Have you ever had to wash the same load of dishes two or three times to get them clean? Don’t worry, you’re not alone and there are several reasons why this continue to happen. Here are a few dishwasher use tips to ensure you’ll only be running the machine once to get the clear sparkling dishes you want to fill your cabinets with!
Dishwasher Use Tips
Even the best dishwashers need to be utilized properly in order to get sparkling clean dishes without white stains or stuck-on food particles. Follow these simple dishwasher use tips to get cleaner dishes with every load.
Detergent Use
If you are using powder detergent in your unit always make sure you are using the proper amount for your machine to work at its optimum level. Too much detergent will leave the ugly cloudiness or white residue on your glasses and cook wear forcing you to either run the machine again without adding more detergent or having to, in turn, bring the dishes to the sink to rinse while using too little will not sufficiently clean the dishes.
As we all know, especially in Louisiana, whether your home is supplied with soft or hard water all depends on where you live. Finding out what type of water your machine is using is essential in being confident that you are using the right amount of detergent.
Pre-Rinsing Dishes
And believe it or not, you can say goodbye to pre-rinsing dishes for good! Modern dishwasher detergents use enzymes which eat away at food particles during a cycle. These detergents actually work better when there’s a little bit of food to remove. Just scrape off any large pieces of food beforehand and let your dishwasher do the rest.
Clear the Drain
Sometimes we are in a rush and simply don’t have time to ensure all dishes were wiped down and rinsed before entering the wash cycle. Many times food particles will get stuck inside the drain line and they will stink our kitchen up in no time. Always turn on your garbage disposal (with the water on) after running a load of dishes. This will help break down and get rid of any food that might have been missed.
Using Rinse-Aid
While not a detergent, rinse-aid is an important product to use while operating your dishwasher. Rinse-aid helps prevent white spots and prevents streaks on dishes by beading water off of surfaces during the final rinse cycle.
It’s recommended that you use a little bit of rinse-aid with every load but especially with loads that are more heavily soiled because they can cause spots or streaks if not rinsed properly.
Dishwasher Loading Tips
When filling the dishwasher makes sure that the items inside are not getting in the way of the spray arms used to dispense water in the inside of the unit during the wash cycles. Any tall pans or cooking utensils will obstruct the path on the arms not allowing all items inside to adequately receive the amount of pressure needed to make sure that your dishes come out clean every time.
When loading the top rack, make sure that all of your items are face-down toward the spray arm. Items like bowl and glasses should also be tilted toward the center in order for the water to reach every surface that needs to be cleaned.
Clean the Dishwasher Interior
Right after a cycle is complete is the perfect time to give the inside of the unit a good wipe down with the steam from the wash still covering the walls of the unit. Also never leave the door of the unit shut as the sitting water can cause an undesirable smell and your plastic wear will never dry. Take a kitchen towel folded in half and drape it over the slightly opened door to make sure good airflow from outside is getting into the unit.
If you’re having trouble with your dishwasher not working properly though, give the dishwasher repair experts at Solar Appliance Service a call today for fast, dependable repair service.
