How often should you run your dishwasher?
This article will answer the question “How often should you run your dishwasher?”, and how to do the dishes more efficiently?
How often should you run your dishwasher?
You should run the dishwasher at least once per week on a short wash. So, the motor seals don’t rust and stay in working condition.
Is it bad for the dishwasher to run it frequently?
More frequent runs reduce the longevity of the dishwasher. The average number of dishwasher cycles in a household is 5. If you run your dishwasher more than 5 times per week, your dishwasher is more likely to act up.
On the other hand, a dishwasher is less likely to require any repairs or replacements If it is run less than 5 times per week. 7 cycles instead of 5 per week do not sound a lot but it reduces the life of a dishwasher to 7 yeast from the average of 10 years.
How to do the dishes more efficiently?
Use a good detergent
Using low potent detergents in the dishwasher will only consume more time, power, and water. Your best bet is to use a powerful detergent like Cascade in the dishwasher. Using such detergents will eliminate the need for pre-rinse.
They also save you from the hassle of running repeated cycles on the same load just because the stuck-on food did not come off during the first wash.
Don’t overload the dishwasher
Overloading the dishwasher will reduce the efficiency of its working. Such frequent misuse of the appliance will put a strain on its parts that will lead to irreparable damage. Therefore, each dish must be at a safe distance from the other dish in the dishwasher.
It also prevents the dishes from breaking. Overloading significantly reduces the working efficiency of the detergent and dishwasher. This demands another wash cycle which is nothing but a waste of energy.
Skip the dishwasher’s heated dry option
Instead of drying your dishes using the heated dry option in your dishwasher, opt for air-drying or hand-drying your dishes. This saves a lot of energy. Plus air is free so why let it go to waste?
Wash your dishes during off-peak hours
Daytime and evening hours are the ideal off-peak hours for you to run the dishwasher If you want to save energy.
For this purpose, take advantage of the delayed-start button on your dishwasher. After you select the run later option, your dishwasher automatically starts when it should.
How to clean the dishwasher?
Things you’ll need:
- Distilled white vinegar
- Baking soda
- Kitchen towel
- Dish soap
Instructions
Clean the drain: After removing the bottom rack of the dishwasher, access the drain below the spray arm. Use a paper towel to unclog the drain of any food bits. Make it habitual to clean the drain after every wash cycle.
This will reduce the strain on the dishwasher and its efficiency. Always empty the dishes of any big food chunks before putting the dishes in the dishwasher.
Wash the filter: Read the manual to learn about the location of the filter. Remove the filter and wash it with hot soapy water.
If your dishwasher has a cylindrical filter, you must clean the sump before putting the filter back in its place.
Run a wash cycle with vinegar: Place a dishwasher-safe cup filled with white vinegar on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Run the dishwasher cycle on the hottest setting. The white vinegar and hot water will clean and sanitize the dishwasher whilst removing the unpleasant smell.
Run a wash cycle with baking soda: After the white vinegar wash cycle is finished, sprinkle the bottom of the dishwasher with baking soda. Run the dishwasher in the hottest setting. This step will help deodorize the stinky area.
Wipe the rubber seal and front: Damp a towel with hot soapy water and rub it against the rubber seal around the dishwasher door to get rid of the gunk.
Damp a kitchen towel in clean, hot, and soapy water and wipe clean the front side of the appliance. If the front is made up of stainless steel, use a stainless steel cleaner to give it a shiny look.
Things you shouldn’t put in your dishwasher
Copper
The dishwasher environment is extremely corrosive to the shine of the copper pots, pans, and mugs. For the longevity of copper utensils, prefer hand washing them.
Wine bottles
Washing wine bottles will result in trapped food particles inside the bottles. To avoid this, do a separate load for the wine bottles in the dishwasher. Besides, wine bottles with labels should not go in the dishwasher. The label can clog the drain.
Wooden utensils
Wooden utensils are prone to warping and molding in the dishwasher. Hand wash these utensils and do not forget to dry them afterward.
Conclusion
This article answered the question “How often should you run your dishwasher?”, and how to do the dishes more efficiently?
