Zeisler says the biggest problem he sees is people washing candlestick holders. It can clog the filter and ruin the pump." "Car parts are greasy, and the dishwasher and detergent aren’t made to handle this kind of grease. You might find videos online that suggest you use the dishwasher to clean car parts. “You don’t want to run partial loads either, for the same reason.”Ĩ. “Mechanical parts wear out the more they are used,” says CR’s Ciufo. You’ll have to rewash your dishes, running the machine unnecessarily, which whittles away the life span of the machine. Cramming too much into one load will restrict the water spray patterns and prevent proper cleaning. Imagine the pump is the heart of the dishwasher and rust flakes are like plaque buildup, threatening the system with an inevitable clot and full-system shutdown.ħ. Otherwise, the racks could corrode and allow small shards of rusty metal to enter the pump, says Chris Zeisler, technical service supervisor at. If the plastic coating wears off, repair it as soon as possible with vinyl paint or replacement tine tips. Unscrew the center wash arm from the bottom of the top rack using a Phillips head screwdriver.Ħ. If you need to remove the spray arms to clean them, the bottom one should lift off its base with a gentle tug. “It can affect the spray pattern and how well the dishwasher does its job.” “You want to be gentle and make sure not to deform the hole,” says Larry Ciufo, who runs CR’s dishwasher test lab. If you see food debris clogging a spray nozzle, gingerly try to remove it with a toothpick or pipe cleaner. Every few months, check the holes in the wash arms-spray nozzles-to make sure they’re clean and unobstructed. The salt also helps prevent mineral buildup in the dishwasher.ĥ. This improves cleaning, by helping to prevent spotting and clouding. Follow package directions for removing hard-water film from your dishwasher.īosch’s Tarrant also suggests using a regeneration salt in the water-softening system of the dishwasher if you live in an area with hard water. He recommends using a citric-acid-based dishwasher cleaner, such as Affresh or Finish, to remove the deposits monthly. These deposits look like a cloudy film on your dishes and the interior of your machine, and you may notice the rack rails and wheels moving with resistance, according to Hofmann. If you live in an area with hard water, the inside of your dishwasher is likely to develop mineral films and discoloration. Richard Tarrant, director of dish care for Bosch and Thermador, says to avoid using bleach-based wipes, harsh chemicals, scouring pads, and anything abrasive on a stainless door and tub.Ĥ. Buildup can cause odors, lead to mold growth, and potentially keep the door from sealing properly. As needed, use a rag and white vinegar to clean the seal between the dishwasher door and the tub, where residue and food particles collect. Otherwise, they can damage the pump impeller and motor seals, which are costly parts to repair.ģ. It’s fine to use soft sponges and warm soapy water for stubborn food bits, but abrasive brushes or steel wool can damage the filter.Īnd if you find any holes, replace the filter immediately to prevent seeds or bits of bone from slipping through and into the pump. Rinse the filter under running water until it’s free of debris. Remove the bottom rack and you should find a plastic cylinder that you can unscrew to lift out (if it’s not there, consult the dishwasher manual). “A telltale sign it’s time is when you notice a decrease in wash performance or dishes feel gritty,” he says. Adam Hofmann, director of dishwasher engineering at GE Appliances, says to do this every month or so, and more often if necessary. The remaining stuck-on food has to go somewhere, and unless your dishwasher has an old-school food grinder, you’ll have to clean the filter manually. These hard bits can clog the drain hose, tear the filter, or damage the pump.Ģ. Most dishwashers don’t require a prerinse, but be sure to scrape off bones, toothpicks, and other solid items before loading your dishes. Basics aside, work these eight expert-backed strategies into your kitchen routine, too, and chances are you’ll further optimize your dishwasher’s longevity.ġ. From how best to load your dishwasher to how best to clean it, you’ll find the fundamental details you need to lessen wear and tear on your particular model while getting your dishes as clean as possible. Using a dishwasher may seem intuitive, but all the repair technicians and dishwasher manufacturers we reached out to agree: A thorough read through your machine’s instruction manual is worth the time and effort.
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