How to Fix a Dishwasher Soap Dispenser

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By Jon Olson
eHow Contributing Writer

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Dishwasher Soap Dispenser

As dishwashers age, their parts may begin to wear and break. The purchase of new dishwasher can be costly and hiring a repair professional can be expensive as well. If you have the knowledge and know-how to fix your dishwasher, you can get a little more life out of it and save some money in the process. One part that commonly breaks on a dishwasher and can be easily repaired by a do-it-yourselfer is the soap dispenser.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

New gasket
Vaseline

Cleaning the Dispenser

Step 1

Determine whether debris build-up in the soap dispenser may be causing it to leak and not dispense correctly.
Step 2

Clean debris from the soap dispenser.
Step 3

Test the soap dispenser to see if it is still leaking.

Replacing the Rubber Gasket

Step 1

Locate the rubber gasket on the soap dispenser door. This gasket should provide a tight seal and prevent leaking when closed.
Step 2

Examine the gasket to see if it is cracked or damaged. Replace the gasket, if this is the case.
Step 3

Clean the gasket, if it does not appear to be cracked or damaged. Debris build-up can be the cause of a leaky dispenser.
Step 4

Coat the gasket with Vaseline. This will moisten the gasket and help it seal properly.
Step 5

Test the dispenser to ensure it is working properly.

Tips & Warnings

Before making any repairs, check if your dishwasher is still under warranty or if a particular part has been recalled. If the above steps do not resolve the problem, you may need to replace the soap dispenser. One well-known company that sells replacement parts is AppliancePartsPros.com (see Resources section). Search for the make and model of your dishwasher and purchase a new soap dispenser. Install according to the manufacturer's instructions.