How to Get the Most Out of Your Dishwasher
I remember the day I got my first dishwasher. I remember being ecstatic. That dishwasher became my best friend, in a way. When I remember all the time it saved me, and all the work that it has done for me, I really have to say that my dishwasher affected my life quite a lot.
But, if you’ve ever had a dishwasher, you know that after some time, some challenges occur. As with any other machine, dishwashers can break. When that happens, you start noticing stains on your dishes; you notice leaks behind the dishwasher, basically – you start noticing obvious signs of malfunction.
Some of these challenges require professional help, but there are some that you can probably fix on your own. Things like cleaning the machine and outside maintenance are as important as learning about how the machine actually works. It’s a bit redundant to say you should regularly clean your dishwasher, however, neglecting this simple task might lead to mould and terrible smells. Aside from simple cleaning, here are some other great tips on how to get the most out of your dishwasher.
Turn On the Hot Water
Your dishwasher needs hot water to properly wash all the dishes. The hotter the water, the cleaner the dishes, and that’s why you need to make sure your dishwasher gets really hot water for the best results. Basically, each load needs to get hot water from the beginning of the cycle.
The easiest way to ensure your dishwasher gets hot water right at the start is to turn on the hot water tap before you turn on your dishwasher. This way, your dishwasher will start getting hot water right off the bat. It won’t have to wait for the cold water to get warmer, and your dishes will get washed with hot water right away. This way your dishes will get cleaned more efficiently.
Scraping is Important
You’ve probably heard about pre-rinsing. Supposedly – it helps with the cleaning process. Well, that’s really not true. The only thing pre-rinsing does is waste your water and decreases the efficiency of the detergent. What you should do instead is scrape your dishes before they go in the dishwasher.
It can be challenging to teach your kids (and sometimes your hubby as well) that they have to scrape off debris and food from their dishes before they put them in the dishwasher. However, you will have to emphasise the importance of scraping. A dishwasher is there to help, but it cannot do everything on its own. When the dishes go in the dishwasher, with a lot of food on them, your dishwasher can get clogged and start to malfunction. Make sure your dishes are scraped before they go in, and your dishwasher won’t get clogged, while your dishes will get cleaned in the best possible way.
Getting a New Dishwasher
When all else fails, and you simply have to replace your old and trusty dishwashing companion, there are some things you need to keep in mind. It’s not that hard to simply go out and buy a new dishwasher; however, installing it may cause some issues.
First of all, your new dishwasher needs both water and electricity. This means you need to be extra careful. Another thing to keep in mind is that there are a lot of homes with old circuit boards and every country has a different type of electrical network. So, you might consider consulting a professional electrician in Brisbane to help you connect your new dishwasher to the home circuit.
Wrapping It Up
Having a dishwasher can really save you quite a lot of time and effort. However, if it’s not maintained properly it cost you quite a penny. Make sure you always follow the instructions and maintain your dishwasher regularly. If you’re afraid there might be a bigger issue with it – call a professional. A properly maintained dishwasher can be one of the most useful appliances you will ever own.
Bio: Patrick Adams is a freelance writer and rock-blues fan. When he is not writing about home improvement, he loves to play chess, watch basketball, and play his guitar. More than anything, he loves to spend his time in his garage, repairing appliances and creating stuff from wood.