Your dishwasher has a big responsibility, working hard every day to help you clean up. During the winter, a season in which many people spend a lot of time at home cooking and baking for friends and family, dishwashers can really be put to the test. Following the tips detailed below can help you get the most out of your dishwasher.

Scrape Your Dishes

Dishwashers can clean dishes very well, but they’re not the same as garbage disposals. Before loading your dishes, scrape food particles into the trash can. This way, your dishwasher will have an easier time cleaning them, and food particles won’t obstruct anything in the dishwasher.

Clean the Filter

Your dishwasher’s filter collects food particles and keeps them from interfering with the circulation of water. Since the filter is usually out of the way, somewhere at the bottom of the dishwasher, it’s easy to forget. However, you should remember to check it periodically and clean it as necessary. A clean filter can reduce the chances of foul odors developing and can ensure that water can flow well through the dishwasher.

Wipe Things Down

Given what it does, it may seem like a dishwasher can keep itself clean. This isn’t the case, though. Bits of food, soap scum, grease, and mineral deposits from your water can all build up on the interior surfaces. For this reason, be sure to occasionally wipe down the interior surfaces of your dishwasher. Also, remember to wipe down the gaskets where water can collect.

Run an Empty Cycle

On that note, it’s a good idea to run an empty cycle now and then, using the hottest water setting and possibly a cleaning tablet or vinegar. Running an empty cycle can flush out the system, allowing it to clean more effectively during subsequent loads.

Load It Strategically

To get your dishes as clean as possible, you’ll need to load them in the dishwasher the right way. There are many ways in which you can do so, as long as you pay attention to where the washer jets are located.

Those washer jets spray upward and out from the arm that rotates at the base of the dishwasher, so load bowls upside down and face dishes inwards, toward the center of the dishwasher. Avoid overcrowding the dishes so that water can reach every item. The tines can be very useful, separating dishes and preventing them from moving around.

If you’ve been careful when loading your dishwasher and have cleaned it thoroughly and still notice that it isn’t working as well as it normally does, it may need professional attention. You can contact our team at Rochester Appliance Service if you require dishwasher services in Rochester, MN.