At Power Point we know how important it is to look after your dishwasher. With many of us having busy lives and lack of energy at the end of the day, our dishwashers can be lifesavers when there’s a pile of washing up to do after dinner. That’s why we want to talk to you about dishwasher maintenance. However, dishwasher maintenance isn’t just about making sure it works. It’s also about ensuring that your dishwasher’s cleaning results are the best they can be as well as avoiding any build-up of unpleasant odours. Here are a few tips on how you can look after your dishwasher.
Use a Dishwasher Cleaner
Your machine works hard for you, being filled up and used at least once a day in most households. If you don’t look after your dishwasher, this can lead to the build-up of grease, limescale and odours. Most dishwasher manufacturers recommend using a dishwasher cleaner at least every six months, but preferably once a month.
You can easily purchase commercial cleaners in the supermarket that are specially designed to keep your machine clean. A cup of lemon juice or plain white vinegar will also work. However, please never use bleach or any harsh cleaners as this can cause seals and components to degrade and damage the machine.
Top Up with Dishwasher Salt and Rinse Aid
Have you ever noticed a warning light on the front of your machine? This is your appliance telling you that you need to either top-up the salt or the rinse aid (your dishwasher should make it clear which one). It is important that you pay attention to these indicators and top these up when told to if you want to look after your dishwasher. It is also good practice to do it once a month so that you never get to the point where the warning lights come on.
You might be asking why we put these into our dishwashers. Well, using the salt helps to decrease limescale build-up. It also softens the water, which is vital because most dishwasher detergents only work effectively in soft water. Rinse aid is used to improve the results that you see from your machine by helping your dishes dry streak-free as well as decreasing the drying time.
Keep Your Filter Clean
Located at the bottom of your dishwasher, the filter can often be easily forgotten about. The purpose of the filter is to stop any bits of food waste getting into the pipes and causing any blockages. Your appliance will typically instruct you on how to remove and clean your filter in its instruction manual. Commonly it should just be a case of removing the outer section, removing any trapped bits of food and rinsing it under hot water.
Check for Obstructions
You probably know by now that your dishwasher works using two spray arms that spin and spray water at your dirty dishes. If these become obstructed, it can stop them from doing their job and may result in dishes not being cleaned properly. This is why before every wash you should check for any obstructions.
Once you have loaded your dishwasher, before closing the door, simply spin the spray arm gently and check to see if it hits any plates or trays that you have put in there. If your dishes are still coming out dirty, the spray holes in the spray arms may have become blocked and will need cleaning. This is fairly easy to do and may be explained in your appliance’s manual. If you have any questions about this, you can get in touch with us and we can advise what is best to do.
These tips should help you to look after your dishwasher and keep it working effectively. YOu can find more advice on the Which? website If you notice any serious problems we offer dishwasher repairs for both domestic customers and landlords who lease their properties.