The 411 On Maintaining And Using Your New Dishwasher

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Owning a home comes with many challenges, but with proper care, your house can be a worthwhile investment. While you may clean the interior weekly and mow the lawn periodically, maintaining your appliances is also necessary to protect your home's function, appeal, and value. Considering that the cost to purchase and install a new dishwasher ranges from $941 to $1285 depending on make and model, maintaining this valuable appliance is smart. Using this guide, you can clean, maintain, and use your dishwasher in an effective, efficient manner.

Clean and Maintain

Your dishwasher is an imperative part of cleaning your pots, pans, and dishes, but it also deserves a thorough cleaning periodically. To remove food particles, detergent build up, and stains from inside your dishwasher, consider the following simple solutions:

• Spray Solution – After unloading your dishwasher, spray a solution containing 1 cup of warm water and 1 cup of white vinegar inside the appliance. Allow the vinegar solution to sit and soak for a few minutes. Run an empty hot-water cycle to rinse away any remaining debris and leftover vinegar solution. Use a clean cloth to wipe away moisture after the load is complete.
• Cycle Solution – Add 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a heat-resistant cup. Place the cup on the top rack of your dishwasher. Do not add any more dishes or cups to the dishwasher. Run a hot-water cycle with only the cup of water and baking soda inside. The baking soda will combine with the heat of the dishwasher water, deodorizing and sanitizing the inside of your dishwasher.

After cleaning, spend some time inspecting the working mechanisms of your dishwasher. Locate the spinning arms, which are located at the bottom or top of your appliance. Check to make sure the arms are able to spin easily and remove any food or debris lodged in between, under, or on top of the arms.

Remove any buildup of food or debris near the dishwasher drain, as well. If debris is left near the drain, clogs may occur, reducing the effectiveness of your dishwasher.

Proper Use

Many modern dishwashers are able to remove food residue from dishes, cups, and pans, but heavy build up can be challenging. Before placing inside your dishwasher, rinse off all dinnerware, utensils, glasses, and pots. Soak pans in hot water to remove heavy or burnt-on residue before loading into the dishwasher.

The jetted sprays will need to reach each part of dishes, glasses, pans, and utensils, so proper loading is also important. Use the following tips to ensure your items will receive an effective wash:

• Plates/Bowls/Platters – Load plates, bowls, and platter with the dirtier side facing the sprayer arms of your dishwasher. Larger plates, bowls, platters, and pans should go in the back of the dishwasher or sides, ensuring the washing jets are able to reach them.
• Pots/Pans – Be sure pots and pans are angled down towards the jets. Arrange them in the back or middle part of the racks so the detergent and jets make direct contact with the inside of pots and pans.
• Glasses/Cups – The top rack is best for glasses and cups, since the jets will be able to reach inside their interior. To reduce water spots, angle glasses and cups down in between the tines of your dishwasher rack.
• Utensils – Your dishwasher should have a specialized caddy for utensils. Place forks, spoons, and knives into the caddy to keep them contained during the wash cycle.

Proper cleaning, care, and use of your dishwasher will ensure the appliance stands the test of time. Using these simple solutions, your dishwasher will operate in an effective, efficient manner.

If you run into any major issues, contact professional repair companies, such as Automatic Appliance, as they will have the proper knowledge and tools to fix your dishwasher.

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22 March 2016