It’s happened to all of us at one point or another. You go to unload your dishwasher and half the dishes aren’t completely clean. Dishwashers can sometimes leave behind residue and miss spots on your dishes, forcing you to either finish them by hand or run them through again. But don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be that way! In today’s blog here at Lane’s Appliance Repair in Lansing, we go over some tips and tricks you can try to get the most out of your dishwasher and get cleaner dishes — every time.
In some cases, your appliance may require more extensive dishwasher repair to fix the issue. If you suspect that might be the case for your dishwasher, contact us at Lane’s Appliance Repair to schedule your appliance repair service!
Clean it Out
First and foremost, if you want to get better performance out of your dishwasher, start by cleaning it out. This may seem like an obvious solution, but it can dramatically affect the performance of your dishwasher.
Most dishwashers have a drain filter that can be removed and cleaned. Different models have the drain filter in a different location, so consult your specific dishwasher’s owner’s manual to quickly find out where yours lives. Once you’ve found it, pull it and make sure there isn’t anything reducing flow or clogged in any of the pores. If there is, use hot water, dish soap, and a brush or sponge to clean the filter to the best of your abilities. Cleaning the filter can make a world of difference in the performance of your dishwasher and prevent you from needing dishwasher appliance repair service anytime soon.
Another pro tip our team here at Lane’s Appliance Repair in Lansing recommends is to clean out your dishwasher using about one cup of vinegar and running a cycle on empty. This makes is so the dishwasher does the majority of the work for you through its natural cleaning functions.
Avoid Overloading
Another way to maximize the potential of your dishwasher is simply not overloading it. While it may be tempting to stuff as many dishes as can possibly fit in with your superior organization skills, you’ll end up having to rewash quite a few dishes after the cycle is done. You may justify it by saying that you are being more efficient, but how much water are you really saving if you end up having to run your dishes through a second time in the end anyway? There is no magical number of dishes that you can load in one single cycle, but use your best judgment and don’t force things to fit or stack.
Use the Right Setting for the Job
Many modern dishwashers have a plethora of settings to fit practically any situation. Most commonly, there is a light setting, a normal wash, and pots & pans. When you select the appropriate option for the job you need doing, you are going to see better results. For example, if you have some seriously dirty dishes and maybe even a pan or two, utilize the pots & pans function for the deepest clean. This will give you the best chance to get the results you are looking for.
There are times when a certain cycle won’t work properly or at all. In those cases, you don’t have to go out and buy a whole new dishwasher. You can take advantage of our appliance repair service here at Lane’s Appliance Repair in Lansing! Contact us today to schedule your dishwasher repair.
Get Rid of Big Chunks
Modern dishwashers are actually pretty great at getting off tough, dried-on food spots. In most cases, you don’t even have to rinse or presoak. However, it is smart to get rid of large pieces of food that could potentially clog or obstruct your dishwasher’s drain. A quick scrape into the trash can or garbage disposal before you load your dishes into the dishwasher can keep your dishwasher running smooth and draining like a champ.
Check the Hot Water
Water is great at cleaning clothes, dishes, people, anything you need clean really. But there is one thing that cleans even better — hot water. When you want your dishwasher to run its very best, make sure it is getting the hot water it needs. This can be done in a few ways. You can double-check your water heater to make sure it is putting out water that is about 120 degrees. Some people also like to run the sink until the water coming out is hot. This is especially helpful in winter when it takes longer for hot water to reach your dishwasher. Both of these methods can help get your dishwasher the hot water it needs to make sure your dishes come out spotless.
Schedule Appliance in Lansing
At Lane’s Appliance Repair in Lansing, we have years of experience providing quality appliance repair services! Whether your dishwasher broke down, your washing machine is acting up, or your oven won’t heat up, you can count on our team to get your household appliance humming again in no time. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions and be sure to contact us to schedule your next appliance repair service appointment!