Dishwasher Maintenance Tips

If not maintained correctly, dishwashers can breakdown. Here are some helpful tips to prevent premature dishwasher repairs.

1. Scrape Food off Dishes – You should at least scrape the food off plates and dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. By not doing so, food gets into washer arms and pump screens. It can also damage the pump/motor assembly or drain pump. Although debatable, the more food and particles that are rinsed off the plate, the less likely the machine is to break down. However, a technician points out that if you wash the dish completely before putting it in the dishwasher, the detergent has nothing to attach itself to so it ends up on the walls, racks, and spray arms causing cloudy glasses and film left on plates. The best recommended tip is to rinse but not wash.
2. Don’t Overload the Dishwasher – If you end up with too many dishes in the sink, divide the dishes into two loads instead of stuffing all of them in at the same time. Overloading causes dishes from getting fully cleaned and may make you rinse the same dishes twice. Overloading can also make the dishwasher leak by diverting water to the tank bottom causing a splash out under the door.
3. Don’t Over Soaping – A common mistake is putting too much dishwasher soap. Too much soap can lead to buildup, reduce performance and strain components. When you run out of dishwasher detergent, do not replace with liquid dish soap.
4. Power Surge Protection – Some power surges are strong enough to severely damage or kill a dishwasher and other household electrical appliances. A surge protector can go a long way in saving appliances from spikes in your home’s electrical current. Another alternative to power strip cords is a whole-house surge protection.

 

Please go to the Orange County Register to search for more information on dishwasher maintenance tips.