Extend the life of your dishwasher

Extend the life of your dishwasher by taking proper care of it

The dishwasher is a wonderful appliance that saves time and effort in keeping your dishes clean. But in order to keep enjoying its perks for as long as possible, you must take care of your dishwasher in a way that extends its lifespan. Here are some practical tips on how to use and maintain your dishwasher efficiently.

Place the dishes properly

The first step is being mindful of how you place your dishes in the dishwasher. The dishwasher usually has designated spaces, and it’s best to follow these patterns. Plates and bigger dishes, for example, are best situated on the lower rack while smaller items such as cups and glasses go on the higher rack. Dirty dishes should face the sprayer arm in the middle, and subsequently be placed inward to the center. Using this method of proper placement will ensure that the dishes are cleaned effectively.

Don’t overload

In line with proper placement of the dishes, you should be mindful never to overload the dishwasher. Too many items will obstruct the circulation of the water and detergent. Overall, overcrowding the dishwasher forces the machinery to work hard and use more water and energy in order to clean, which will have a negative effect on its efficiency.

Overall cleaning and maintenance

Regular cleaning is an absolute necessity if you wish to extend the life of your dishwasher. Cleaning food debris, the edges and the door seal will not only uphold the dishwasher’s efficiency, but also take care of unpleasant odours. It might also be a good idea to be aware of how to perform common maintenance tasks, like knowing how to unblock a dishwasher. Grease, bits of food and scale can cause a dishwasher to get blocked, not allowing the water to drain properly. Using a professional unblocker liquid can quite easily help to resolve this. Other options involve a mix of vinegar and baking soda to dissolve the residues.

Inspect the spray arms

The spinning spray arms are a central part of the dishwasher. They provide the dishwasher with the necessary power in order to clean and work properly. Therefore, the spray arms should be checked regularly on any kind of blockages. This can be done by using a pin to clear away any blockages in the nozzles. This could be a perfect opportunity to take the nozzles out of the dishwasher entirely to give them a good cleaning.

Remove the filter

Another part that needs regular attention is the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher’s tub. The filter is placed so that food particles are prevented from entering the drainage system. It needs to be cleaned every two to three months, to keep debris from building up and affecting the drainage performance. Make sure to check the user manual of your specific dishwasher to learn how to remove the filter. After removal you can simply clean it under the tap and put it back again.