Mistakes We All All Making With Our Dishwashers

1. Overloading

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Overloading your dishwasher because you want to get all the dishes out of the way in one go, is the worst idea!  It's a common error and maybe a costly one as well. Your machine cannot perform at its best when it is packed too tightly and some of the item will have to be re-washed - a waste of time and water.

2. Neglecting Food Scraping

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If you don't scrape off excess food before loading your dishwasher, you risk causing clogs and poor cleaning. You don't need to go mad and pre-rinse dishes to an inch of their lives.  Simply scrape the plates and bowls and stack them correctly as per the instruction manual.

3. Incorrect Detergent

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In simple terms, to clean your dishes thoroughly, a dishwasher detergent makes use of enzymes. These enzymes are released when the detergent dissolves in water, acting like tiny cleaners that break down food particles. Dish soap doesn't contain such enzymes,  leading lead to poor cleaning performance and even an abundance of suds.

4. Not Cleaning Filter

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Just because your dishwasher looks clean when you open the lid, don't assume that's the case. The filter can get clogged up with particles of food and cause dirty water to stand and not drain. This is when you can detect a weird odor. Clean the filter regularly to maintain efficiency.

5. Not Reading User Manual

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Is it really necessary to read the manual? There's pages of information that surely can't all be relevant. Look, it' a good idea to read it before you first use your machine as you can check the safety guidelines and if you hit a problem, the troubleshooting section can help.

6. Excessive Pre-Rinsing

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The majority of dishwashers, certainly the modern ones, are designed to handle food residue so there is no need to over rinse. You're wasting water and energy. Many dishwashers have inbuilt turbidity sensors which measure how much dirt is in the water from the first rinse cycle. If you have pre rinsed them, you could fool the system.

7. Placing Delicate Items On Bottom Rack

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Surely it's common sense to put delicate items, such as glassware, on the top shelf of the dishwasher but when you have a bit of extra space at the bottom, you could be tempted to squeeze another few fragile things in there. The powerful spray on the bottom of the machine could crack glasses or chip them.

8. Ignoring Rinse Aid

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If you think rinse aid is a gimmick, a way of making you buy unnecessary liquids, then you're wrong. Rinse aid actually helps dry your dishes and prevents water spots. For areas in the country that have hard water, then rinse aid is a necessity for good results.

9. Using Excessive Detergent

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When your dishes are very greasy and full of grime, you may think putting in extra detergent is a good thing. Not so... too much detergent can lead to residue on your dishes as well as inside the dishwasher. You may even experience suds leaking out of the machine on to your kitchen floor.

10. Running Partial Loads

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Running your dishwasher when it is half empty won't harm your machine in any way but your energy and water bills will probably rise. If you have a function to run a half load then that's fine but otherwise don't be impatient and wait until it's full before you turn it on.

11. Using Insufficient Hot Water

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Dishwashers rely on hot water to do their job so don't think you're saving energy by turning down the temperature. With lukewarm water, your crockery may still have remnants of last night's dinner on them and the cutlery could be on the cloudy side. It will cost you more in the long run when you have to put them back in the dishwasher.

12. Inadequate Dish Arrangement

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When you intend to run a wash with a part load, mainly because they are big items and you want to spread them out so they get a really good clean, you still have to stack them appropriately. If you don't, the water and detergent distribution won't ensure they come out gleaming,

13. Improper Bowl Stacking

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Even when you're tired or you can't be bothered, remember to place bowls at an angle to allow the water to reach every bit of them. Under no circumstances should you stack them on top of each other.  You'll end up re-washing them, wasting energy and water.

14. Insecure Lightweight Items

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Make sure that you secure small or lightweight items in the utensil basket of your dishwasher,  to prevent them from falling and possibly blocking the spray arm.  Plastic items are lightweight and can fly around, landing upside down or on the bottom of the dishwasher. Maybe place them in a mesh bag to keep them in place.

15. Leaving Space for Water Puddles

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Larger items should be slightly tilted to stop water collecting and forming puddles.  Placing these items in such a way will help with the effectiveness of the cleaning and ensure proper drying. Pans and mixing bowls are better stacked at the back of the bottom rack, facing the center.

16. Using The Wrong Cycle

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Be sure to select the appropriate cycle for your dishwashing requirements,  whether normal, heavy duty or a particular setting. Although a quick wash cycle sounds efficient, only use it when you really need it. The high temperature and the extra energy that the heating element needs can make shorter cycles inefficient and an expensive option.

17. Neglecting To Check For Obstructions

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Regularly check out the spray arms and other dishwasher parts for food particles and debris which could hinder its performance. If you notice that your dishwasher is draining slowly, it might be worth checking your kitchen sink too. There may be an issue with the plumbing.

18. Running During Peak Energy Hours

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Save on your energy costs by running the cycle on your dishwasher during off peak hours, which usually means before 8am and after 8pm. For a busy household, the savings will add up over the course of a year and all it takes is a minimal change in your routine! Try it next time!

19. Forgetting Door Gasket Maintenance

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Don't ignore the door gasket of your dishwasher and make sure it is always  clean and free of debris in order to maintain a proper seal. You can remove any build-up on the door by placing a dishwasher safe cup of white vinegar on the top rack and run the hottest cycle. Afterwards, any grime inside the door will wipe away easily.

20. Neglecting Exterior Cleaning

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Keep your dishwasher in tip top condition by regularly wiping down the exterior, to prevent the build up of dirt. You can clean it with warm, soapy water or use a quarter of a cup of baking soda with a quart of water. It's unscented and won't create any scratches.

21. Running Straight After A Meal

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When you want to get the kitchen all cleaned up before you retire for the night, there might be the urge to run the dishwasher with just that evening's dinner plates, even though the machine will be less than half full. Halt there! Scrape the dishes and load them but DON'T start it until there is more crockery in it from the net day. Be smart and maximise efficiency!

22. Using Pre Wash Excessively

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Don't get into the habit of always using the prewash on every occasion when you're running your dishwasher. Besides the machine taking much longer to get through its cycle, the detergent (especially the 3 or 4 in 1 tablet) can do the job on its own without outside assistance.

23. Overloading The Detergent Dispenser

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Overfilling the detergent dispenser is not a clever thing to do so remove the thought out of your head right now! It can cause the dishwasher to malfunction and is likely to leave a layer of film on your plates and glasses, preventing them from having that squeaky clean sound.

24. Using Low Quality Detergents

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Don't be tempted to use a low quality dishwasher detergent. It will cost you more in the long run when you have to wash them more than once due to poor cleaning. A branded, high quality detergent is highly likely to be more effective in attacking built up grease and food residue.

25. Ignoring Hard Water Issues

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It's no joke if you have hard water in your area. Whether it's your personal hygiene or the cleanliness of your crockery and cutlery, treat them both with the same importance. If you pour a cup of distilled white vinegar into your dishwasher on every second use, the vinegar will act as a rinse aid, leaving your dishes with less cloudiness and fewer spots. It can also leave calcium marks on glassware.

26. Neglecting the Dishwasher's Exterior Air Vent

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An important dishwashing rule is to ensure the air vent isn't obstructed or your machine could overheat. Check the vent every few weeks, for anything untoward. Your dishwasher is probably on castors so it's an easy job to do. Neglecting this could be a costly error.

27. Running With A Broken Spray Arm

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Don't put off replacing damaged spray arms straight away to ensure an even water distribution. When the arms are not in operation, jetting water cannot hit your dishes and they won't get the clean they deserve! If you notice the dishes are not coming out sparkling, check the arm isn't damaged.

28. Not Levelling The Dishwasher

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A dishwasher needs to stand level an if it doesn't, it can lead to leaks and a poor performance. There may also be an issue with drainage, leading to stagnant water which doesn't smell good! This, in turn, could lead to bacteria. Also, your flooring underneath could be affected.

29. Leaving Plastic Items By The Heating Element

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If plastic items such as thin plastic lids, spatulas and even toothbrushes (yes, it's true, some people do stick them in the dishwasher), come into contact with the heating element of the dishwasher, they could melt. Make sure you have good ventilation in your kitchen or switch on the kitchen fan to get rid of the smell.

30. Neglecting Routine Maintenance

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To extend its lifespan, clean and maintain you dishwasher regularly. Clean out the filter once a week and run a cycle with an upright bowl containing a drop of bleach. Wipe down the gaskets every fortnight and run a dishwasher cleaner through it every month or so.