About Dishwasher Maintenance

Proper, routine maintenance is essential to keeping your dishwasher running reliably and efficiently, while avoiding the possibility of costly repairs. Not only does it help maintain your dish washer in optimal running condition, but also lowers the machine's energy usage and often prolongs its usable life.

Features

When purchasing a dishwasher, it is essential to shop for a model that has built-in features that are designed to minimize the need for maintenance and making upkeep simple. Several dishwashers on the market today have such features, including:
*Self-cleaning filters: These are especially important if you often have heavily soiled dishes or a busy lifestyle.
*Hard food disposers: This feature saves you both water and time because you do not have to prerinse dishes before you load them. These models are also not as susceptible to odor.

Care

Pay particular attention to your dishwasher's movable parts including the food drains, filters and gaskets. Check and clean these components regularly to avoid any clogging. Refer to your owner's manual for instructions on how to remove and clean them. If you discover any cracks or gaps in the gasket, replace it to prevent leaks.

Check the dishwasher's cleaning compartment for any scratches in the walls or in the coating of the dish rack. These areas, if any, need to be sealed with a waterproof sealant to prevent rusting.

Cleaning

Clean your dishwasher regularly. Just like every other large appliance that is frequently used, it routinely needs cleaning.
Fill a large bowl with hot soapy water. Using a small brush such as an old toothbrush, scrub around the dishwater door, taking care to clean out the gunk that builds up in the crevices and grooves of its rubber seal. Use a sponge and the soapy water to clean the inside of the dishwasher door as well as the dirt that you brush out. Remove the bottom dish rack to access the drain area. Remove any food or other accumulated material that may clog it. Clean the exterior of the dishwasher with a damp sponge and warm, soapy water.

Sanitize and Deodorize

Empty out the dishwasher. Pour a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwater. Leave it for an hour. Run the dishwasher through a rinse cycle at the highest water temperature you can use. The vinegar helps to dissolve any mineral deposits as well as hard water spotting.

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Resources

• How to Remove Odor From a Dishwasher