A dishwasher saves us a lot of time and work. It is one of those precious appliances that make kitchen chores easier, while saving water and energy. After a while, though, you may notice that your dishwasher has lost its ability to deliver the same level of performance as before. It may even lose some of its cleaning efficiency. To avoid this from happening, it’s important to take good care of your dishwasher. Otherwise, you may need to find an emergency plumber in Tustin or other areas near you.
Fortunately, there are a few simple maintenance tips that will help you to keep your dishwasher in good running condition and prolong its lifespan. In our last article, we presented several basic guidelines, and we continue disclosing the rest.
Monthly routine
Run the dishwasher empty. Run the dishwasher under its hottest wash while empty. This should be a part of your regular maintenance routine. It will keep your dishwasher odor-free. For a stronger effect, place a cup of vinegar on the top rack of your dishwasher before your run the cycle.
Clean the filter. Every dishwasher has a filter or screen meant to trap food particles. You should check it from time to time. It’s simple and it takes only a few minutes to clean it. And it will make your dishwasher perform more efficiently. Depending on how often you use your dishwasher, the filter should be cleaned at least every few months. Some manufacturers recommend cleaning more often, so make sure you check the owner’s manual.
Internal filters are usually located at the bottom of the dishwasher. Wash out the filter under a running tap and gently scrub off the food residue with a plastic brush. Bigger filter traps can be rinsed under hot water. Make sure that the heating element has cooled down before you reach into the appliance.
Fill the rinse aid dispenser. The heat dry option performs better with rinse aid. Without rinse aid, there will be excessive moisture in the dishwasher interior and on your dishes, too. Filling the rinse aid dispenser will also help keep your glasses streak-free.
Six-monthly routine
Clean the spray arms. Debris can become lodged into the spray arms as water circulates. If your dishwasher isn’t cleaning properly, it could be that the spray arms are blocked. You should inspect them for blockages every time you check the filter.
If there are any food deposits, remove the spray arms and soak them in warm vinegar to loosen the clog. You can use a small brush to clean each spray arm individually. Then clean the sprayer with warm water and detergent and wipe it down with a damp towel. You’ll find detailed instructions on how to remove and clean the sprayer in the manufacturer’s manual.
Extra tips
Don’t use hard water. Hard water has a high level of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Over time, these minerals will build up on your appliances, affecting their performance and shortening their lifespan. If you want your dishwasher to work at its best and to avoid chalky streaks and spots on the dishes, you may need to install a water softener.
Fight mold and mildew. According to a study, 62% of dishwashers on six continents are hosting some sort of fungus, including mold and mildew. The rubber door gaskets and other plastic or rubber parts of the dishwasher are ideal places for them to grow. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution, and we already mentioned it: run an empty wash cycle with a cup of vinegar. Researches have shown that vinegar kills 99% of bacteria and 82% of mold species. You can also keep the door ajar when you aren’t using the dishwasher. The ventilation will dry the surfaces so mold won’t be able to grow.
Emergency plumber Tustin
With correct usage and proper maintenance, you may not need to call your emergency plumber in Tustin for quite some time. However, if you do experience problems with your dishwasher or encounter a plumbing emergency of any kind, be sure to get help from your local plumbing professionals.
For more than 15 years, Emergency Home Solutions has been providing water damage restoration and other emergency and restoration services to Orange County residents. Whenever the emergency occurs, know that we are ready to handle it. Just call us at (949) 356-0405 and we’ll be there in no time!