Protect your dishwasher: Top tips to avoid common mistakes

A dishwasher is one of the most important appliances in the home. Thanks to this humble device, daily chores become much easier, and we save time and money. We can also forget about standing by the sink and hand-washing piles of dirty dishes after each meal. However, following a few rules is worth keeping the dishwasher looking new for years.

It's a good idea to check the dishwasher filter and remove any food residues every few weeks. A clogged filter is an issue for washing efficiency and a source of unpleasant odors. It is also advisable to regularly check the condition of the seals and the device's doors. Leaks can lead to water spills; no one wants to deal with a flooded kitchen.

To ensure the dishwasher functions properly for a long time, you should use products exclusively dedicated to it, such as dishwasher pods or rinse aids. You should not even think about pouring dishwashing liquid into the dishwasher. Anyone who has made this mistake knows what it involves. What can happen? A sea of foam can spill from even the smallest gap, which is hard to clean up. This can damage the appliance and flood the room.

To disinfect the dishwasher, it's a good idea to occasionally run an "empty wash" with just detergent, selecting a high-temperature program. This procedure will help clean the appliance's interior and remove deposits accumulating in the corners.

Incorrectly stacking plates in the dishwasher is a common problem that can significantly reduce washing effectiveness. A huge mistake is stacking plates on top of each other. This blocks water access to the surfaces of the dishes, resulting in uneven cleaning.

The direction of placing dishes is crucial. Plates should be arranged so that their dirty side faces the lower part of the appliance. This way, detergent and water can freely access all dirt and effectively remove it.

Heavily soiled dishes, especially plates or pots, often require pre-rinsing to remove food residues. Unrinsed leftovers can accumulate in the filter, contributing to its gradual clogging. A non-functioning filter means lower water pressure and weaker washing results. This is a direct path to dirty dishes after the wash cycle, and the filter is completely clogged.

In the worst-case scenario, the drain may become clogged, and the dishwasher may malfunction. Spending an extra moment removing food residues from the dishes is better than spending considerable money on costly appliance repairs later.