Dishwasher care: Simple tips to increase lifespan and efficiency

The dishwasher is one of the most important appliances in the home. Thanks to this unassuming device, daily chores become much easier. It saves us time and money, allowing us to forget about standing by the sink and manually washing a pile of dirty dishes after every meal. However, following a few rules is important to keep the dishwasher looking like new for years.

It's worthwhile to check the dishwasher filter and remove any food remnants every few weeks. A clogged filter affects washing efficiency and becomes a source of unpleasant odours. It's also wise to regularly inspect the condition of the gaskets and the appliance's doors. Leaks can lead to water spills; no one wants to deal with a flooded kitchen.

To ensure the dishwasher works properly for a long time, use products designed specifically for this appliance, such as dishwasher capsules or rinse aids. Never consider pouring dishwashing liquid into the dishwasher. Anyone who has made this mistake knows what it entails: a sea of foam overflowing from every small gap, which is difficult to eliminate. This can result in equipment damage and flooding.

To disinfect the dishwasher, it's worth running an "empty wash" with only detergent from time to time, using a high-temperature program. This procedure will help clean the appliance's interior and remove deposits accumulating in the corners.

Incorrectly arranging plates in the dishwasher is a common problem that can significantly reduce washing efficiency. A major mistake is placing plates on top of each other. This blocks water access to the dish surfaces, resulting in uneven cleaning.

The key is the direction of placement of the dishes. Plates should be arranged with their dirty side facing the bottom of the appliance. This way, detergent and water can freely reach all the dirt and effectively remove it.

Heavily soiled dishes, especially plates or pots, often require pre-rinsing to remove food remnants. Unwashed debris can accumulate in the filter, gradually clogging it. An inefficient filter means lower water pressure and weaker washing results. This is a simple path to having dishes still dirty after the wash cycle ends and the filter completely blocked.

In the worst-case scenario, the drain can become blocked, leading to a dishwasher malfunction. It's better to spend an extra moment removing food scraps from dishes than to spend considerable money on costly appliance repairs later.