How to use Dishwasher
Dishwasher cleans and rinses the dishes all by itself. However, for effective washing of dishes, there are three important things that you need to consider. They are:
- Loading of dishwasher properly.
- Using the correct detergent.
- Using rinse-aid for safety of machine.
Loading dishwasher
Overloading your dishwasher may affect its working condition as well as shorten its life. Here are some guidelines for correctly loading your dishwasher:
- As you load dishwasher, make sure that food sticking to the plates is removed and also remember to soak the dishes before switching on the machine.
- Place heavier and larger things together on the lower rack while the smaller and fragile items should be arranged on the upper rack.
- While you place glasses and cups, make sure that they are upside down in the dishwasher. This will ensure that water is not collected in them.
- Cutlery should be arranged separately from dishes. Likewise, glasses should be carefully loaded and should not touch each other so that they do not break. Make sure that very small items are placed in cutlery basket.
- Remember to see that no items are out of place from the racks. As the spray arm will be spinning at the centre, any protruded item can halt the machine and can also cause damage to your dishwasher. Similarly, make sure that dishes do not prevent detergent dispenser from opening automatically after you switch on.
- Keep the dishes made of different metals separate and this will ensure that they do not get eroded in long run.
- Likewise, do not arrange dishes like spoons, bowls of similar shape and size together as this may prevent flow of water inside the dishwasher.
- It is advisable that you clean hard as well as most delicate items by hand.
- Sharp items like knives and forks should be placed in the cutlery basket. Make sure that the handles are down while knives can also be placed on the upper rack with sharp end down.
- While arranging the cutlery, make sure that they are not tightly placed as this will prevent water jets from reaching their surfaces.
- If the cutlery items are too long, they should be arranged down in the top rack so that they do not prevent the spray arm from spinning.
Using the correct detergent
- Avoid using ordinary dish soap as it will produce too much froth. Instead, use the detergent recommended for dishwashers.
- Make sure that correct amount of detergent is used.
- Once a month, place some vinegar in the detergent dispenser and run the machine without dishes. This will help to clean the valves, racks and inner surfaces of dishwasher.
- Use less detergent, when it gives out too much froth.
Rinse-aid
Rinse-aid prevents the formation of blotches on the dishes during the drying cycle. It is placed in the rinse-aid dispenser and gets released when the machine rinses water and helps water to flow off the surfaces of dishes so there are no marks left on them.
Here are some guidelines that you can follow to ensure that your dishwasher produces best results:
- Always use rinse aid recommended for use in your dishwasher type.
- While using vinegar as rinse aid, make sure that you pour vinegar as little as 5 % or less. Remember, your dishwasher can be damaged when you use such rinse aids beyond the recommended amounts.
- If needed, have a look at the top up of your dishwasher or glass window next to the rinse aid dispenser to find instructions.
