Have you ever unlocked your dishwasher after a run and discovered your grubby dishes? That popular machine in your kitchen-diner that is supposed to rinse dishes does in fact desires to be washed itself.
A dishwasher is a household appliance you depend on a daily basis, so it’s also necessary to ensure you maintain it regularly to keep it functioning its full capacity. Newly manufactured dishwashers are installed with advanced technologies like quiet cycle, flexible racks, and modern cleaning devices that eliminate the frustration of rinsing your dishes, but at times you just want some tips and techniques to help maintain your dishes clean time after time.
The dishwasher is your go-to cleaning machine, especially after a big family meal, when the countertop is piled high with dirty plates, cookware, serving platters, and the like. Now and then, you need to return the favor by giving your dishwasher a thorough cleaning.
There are ten easy ways to keep the life of your dishwasher machine. Doing so about every few months can keep it functioning well and performing magic on your dishes after each cycle. Below are some tips we prepared to show you how to maintain your dishwasher:
1. Operate a complete cycle on an empty dishwasher.
On the bottom of the dishwasher, place a cup of distilled vinegar before you run a full empty cycle. The vinegar solution helps release food scraps, and water and accumulated minerals, and after a full cycle ends, makes it simpler to rinse the inside of the dishwasher.
2. Uninstall and wash the dish racks and flatware holder.
Then, it’s time to take the racks and holder out and wash them in warm foamy water in the lavatory. Examine them for breaks or traces of wear and tear.
3. Rinse inside the dishwasher.
Use warm, foamy water on the bottom, walls, and back of the machine. You could install a lean brush to have easy access to the back walls. Then, proceed to the liquid dispenser and you might be stunned with the accumulated fragments there. You would need an old toothbrush, pieces of toothpick if some powder scraps are piled up.
4. Remove residue from the spinning arms and spray nozzle.
The spinning arms of your dishwasher have holes where water is released from during a run. The round openings sometimes are filled up with crumbs. If you begin to observe that your dishes are not completely rinsed, these holes may be the root cause. Remove any fragments with a toothpick. You must also check the arms to confirm if they are spinning properly. Several dishwashing machines come with a spray nozzle on the bottom of the unit and it usually appears similar to the upper part of the spinning arms. Mineral residues also can stock up inside the spray nozzle. To be able to take them out, you need pieces of toothpick or a small pipe cleaner. You should review your manual for cleaning this part when necessary.
5. Wash the filter.
Though most dishwashing machines have filters, still few units are manufactured without one. If you have secured a unit with a filtering device, take it out then wash, and put it back to the exact same spot. You should also refer to your guide for this step.
6. Wash around the dishwasher drain.
The drain of your dishwasher can be seen on the bottom and will be stuck up over time with food scraps, crumbs, and normally, small pieces of plastics and other rubbish that get in a dishwasher. A clog is also one common reason for unclean dishes that don’t look like they were washed after a full run in the unit. Also check the spots around the drain and make use of a wet sponge to wipe dirts around the outside.
In some cases, cleansing around the outside fails to clear clogs and you need to take it out to do a complete maintenance. A severe clog that comes from the filthy water won’t drain properly. It may also indicate that the pump has to function hard. You can either seek an online consultation or tap a professional technician to deal with issues in the dishwasher drain.
7. Clean the edges of the door
Check and remove the crumbs on the bottom part and around the inside of the dishwasher door. Food scraps build up there, too, and every time you shut the door, it just gets tangled and layered over with some other food particles. An unused toothbrush will remove the impacted bits, then use a warm foamy sponge and rinse it to match the inside part of the door that usually gets cleansed during a cycle. If it is done well, it will seem to appear brand new inside and out.
8. Remove residues in the gasket and outside of the door
Use a wet clean cloth to remove the greases and detergent powders that build up from the rubber gasket. A well cleaned gasket keeps your door sealed or closed properly. Next, wipe the external surface of the door using a soft, clean wet cloth. Read the guidelines on your manual or online for the appropriate kind of detergent to use, being conditioned by the stainless steel of the door.
9. Rerun a full cycle.
After unclogging and cleaning every part of the inside of your machine, you should turn it on for another cycle to get everything washed thoroughly and be set to use again for your piled dishes.
10. Regularly check the spray arms.
Dirts can accumulate inside the jets that make them less functional, so if your manual recommends to take them out, carefully uninstall the spray arms and shove a toothpick into the water holes to unclog any food scraps and keep them flowing freely.
A regular maintenance of your dishwashing machine is must to keep it fully operational so your dishes come out dirt-free. A home warranty coverage is also a practical way to keep your dishwasher in shape.
Is your dishwasher flawlessly clean but still not running properly? Or do you need a repair of its one or more parts? Whatever you need, 5 Star Appliance Repair can serve you. The technicians are experts in installing, cleaning, repair, and beyond. Contact us today for a superior appliance service.
