Dishwasher Maintenance
Basically, the operating life of your dishwasher depends on how you use it. If you want your dishwasher to last for prolonged time, it is important that you follow the correct instructions with regard to loading the dishwasher, the type of detergent used and the rinse aid that you will use. Read our article How to use dishwasher? to know more information.
If your dishwasher has to use hard water, the lime-scale build-up can occur and block the water jets. So, you need to use dishwasher salt that helps to soften the water. There can be periodical clog up in the drain hose or the electric motor may go out of order at times. So, your dishwasher needs cleaning and maintenance on regular basis. Here are some maintenance tips that can help you to prolong the life of your dishwasher:
To clean main filter (strainer), remove it from the dishwasher, clean it with simple detergent and rinse it under running water.
The spray arms get clogged up often, so you need to clean them every week. Remove one spray at a time and clean it thoroughly. If there is mineral build-up or food clogging it, use soft brush or tooth pick to remove it.
Every week, check the rinse aid level and also run the dishwasher without loading dishes. While using vinegar as rinse aid, make sure that it is added in small amount (not more than 5%).
If hard water is used (more than 4° Clarke), the water softener unit in the dishwasher requires proper dishwasher salt. Make sure that you use dishwasher salt recommended for use in domestic dishwasher. Don’t use salts which are not recommended for use as they may clog the softener and can damage it. Just follow these instructions when you check
- Remove the lower rack from the dishwasher.
- Open the dishwasher salt container.
- Pour the salt into the salt container using the funnel. Make sure that the salt indicator is laid on the top of salt.
- While closing the container, make sure that it is air tightly closed so that salt cannot dissolve in the wash water.
- After filling the container salt granules, run the machine without dishes in the machine. This will flush out the salt water from the dishwasher.
Using hard water results in the formation of mineral deposits in the dishwasher that eventually leads to blocking of water and lower operational life. If water is too soft, it leads to the formation of detergent layer and bacterial growth in dishwasher.
So, you will need to use limescale and detergent remover once a month and this will remove limescale, oil, and detergent residue. This will also make your dishwasher more hygienic, better its working condition and increase its operating life.
By the time you have used your dishwasher for six months or months, the machine would have had lot of wear and tear so the parts of dishwasher need your inspection. If needed, you would replace some of their parts. The door seal needs to be checked and cleaned. Inspect the condition of drain hoses for leaks or cracks, if they are too defective, replace them. You may also use some specialty cleaner for your dishwasher.
- If the filter or strainer has developed holes, replace it with new one. A defective filter can damage the electric pump.
- Check the spray arms for defects like holes or cracks.
