Top Dishwasher Cleaning Tips

Does your dishwasher need a clean? Top tips to keeping your dishwasher working like new.

Do scrape the dishes but do not wash them:

It would be a ridiculous idea to wash the dishes twice (once by hand and then in the dishwasher) but put as little food in the dishwasher as possible as it may block the drainage of the machine. Rinse those dishes that you know may have difficult to remove food/sauce on them.

Clean your dishwasher filter:

Refer to your handbook if you are confused about how to remove and clean your filter but usually it is located at the bottom of the machine. Unscrew it if it is screwed or usually they just lift out. Soak it in hot, soapy water for several minutes and remove any food which may have caught in it. If there is any food or grease left on it then you can scrub gently with a toothbrush or sponge. Do not rub too hard though as your filter is fragile. When all is clean then place the filter back in its space.

Don't overcrowd the dishwasher:

It's something that's easier said than done. It's quite tempting to place one more bowl or plate to avoid hand washing. Just remember, it's better to wash a few pieces by hand than it is to rerun an entire load because items are too dirty because they have been too tightly packed.

Do not overfill the dishwasher:

It is important not to overfill the dishwasher as this may mean that your plates and dishes do not get cleaned properly. It is easier to wash a few items by hand rather than doing a completely new washing cycle.

Run hot water before starting the dishwasher:

Run the tap to hot before starting the dishwasher as this will make sure that the water is hot before the dishwasher heater kicks in. This is an important tip to remember in the winter time as water takes longer to heat up then.

Clean the dishwasher with vinegar

On an empty cycle put some vinegar (200 ml) in the bottom of the machine or fill the rinse aid compartment (not in the same compartment as the dishwasher detergent). Vinegar cleans the insides of dishwashers very well by cleaning out any food particles and leaves them sparkling and fresh.

Use the correct cycle:

Although you may like to use the economical or short cycle most of the time it may not be sensible in some cases where you have many dirty pots and dishes as you will probably have to put them through the cycle again.

Clean the seals of the dishwasher:

After months of use, dirt and grease can build up on the seals and these will then need a good clean.

We hope that these tips will help you keep your dishwasher running smoothly.

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