For you to avoid spending a lot of money on dishwasher repair and ensure the dishwasher is functioning optimally, you need to take good care of your unit. You do this by:
Using the dishwasher
It might sound absurd that one of the ways of maintaining the dishwasher is using it. Have you come across a car that hasn’t been used for months? It was coming apart, right? The same thing happens to the dishwasher when you don’t use it for a long time.
Regular use of the dishwasher also prevents debris from settling at the bottom leading to clogs. When cleaning the dishes, you also clean the dishwasher; therefore, you don’t have to keep on cleaning it.
Even if your kitchen isn’t too active, ensure you run the dishwasher once a day.
Cleaning the kitchen appliance
Do you clean your bathtub? Just as you have to clean it, you also have to clean the dishwasher. To get rid of any buildup, run a load with just vinegar. Fill a bowl with vinegar and place it at the top shelf in the dishwasher. Also, consider pouring some vinegar at the bottom.
This cycle breaks dirt or debris that might be present.
To clean the inner surfaces, use a warm rag and household cleaner. When cleaning the dishwasher, pay attention to the space between the door and bottom of the tub as food particles collect here leading to mold growth.
If there are food particles, paper pieces, or other debris at the spray arms, remove them using a sewing needle or pipe cleaner. Some homeowners use a toothpick. Don’t do this as the tip can break inside the wash arm.
Loading it correctly
Overloading the dishwasher happens when you are in a busy kitchen, or you are looking to save energy. Regardless of the number of dishes you have, don’t load more than the dishwasher can handle.
Cramming large loads restricts the water spray patterns, which prevents proper cleaning of the dishes. As a result, you have to rewash the dishes. This not only leads to time wastage, but it also wastes a lot of water.
Paying attention to the filters
Many people will clean the other parts of the dishwasher but fail to pay attention to the filters. Dishwashers have filters located near the bottom or under the lower spray arm.
Inspect the filters and clean them if dirty. Clean the filter by shaking it out over a trashcan then rinse it under a sink.
If there are holes or other forms of damage to the filter, cleaning it won’t be of much value—you have to replace it. Replacing the filter not only ensures that the unit can catch the debris; it also protects the dishwasher’s pump and motor seals from damage.
Inspecting the spray arms
Do you live in an area with hard water? Chances are that plenty of minerals have built-up around the spinning parts of the washer. To clean the spray arms, use a pipe cleaner around the holes. If a lot of minerals have built-up in the arms, soak the arms in vinegar.
Be cautious when moving the arms as they aren’t meant to be removed easily. The arms are hard to remove requiring you to use force. This puts them at the risk of getting damaged.
During the cleaning, you might find problems with them. To fix the issues, ask appliance repair Fairfax professionals to look into them.
For you to get the most from the repair professional, ensure he/she is experienced enough on dishwasher repairs. The professional should also be certified to work in your local area.
