Learn why it pays to keep cleaning appliances clean.
It may sometimes seem counter-intuitive to clean appliances that are themselves used for cleaning! After all, if all the dishes inside the dishwasher are clean at the end of the cycle, how can the unit itself be dirty?
In reality, dishwashers can get dirty and they do need to be cleaned every so often to ensure the best possible performance. Here are the main activities you need to cover.
Clean the Dishwasher Trap
First and foremost, you need to keep that dishwasher drain trap clean. If you don’t, bits of food debris can marinate in there and start to get really nasty. Not only will this cause odors and reduce the cleaning ability of the dishwasher, if the trap becomes completely clogged you could end up with a dishwasher that won’t drain or even overflows! Then you will certainly need dishwasher repair.
Sanitize the Dishwasher
Even with a clean dishwasher trap, food particles and residue may find other places inside the dishwasher to hide. This can lead to that not-so-fresh-feeling when you open the dishwasher after a cycle, and you may not feel like your dishes have really gotten clean. If your dishwasher has a sanitizing cycle, use it! If not, you can sanitize the dishwasher by running a cycle with nothing inside but a small dish of white vinegar (about 1 cup’s worth).
Clean Dishwasher Seals
One place food particles and soap residue could hide is in the seals around the dishwasher door and around the soap and rinse aid compartments. To keep these seals in good condition and prevent them from requiring premature replacement, give them a swipe with a damp towel every so often.
Remove Stains
If you have hard water, you can easily end up with mineral stains inside your dishwasher. Rusty stains are the worst as they are the most visible. You will obviously want to clean these stains up, but before you do make sure to read your owners’ manual to be sure whatever products you plan to use will not damage the interior finish of the dishwasher.
Clean Sprayer Arm
Another issue that those with hard water may experience is clogged sprayer arm nozzles. This will prevent enough water from reaching your dishes and you may have to re-run the dishwasher several times to get everything clean. Alternatively, you could save electricity and water by checking your sprayer arm and cleaning it as needed.
Call American Appliance Repair for Help
If after cleaning you are still having issues with the proper operation of your dishwasher, please do not hesitate to contact the pros at American Appliance Repair. We can troubleshoot your unit and provide a reliable estimate for the required dishwasher repair. Most problems can be solved fast with our same-day repair service.
