How to use a Dishwasher Properly
Dishwashers are now a significant household need just like Oven, Refrigerator, AC, and Vacuum cleaners, etc.
You can never be sure of a technology appliance even if you are using it for many years as there are always some smart tips and tricks to get the maximum from the minimum lot.
Besides, if you are planning to own one soon, this thread can clear your all misconceptions as well as answer all the questions regarding input and output of its working and performance. Happy read!
10 Tips to Use your Dishwasher Properly
1- Start with loading the racks neatly
There is a definite approach and sequence to loading the dishes and utensils in the racks so that you can get the most out of the total dishwashing process.
Since the dishwasher drives to utilize water, detergent, and electricity sufficiently altogether, make sure the machine loads enough before each cycle so that you don’t waste any of the three resources for a minimum load of utensils. But do not overload the racks as leaving somewhat space for water streams to get into each point is also necessary for the expected results.
• There are separate slots in the rack for plates where you have to rest them in a leaning position facing the center. Each slot should have just one plate and not two.
• The bowls and cups should be placed upside down because if you will position them up directly, they will be filled with water and there will be no cleaning operation.
• There are also stemware spaces especially for wine glasses to save the glass from damage.
• Plastic and silver-steel utensils should be placed on the top rack, upside down.
• The heavy and vigorous cookware must be placed in the bottom or lower rack.
• Hand wash the wooden items and knives as it can be risky putting them in the dishwasher.
• For the cutlery basket, again, do not overload it with a lot of spoons and forks and spot the handle in the downward position with a little space.
2- Get the smart dishwasher
By smart, I mean, with a lot of functions.
If you want to save yourself from labor, get the dishwasher that makes the least noise because then you should also have to save yourself from the unwanted noise pollution.
The comfort should be enjoyed on all levels, isn’t it?
Of course, for understanding the functions to the core, read the manual thoroughly so there is no trick or formula left unseen by you.
Plus, the energy-efficient dishwasher can be a boon.
Smart dishwashers may be a little expensive but they will serve your kitchen quite well.
3- Remove the food residues before loading
It’s obvious that you need to refine the plates from the surface food sediments beforehand because the food will be stuck in the dishwasher filter otherwise.
In addition, if you are washing a utensil in the evening that was soiled in the morning, the greasiness or dirt must have stuck hard to the exterior which you can soften by rinsing the dishes in water in your sink for some time. It will save you an extra round in the dishwasher.
4- Keep the dishwasher away from the refrigerator
Do you know the science of the refrigerator?
If the room temperature where the refrigerator resides is hot, the mechanism of the refrigerator has to undergo pressure to make cooling inside it. Therefore, if the room temperature gets extra hot than usual, the refrigerator has to bear extra pressure for producing cooling inside the refrigerator which is not right on your end.
So if you want to keep both machines in one room, in your kitchen, it’s better to keep both at distant corners so that the heat released through the dishwasher gets the minimum chance to amass around the refrigerator.
5- Check the detergent box
Before each dishwashing session and adding the detergent, it may be liquid, powder, or tablet detergent, just check the detergent box if there is still any detergent lingering from the previous cycle.
If yes, remove the old remnants before adding the fresh detergent because the previous detergent will then work to block the passage and the detergent will not do its job.
Fill it to the line they have recommended because overfilling will be wasting.
While shopping for the detergent, ensure well if the detergent is phosphate-free and then buy.
6- Tackle with the hard water
Most dishwashers come with the salt that is used to soften the water. If your utensils do not come out completely clean or maybe leave unwanted marks or stains, its because the water pH is not ideal as it should be.
You can test the hardness of your tank water using a pH strip. If you do, just know, the pH level of water above 8.5 refers to the hardness of the water.
It’s not even safe for your own health let alone the dishes.
7- Confirm if the dishes are dishwasher safe
Not all the dish materials are safe to be put in the dishwasher. So instead of realizing the damage when it’s too late, do a little research and ensure if a certain type of material is reliable for machine cleaning and then go for it.
8- Air dry the dishes
Do you know that the drying cycle of the dishwasher demands the most part of the energy? If you are not in a hurry to use the dishes afterward, just skip the drying cycle and let your dishes air dry on their own.
For this, you just have to open the dishwasher and racks outward to leave them on for the fresh air to reach all the places.
9- Clean the dishwasher
Just like your dishes, your dishwasher also requires proper cleaning. Please do not let this fact fade out of your mind that a dishwasher is a machine and it can also fall faulty if not maintained well through the course of time. Therefore, if it stops working efficiently and an unusual smell starts residing in it, you need to do some tips. Either use a cup of vinegar or baking soda mixed with water in the dishwasher container to get rid of the foul smell. If it still does not eliminate the issue, put in the lemon juice and turn on the drying cycle.
10- Opt for a suitable cycle
There are different levels of cleaning cycles depending upon the condition of the dishes. If the dishes are densely dirty, you need to opt for the high cycle and vice versa. Therefore, if you will apply the high cleaning cycle every time instead of medium or low varying the situation, you will be intentionally wasting the water, energy, and also the detergent.
You need to be really smart and thrifty in this case.
Conclusion
I have often observed people messing the dishes unnecessarily and then overcrowding the dishwasher just to know that the dishes have not been cleaned properly.
This is not about, if you have the dishwasher, you can use it several times a day for the dishes that could have been saved from the dirt in the first place.
Just use the kitchen tools sensibly and save yourself from the unnecessary hassle later.
