Over half of all Australians own a dishwasher or have them in their home. It is a very convenient tool to use when you do not feel like washing your dishes completely by hand. This is why when a dishwasher is not cleaning your dishes the right way and you notice caked-up food or dirty silverware, it can throw your home off guard.
Why is the dishwasher not cleaning properly? How do you make sure a dishwasher can do its job?
These are some of the reasons your dishwasher is not cleaning properly and what you can do about it.
You Need to Clean Your Dishwasher
Yes, you read that right; a dishwasher also has to be cleaned once in a while. When you don’t remove these items from the drain or filter located inside it, you risk the drain in the machine getting clogged and not cleaning your dishes in the correct manner.
Look inside your dishwasher to find the filter and remove any old food that may be stuck to it. To remove any grime, hard water, and calcium that has built up over time, try using vinegar and baking soda when you are washing the dishwasher.
The Spray Arm is Clogged
The arm at the bottom of your dishwasher also deserves some care. One big reason your dishwasher is not cleaning properly could be that the spray arms might have food, debris, or scale build-up from previous detergent uses.
When looking to clean them, remove the lower dishwasher rack. Then, you unscrew the spray arms counter-clockwise. When you go that, the spray arm should detach.
If there are any holes in your spray arms that your sponge cannot get to, use steel wire or steel cable to clear out those small holes.
You Use the Wrong Detergent
The mistake most people do is adding ten to fifteen times the amount of detergent they actually need. This is because dishwashers do not use a lot of water, so if you add too much soap, you can end up with a big, sudsy mess.
Always look at your dishwasher’s manual for information about which detergents would best work inside the machine. In there, you will see if gel-based, powder-based, or pod detergents will get the job done. Whatever you do, don’t use dish soap as a replacement for detergent.
Find Why Your Dishwasher is Not Cleaning Properly
Not knowing why your dishwasher is not cleaning properly can be annoying and make cleaning dishes even more of a chore. When you look at the reasons a dishwasher is not cleaning in the right way, you can fix it sooner and get back to squeaky clean plates.
If your dishwasher is still causing you trouble after taking these tips into account, one of our technicians will help you get to the root of the problem. Let us help you fix your appliances so you can use them for years to come stress-free. Contact Unit Appliance today to learn more about our services.