Quick Tips to Maintain Your Dishwasher

You’d be right in thinking that your dishwasher cleans itself fairly well every time you wash a load of dishes. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give it an occasional deep clean, however. Neglecting to maintain your dishwasher can lead to malfunctions, blockages, and may require repairs.

Loads of dishes coming out spotty or still dirty could be a sign that your dishwasher is in need of a routine maintenance check and possibly repairs. If your dishwasher isn’t working as it should, Domestic Appliance Repair should be the first repair service you call. We’ll come down and have your dishwasher back in good working order in no time.

Here are a few helpful tips to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your dishwasher.

1. Use it Regularly

Frequent use of your dishwasher will help to prevent debris from accumulating in one spot over time and may help to break apart areas that are beginning to clog up. The hot water and detergent used to wash your dishes will also give the interior of the dishwasher a decent clean and can help prevent buildup of bacteria and grime.

2. Empty the Dishwasher Prior to Cleaning

It’s important that you run a full cycle then empty the machine completely prior to starting any deep cleaning on your dishwasher. Cutlery and other sharp edges should be properly removed from the machine so they don’t cause any hazards whilst working. If the racks can be removed easily, you may wish to remove them in order to reach the bottom in the even of clogs or an accumulation of food debris.

3. Deep Clean the Spinning Arms

Perhaps the most important component of your dishwasher, the spinning arms within need to be functioning properly in order to clean your dishes well. If the spinning arms aren’t cleaned regularly, they’ll begin to accumulate food debris, which can block the holes and therefore cut off the water spraying onto the dishes. Furthermore, the arms may no longer spin as expected and therefore your dishwasher won’t be able to thoroughly clean all of the dishes inside evenly.

By using a fine piece of wire or another thin object, remove any blockages where the spray should be coming out. Clean and disinfect the spinning arms from time to time as well to eliminate any buildup of bacteria and superficial debris. If the spinning arms aren’t spinning normally after being cleaned, consider calling in a specialist in domestic appliance repair.

4. Deep Clean Inside and Out

Occasional but thorough cleaning isn’t just limited to the spinning arms; be sure to give it a good clean inside and outside to ensure that you’re removing any buildup of debris that the machine just can’t do via regular wash cycles.

Clean the outside with a damp cloth and cleaning solution. Sometimes, dirt and grime can accumulate around the machine and lead to mould and bacteria.

The inside will typically require a more thorough inspection. Give the dish racks, cutlery trays, detergent dispenser, and inner door a deep clean with a cloth and cleaning solution. Most of the larger pieces can be removed by hand, but smaller buildups should be cleaned with a brush or cloth as appropriate.

Don’t forget about the drain, either. The drain on the bottom of the machine is where all the grey water ought to be going and is typically the biggest source of food debris. Remove the drain completely and carefully clean the entire area before putting the drain back in place.

5. Run a Deep Clean Full Cycle

Once you’ve removed all debris from inside the dishwasher, give it a short cycle wash with a more powerful substance to disinfect the machine. White vinegar and lemon juice can be used to provide your machine with a clean slate, and vinegar also has the bonus of being a cost-effective way of dealing with hard water and chalky buildups on the stainless steel.

Call the Experts

Regular deep cleaning can help your dishwasher last a lot longer before needing repairs, but sometimes a simple deep clean just won’t help and you’ll need the assistance of a reliable and experienced specialist. Domestic Appliance Repair has the expertise and reliability to deal with most major brands and makes of dishwashers and other white goods. Don’t take your chances with more technical repairs, call us and we’ll be happy to bring your dishwasher back to life.

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