Dishwasher Maintenance
Same day dishwasher repair
No matter how careful you are, sometimes machines just break. In the event you ever need your dishwasher repaired, we hope that you will call us.
We have put together a list of tips, pointers and advice to hopefully prevent or limit the need for costly repairs.
10 Tips & Pointers for Maintaining Your Dishwasher
- Run the hot water in the sink near the dishwasher before starting it. This way, even during the first cycle the water is at or near the design temperature of 120°F. If the water isn’t at least 60°F, the soap won’t dissolve.
- Promptly repair any cuts or chipped plastic coating on racks to prevent rust.
- Use steel wool to remove rust and cap the damaged rack tines with slip-on rubber tips. You can get a rack or tine repair kit from the manufacturer for around $9.
- Load the dishwasher correctly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Use only dishwasher detergent in recommended amounts.
- Do not put any other cleaning compound inside dishwasher (laundry detergent, liquid dish detergent), as it may create suds and overflow among other things.
- Store your detergent in a dry, cool place, and do not keep extra packages on hand for a long time as it takes up moisture from the air and then loses cleaning ability.
- Two times a year Lift out the strainer and clean it with warm soapy water and a soft-plastic scrubby pad.
- Remove the spray arm and clean it out by poking a piece of stiff wire through the holes. After that, shake the spray arm to make sure nothing is inside. Lastly, scrub any mineral deposits off the spray arm with hot distilled white vinegar. The cap holding the shower arm in place is typically reverse-threaded, which means you should turn it clockwise to remove it. Be careful not to drop the nut or washer into the motor.
- When you run a regular wash cycle, place a small container filled with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar in both the dish rack (lower) and the cup rack (upper); the dishwasher will disperse the vinegar during the wash cycle. This dissolves mineral accumulation and soap residue throughout the dishwasher, especially at the hinges where rust-causing buildup occurs.
