When cleaning your dishes and cutlery with your dishwasher, we want to get the best results. In this article we highlight how to get the best performance from your dishwasher.
Choose the right programme
It is always important to choose the right programme for the load size and items you are cleaning. For example, your dishwasher may have a cycle specifically for crockery and glass which is a more gentle wash, providing effective cleaning for these items. Similarly, you may have a longer cycle to help wash items that are heavily soiled.
Rinsing dishes before the wash
We would recommend always giving your plates a rinse to remove any excess food or debris before putting them into the dishwasher. This will allow the cleaning to be more thorough as it doesn’t need to work harder to remove stubborn debris.
Correctly loading the appliance
When loading your dishwasher, you should always take care to load it correctly. This means organising correctly so that all dishes are slotted into the racking. If they are not and are slotted on top of each other, the cleaning will not be efficient as the surface of the plate will be covered.
Using dishwasher tablets
It is recommended to use dishwasher tablets where necessary. This is because the dishwasher tablets make the water in the appliance more efficient at washing away debris. This works by breaking down the food which is then washed away in the water.
Filling salt and rinse aid
The performance of the dishwasher can be affected by the salt and rinse aid. This should be topped up where possible. This is because the salt softens the water in the appliance and the rinse aid lowers the surface tension to increase the water’s wetting properties. Depending on your model, you may be able to adjust the salt level to meet the water hardness your area. Filling this regularly prevents water marks being left on dishes and cutlery and will leave the items sparkling after a wash.
Regularly cleaning the filter
The filter should be cleaned regularly as part of the general maintenance of the appliance. The reason for this is that food debris can build up in the filtration system. If this isn’t removed, then this can cause drainage issues or may result in poor cleaning results, such as streaky marks or an unpleasant smell.
Cleaning the spray arms
You should regularly remove and clean the spray arms on your dishwasher. This is because the spray arms will help to spray the water to clean. If the spray arms are dirty, they will be less effective at cleaning dishes and cutlery.
Using dishwasher cleaner
You may also wish to try dishwasher cleaner to keep the inside clean. To do this, you can use a generic shop-bought dishwasher cleaner. Typically, the steps are as follows:
- Empty the dishwasher so there is nothing left.
- Remove the cap off the bottle of the dishwasher and ensure the wax plug is exposed.
- Place the cleaner bottle upside down inside the bottom basket.
- Close the dishwasher door.
- Put the machine on the hottest cycle.
- Once the cycle is complete, turn the dishwasher off.
Overall, your dishwasher will generally perform better when kept as clean as possible. By following our guidance, you can improve your dishwasher’s performance. For more help on any cleaning, you can view our video on top tips if your dishwasher is not cleaning properly here. You can shop all dishwashers here.