Your dishwasher can help you clean your dishes much faster without using a lot of water.Keeping it clean and using it correctly will lead to cleaner dishes and quicker cycle times in the kitchen.To keep your dishwasher in tip top shape, keep these tips in mind as you clean it.
Step 1: The temperature of your water heater should be between 120 and 125 F.
Before running your dishwasher, you should double check your water heaters to make sure they don't start out at a lower temperature.For the most optimal wash temperature, try to keep it between 120 and 125 F.It won't be possible to remove grease and food from your dishes if your water is too cold.The food will get stuck instead of rinsing off if you turn your water heating up too high.
Step 2: It's a good idea to remove large bits of food from your dishes.
Before you put your dishes in the dishwasher, try to get rid of any large food scraps.It will make it easier for the dishes to be clean, and it will reduce the chance that your dishwasher gets stuck.If you have a compost bin, you can put food scraps into it.
Step 3: Load items that are dishwasher safe.
Not all dishes are dishwasher safe.If the bottom of the dish doesn't say "dishwasher-safe", you may need to wash it by hand.If you put non-dishwasher-safe dishes in your dishwasher, the heat of the water could cause them to warp.
Step 4: Don't overload the dishwasher.
If you want to avoid wasting water, fill your dishwasher up completely.Plates, bowls, large pans, cups, and silverware should be put in the flatware basket.The dishwasher is probably too full if you stack dishes on top of each other.For the most thorough cleaning, split your load into 2 smaller loads.This is applicable for silverware as well.If you have a lot of silverware in a basket, they won't get clean during the wash.
Step 5: The detergent should be put up to the fill line.
Put the dishwasher detergent into the soap dispensers.To avoid overloading the cycle with soap, fill liquid detergent up to the fill line.It's a bad idea to use normal dish soap in the dishwasher as it can suds up too much.Hard water or water with a lot of minerals can be found on your dishes.Adding a rinse aid to your detergent can thin it out.
Step 6: Pick a heavy cycle for dirty dishes.
If your dishes are dirty, you won't be able to save time with a quicker cycle.Pick a heavy, normal, or light cleaning cycle if you want to make sure your dishes are clean.If your dishes need a quick rinse without soap, most dishwashers have a rinse only cycle.
Step 7: It's a good idea to wash the outside of your dishwasher.
If your dishwasher is made of plastic, use soap and hot water to clean it.If it is made of steel, spray glass cleaner onto a soft cloth or paper towel and wipe it down.From general kitchen use, the outside of your dishwasher can get messy.
Step 8: The dishwasher trap needs to be wiped out every week.
Pull out the bottom rack of your dishwasher and remove the lid.Clean the parts in the sink with warm, soapy water.Food scraps can't make it down the drain and are collected by the dishwasher trap.A funky smell can come from your dishwasher if food scraps build up.
Step 9: The spray arm needs to be removed once a month.
The spray arm is on the base of your dishwasher.Take it to your sink and wash it with warm soapy water.To remove food scraps from the spray arm holes, use a toothpick or wooden skewer.It is important to keep the spray arm clean and free of debris.
Step 10: The dishwasher door needs to be cleaned every month.
Take a clean towel and open your dishwasher.Run it along the rubber seal around the door of the dishwasher to get rid of food scraps.It will help your dishwasher seal better.The area around the soap door can be wiped down.
Step 11: You can run it through your dishwasher.
Place the white vinegar in the center of the bottom rack by pouring it into a clean bowl.If you don't want to add detergent, turn your dishwasher onto the hottest setting and let it complete the cycle.The dishwasher can be left smelling and looking fresh by using the vinegar.Hard water can be removed with the help of vinaigrette.You can get a bottle of commercial dishwasher cleaner.