In the old days you had to wash every dish and utensil by hand, but now you can load a dishwasher up and hit start. This household appliance has cut our chore time significantly, but with improper use you can decrease its efficiency and life. Avoid these dishwasher mistakes, or else you’ll be shopping for a new one sooner rather than later.
- A Full Trap – Every dishwasher has a food trap that will collect the debris from your dishes. This trap should be cleaned every couple of days. Many people do not clean this out regularly or at all.
- Hard Water – Living in an area with hard water can be a burden on your dishwasher. Try to avoid a buildup of limescale by cleaning the dishwasher at least once a month with a limescale remover.
- Pre-Rinse – Contrary to popular belief, it is unnecessary to pre-rinse your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. However, each dish should be cleaned off of any large food particles. Big pieces of food can fill the trap up more quickly and may not allow your dishes to clean properly.
- Setting It Just Right – Certain dishes, glasses, and utensils should be cleaned at different temperatures. Doing so will clean them properly, while also saving you money. Set a higher temperature for extremely dirty dishes, and set a lower temperature for things such as glassware.
- Fancy-Free Zone – Dishwashers wash dishes — simple enough, right? While this is true, all dishes are not created equal. Avoid putting any of your fine china into your dishwasher. A dishwasher can discolor, crack, and erode high quality dishes, glasses, and utensils.
Avoiding these dishwasher mistakes can result in cleaner dishes and a longer efficiency out of your appliance. If your dishwasher ever happens to malfunction, or it needs to be serviced, give the pros at Tri-City Heating and Cooling a call! To learn more, or to schedule a service, give us a call at (203) 303-5700.