from half an hour to an hour. They are made to tackle light cleaning jobs.
- Normal cycles: These are the most ideal for day-to-day cleaning of the dishes.
- Pots and pans cycle: Ideal for large and more heavily soiled cookware.
Some dishwasher models have more specialized cycles, such as anti-bacterial and semi-rinse. For you to choose the right cycle, use the care manual as the guide. If you have lightly soiled dishes, a normal or quick wash will be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you have stuff that has baked or dried on the plates after a normal meal, go for the auto cycle.
Do you have baked-on stuff or cookware? Go for the pots and pans cycle. Choosing the right cleaning cycle is vital as a failure to do it will lead to dirty dishes at the end of the cycle.
Use the right temperature
For the best dishwashing results, the temperature of the water should be 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Water that is hot enough easily dissolves and activates the dishwashing detergents. It also dissolves grease leaving the dishes spot-free.
If the temperature is too low, the dishwasher doesn’t clean the dishes thoroughly. On the other hand, if the water is too hot, the ingredients in the detergent don’t function properly. Some of the soils might also fail to get adequately removed.
To check the temperature of the dishwasher, turn on the faucet nearest to the dishwasher. Place a thermometer in a cup under the faucet and let the water run into the cup. If the temperature isn’t around 120 degrees Fahrenheit, adjust the water heater.
Load the dishwasher properly
How you load the dishwasher not only determines how efficiently the dishwasher functions, it also determines how clean the dishes get. Before loading the machine, scrape off as many excess foods from the dishes as much as you can.
Some homeowners go to the extent of rinsing the dishes, but you don’t have to. If there are bits of food that have crusted over and stuck on the dishes, don’t worry about them as the dishwasher will get rid of them when you run the appropriate cycle.
When arranging the dishes, do it by how dirty they are. Group the ones that need a heavy wash together and those that require light or standard cleaning by themselves. Doing this prevents you from having some of the dishes cleaner than others. It also prevents you from running two heavy cycles.
Keep the dishwasher in top shape
Cleaning the dishwasher isn’t enough. You also need to repair it regularly to keep it in top shape. When you notice a problem with the unit, ask an appliance repair Springfield professional to give it a look and fix the problem.
