Revitalize Your Dishwasher: Five Essential Steps
Transform your dishwasher into the ultimate kitchen ally with these five essential steps. While it may not have the ability to travel at light speed like the Millennium Falcon, you’ll certainly appreciate the significant boost in its cleaning performance. Follow these tips to rejuvenate your dishwasher and potentially save yourself hundreds of dollars in repairs or replacements!
1. STOP RINSING! NEVER PREWASH DISHES!
It’s time to break the habit of rinsing your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher! Not only are you wasting precious water, but you’re also eliminating a crucial component needed for modern automatic dishwashing detergents to work effectively: food particles. Believe it or not, these residues are vital for the detergent’s activation!
2. SCRAPE OFF THE CHUNKS
Instead of rinsing, simply scrape off any leftover food scraps into the trash using a rubber spatula. This method ensures that your dishwasher gets the best chance to clean effectively without the need for pre-washing.
3. NEUTRALIZE HARD WATER EFFECTS WITH DISHWASHER SALT
If you live in an area with hard water, you may notice unsightly white residues on your dishes and silverware. Hard water, which contains higher levels of minerals, can also lead to mineral buildup on your dishwasher’s internal components, potentially resulting in rust and mechanical failure over time. To combat this, use dishwasher salt to soften hard water. Simply refill the salt dispenser when the indicator light signals that it’s time to do so.
4. CLEAN YOUR DISHWASHER’S FOOD TRAP
If you find that your dishwasher isn’t cleaning items on the bottom rack effectively, it may be time for some maintenance. Focus on these key areas:
- Regularly inspect and clear the drains to remove any debris.
- Periodically clean the spray arms and rubber seals to avoid residue accumulation.
- Remove and clean the filters every couple of months to maintain optimal efficiency.
5. LOAD YOUR DISHES PROPERLY
To maximize cleaning efficiency, always place your crockery upside down to ensure that water can easily run off the surfaces for complete drying. Avoid overlapping plates, as this can create blind spots where the spray jets can’t reach. Lastly, ensure that the spray arms can rotate freely without any obstruction from the dishes.