Nobody enjoys washing dishes by hand and dishwashers have become a staple of most kitchens. No matter how much experience you have using a dishwasher, you may still be making these extremely mistakes. While many of these issues are common and may not seem like a big deal, they can lead to issues with the machine and even damage to your dishes. The follow tips and adjustments can be of valuable assistance in reaching an optimal clean while caring for your dishes and your machine.
General Dishwasher Loading Tips
For starters, there are a few basic steps you can follow to get an ideal clean every time you run your dishwasher. Instead of loading a single item at a time, rinse every item out and stack them in your sink in batches which will allow you to position the items better in relation to one another. If you’re single or don’t frequently fill your dishwasher, consider hand-washing most items.
Fragile items, bowls, cups, and glasses should be set on the top rack. If you have large utensils, like a whisk or a serving spoon, lay those flat on the side of the top rack as well. On the bottom rack, arrange your large and small plates to face the center spray, as well as pots, pans, and silverware. Cookie sheets, flat pans, and pan lids should be placed on the back edge of the bottom dishwasher rack so as not to block the sprayer arm’s reach.
Mistakes to Correct
- Overloading the racks. Overloading your dishwasher racks prevents the water and cleaner from reaching the surface of each items, allowing stubborn food particles to get left behind. In addition, items can knock against one another and chip, warp, or even break. Instead of piling items in your dishwasher, save any that don’t comfortably fit on your counter to run with the next load.
- Placing items that aren’t dishwasher-safe inside. Whether you have a “just one time won’t hurt” policy every once in a while, or regularly toss all of your dishes and utensils in the dishwasher regardless of their original care instructions, items are marked as unsafe for the dishwasher for a reason. Delicate glass, wooden items, cast-iron pans, and copper pots should all be washed by hand and air dried, as they can become damaged in the dishwasher.
- Washing sharp knives in the dishwasher. The action of the jets and the hot water will cause your blades to become dull much faster than they would otherwise. Wash sharp knives by hand instead and dry them on the counter on a clean towel.
- Nesting forks and spoons together. Forks and spoons are particularly vulnerable to having food particles left behind. To prevent that, you may to make sure the spray can reach them adequately. Alternate the direction that these utensils are facing to achieve an optimal clean.
Adjusting a few aspects of the way you load and use your dishwasher can go a long way in extending its longevity and preventing wear and tear to your dishes. If you identify an issue with your dishwasher’s performance or you suspect that it’s not operating correctly, it’s best to contact an experienced appliance repair team. For further advice or to schedule a service call, contact CS Appliance Service at (781) 953-9600. You can also visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CSApplianceService/.