Having a dishwasher at home is a blessing. Using a dishwasher not only saves you time and effort from washing dishes manually, but also ensures utmost hygiene standards. It’s best to leave the chore to the machine, as the dishwasher uses hot water (145°F) to wash the utensils, thereby killing all germs and maintaining highest levels of sanitization.

Over a period of time, your dishwasher may start giving trouble where the machine becomes noisy, the water starts leaking out, and your dishes may remain dirty & stained. This is not a very favorable scenario to work with! Thus, proper maintenance and regular care is a must to keep it in top-class running condition and extend its longevity to about 10-13 years.

Here are some tips to follow to keep your dishwasher in shape and your dishes spotless every time you start a washing cycle.

Clear the Drain and Wash the Filter

 Just like you clean the drain of your basin, the dishwasher’s drainage function also needs some cleaning. The drain is a filter which catches food & debris from the utensil and may therefore get clogged. To prevent this clogging, reach out to the base of the dishwasher to locate the screen (which catches big debris) and cylindrical filter (which catches grease). Use a paper towel to clean the clogged sediments from the filter & screen mesh, before you run it under tap water. Re-install the two back to their position. This manual cleaning process should be scheduled at least once a month, for optimal efficiency & keep stinky odor out of the way.  

Wipe with a Cloth

 The doors and walls of the dishwasher need some cleaning to wipe out sediments of food particles and residue that has settled on the surfaces. Dip the cloth in soap solution and follow a circular motion to wipe clean the interiors. Take another dry rag and simply go over the process to clear off the soap from the surface. You can also use a toothbrush to reach the corners and tiny crevices to remove all evidences.

Use Hot Water and Vinegar

Vinegar has always been a tried & tested formula when it comes to cleaning kitchen appliances and countertops. Its acidity breaks down grease, grime, & dirt easily, and adds a layer of shiny luster to the surfaces. However, there is a technique to run the dishwasher cycle with vinegar and over usage may cause more harm than good. Fill a bowl 2/3 capacity with white vinegar and place it on the top rack. Now prepare to run the cycle with hot water and let the vinegar work its magic. Remember, besides the bowl of vinegar, the machine should not be loaded with any other utensils or crockery. The vinegar will break down and remove all those stubborn stains, leaving your dishwasher as fresh as before.

Rinse the Racks

It’s always better to carefully remove the racks that hold the utensils and place it under running water to clean the particles between its rods. Further, it is better to soak these racks in hot water and leave it to rest for about an hour or two, for additional sanitation. Once it is completely dried, re-assemble the racks back on and you’re good to go.

Keep It Functional

Finally, the last, but most important tip is to keep the dishwasher running and functional, by at least running the cycle once a week. The less you use it, the more likely it is to break down faster. Not using it for prolonged time may affect the functioning of the motor, leading to bigger problems later.

It’s now time to get your hands dirty and undertake precautionary measures for maintaining the healthy functioning of your dishwasher. If you are reluctant to do the job yourself, simply reach out to our expert home maintenance technicians in Dubai and get your appliances serviced without any hassle.