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6 Best Tips on How to Use Your Dishwasher

Dishwasher

The dishwasher has become an indispensable appliance that saves us valuable time and effort in the kitchen. Yet, there's more to operating a dishwasher than just loading in dirty plates and pressing a button. Maximizing its potential requires a blend of smart strategies, proper maintenance and clever organization. These six practical tips help show how to use a dishwasher efficiently, ensuring that you are left with sparkling clean dishes after every load.

1. Make sure to only pre-rinse dishes as needed

Many people think that dirty dishes need to be rinsed off completely before being placed in the dishwasher, but detergent actually clings onto the food residue left on dishes. A rinsed off plate has nothing for the soap to attach to. Plus, most modern dishwashers are able to detect how much water to use based on how dirty the dishes are. So, if the dishwasher only detects rinsed off dishes, it will assume these dishes don’t need as much water and they will not get thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. 

2. Never overload your dishwasher

Although you should utilize the interior space within your dishwasher accordingly, the racks should never be overflowing with dirty dishes. Loading dishwashers, especially small dishwashers, with too many dishes will interfere with the circulation of the water and the detergent. Overloading even the best dishwashers can result in:

  • Not cleaning every dish in the dishwasher. Overcrowded loads consist of some clean dishes and some that seem barely touched at all.
  • Longer cycle times. The overall efficiency of the dishwasher’s operation is affected by overcrowding, making most machines work harder and use up more water and energy.
  • Increased risk of damaged dishes. More fragile dishes, such as glasses and smaller plates, can easily break if they are shoved improperly into a dishwasher, which not only ruins that specific dish, but also potentially exposes everything else in the dishwasher to broken glass.
  • Dishes not properly drying off. Too many dishes packed into the dishwasher prevents the lower-stacked dishes from adequately drying off since they are not fully exposed to the heating and drying elements of the cycle.

3. Place your dishes in the dishwasher properly

You should be mindful of how you place each dish into the dishwasher. Loading dishes properly involves facing dirty dishes inward and to the center because the sprayer arm is located in the middle of the appliance. If you have a dishwasher with a third rack, you should put utensils on the very top slot. You should also attempt to follow the patterns of the dish racks because they are designed to carry a certain number of dishes and spread them out by their shape. So, glasses and cups should normally go on the higher rack since the columns are perfectly sized for them, and, plates and bigger dishes should go in their designated spaces featured on the lower rack.

4. Choose the correct wash cycle for each use

Not all loads of dirty dishes need to be washed the same way. Instead, you should select the appropriate washing cycle depending on what dishes you are washing, how much they are soiled and how much you’d like them cleaned. Specific cleaning cycles vary depending on the model and brand, but most top control dishwashers and front control dishwashers both boast the same common cleaning cycles, which are:

  • Normal. Offering a good balance between performance and efficiency, the normal or auto cycle is used for most loads.
  • Quick or express wash. This energy saving cycle minimizes water usage for lightly soiled dishes, which also decreases the wash time.
  • Rinse only. Using no detergent and less water than usual, the rinse only setting is great for clean dishes that need an extra rinse or dirty dishes that you’d like to clean off a little before the actual wash cycle.
  • Heavy-duty. Perfect for pots and pans and other dishes that are difficult to clean, the heavy-duty cycle uses higher water temperatures, additional detergent sprays and extended wash times to thoroughly clean the most soiled dishes.
  • Delicates. Although washing them by hand never hurts, fragile dishes, such as wine glasses or saucer cups, can be washed with a delicate or specialty setting. This cycle adjusts the water pressure and temperature accordingly to cater to the more delicate dishes.

5. Check your water temperature

The recommended water temperature during a dishwasher’s load is between 120°F and 140°F. Most built-in dishwashers and portable dishwashers have a heating element that will control the water temperature in relation to the selected wash cycle. However, the heating element can become faulty and not heat the water hot enough for a sufficient cleaning. If you find that your dishes are wet and cold after a wash cycle completes, you may have to replace your unit’s heating element. Grease and oil removal is much more difficult without hot water, and, the germs, pathogens and other microorganisms that might live on dirty dishes require hot water to be adequately sanitized.

6. Clean and keep up with regular maintenance

Similar to most other appliances, your dishwasher should be cleaned on a regular basis while you also take care of any necessary maintenance or repairs. If you are wondering how to clean a dishwasher, the process is pretty simple. Clearing out loose food debris, cleaning the filters and wiping down and rinsing the interior should all be included in your cleaning process. Regularly cleaning your dishwasher is beneficial because it:

  • Helps maintain performance and efficiency
  • Prevents unpleasant odors
  • Promotes hygiene and sanitation
  • Extends the lifespan of the dishwasher

Essential upkeep for your appliances helps regulate maintenance and keeps your dishwasher running smoothly. In addition to making sure your unit is routinely cleaned, you should also:

  • Inspect the spray arms to ensure there are no blockages
  • Examine the water valves for any signs of damage or leaks
  • Check to make sure the gaskets are sealed
  • If applicable, run a maintenance cycle that deep scrubs buildup and other residue

If you clean and stay on top of your dishwasher maintenance and it still doesn’t seem to be working at full capacity, repair services are available.

Getting the most out of your dishwasher

Now that you have an idea how to get the most out of your dishwasher, you should be able to keep your unit running smoothly and efficiently. Whether you are researching what to know when buying a dishwasher, actively shopping for a dishwasher or just want to know how to use yours more effectively, these six tips will hopefully elevate your dishwashing game and help keep your dishes cleaner. Say goodbye to handwashing and embrace the convenience of your dishwasher.