How to Maintain your Dishwasher and Avoid Repairs

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You count on your dishwasher to leave your dishes clean and sanitary. So unless you enjoy doing them by hand, you’ll want to keep your dishwasher in top condition. Here are a few things you can do in order to prevent repairs and keep your appliance operating at peak efficiency.

Inspect and Replace the Gasket

Your dishwasher contains a rubber gasket surrounding your door. Over time, this gasket can break down, leaving your appliance vulnerable to leaks. Fortunately, this is something most people find easy to replace. If not, a call to The Appliance Doctor can easily resolve this issue.

Cleaning the Spray Arm

Your dishwasher’s spray arm can become clogged with sediment, limescale, or mineral deposits. When this happens, water flow may be impeded, resulting in dishes that do not come clean. To resolve this issue, remove the spray arm and allow it to soak in a solution of white vinegar overnight. Rinse and replace the spray arm, and it should work as good as new again.

Load your Dishwasher Properly

When you have more dirty dishes than usual, it can be tempting to try and stuff them all into a single load. Be advised that when doing so, you are putting more strain than necessary on your dishwasher. Repeated overloading is hard on your appliance, as it causes it to work harder than usual. As such, it may, therefore, result in your dishwasher wearing out faster.

You might also notice leaks because an overly full dishwasher results in excess water in the bottom. This extra water has to go somewhere, and usually that place is onto the floor or underneath your dishwasher.

Scraping vs. No Scraping

Older dishwasher models may become clogged if you do not scrape your dishes first. On the other hand, more modern units actually function better if you do not rinse or scrape them first. That’s because they have a soil sensor that helps the appliance determine how much water to use. This sensor will also determine the length of the washing cycle.

Knowing whether you should scrape your dishes will help your appliance operate more efficiently. In turn, this means less stress on your dishwasher and ultimately fewer repairs. Regardless of whether or not you scrape, you should nonetheless inspect and clean your unit’s screens and filters on a regular basis. Replace your screens if they develop holes, and install new filters whenever the old ones become too dirty to clean.

Using the Right Amount of Soap

Many people believe that if a little dishwasher detergent is good, then a lot is even better. That’s not necessarily the case, as adding too much detergent may actually harm your machine. Extra detergent is not always used, and may, therefore, lead to build-up inside your dishwasher. This build-up could get into your motor or electrical components and cause them to malfunction.

Clean your Dishwasher Monthly

Grease, grime, and even mildew could be lurking inside your dishwasher. That’s why you should clean your dishwasher on a monthly basis. To do so, empty it completely and then use a commercial cleaning product especially for this appliance.

You might also place a cup of white vinegar on your top rack and then run it through a complete cycle. Sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of your dishwasher for extra cleaning power.

Contact Us for Dishwasher Repairs and Service in Knoxville

Following these tips will keep your dishwasher in the best shape possible. Even so, it will not prevent all dishwasher repairs. If you still require repairs or service and are in the Knoxville, TN area, please contact us.

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