A dishwasher is a blessing for many of us who struggle with soiled dishes piled up in the sink on a daily basis. Even then, we are hesitant to buy detergents meant exclusively for dishwashers, thinking that they may just be a waste of money and not very effective. But we realized how wrong we were when we tried using regular soap for our dishwasher and had to face the consequences. With suds flooding the kitchen to improperly cleaned vessels, we dealt with it all. Eventually, it became clear that a regular soap is made to create foamy suds and help with basic cleaning tasks. On the other hand, a proper dishwashing agent is meant for more powerful cleaning, and to give squeaky clean dishes. Our experience has taught us that just like a car needs the right kind of oil, even a dishwasher needs the right kind of cleaning agent to function properly. Here are some important tips that you must keep in mind when washing your dishes in a dishwasher. These tips will help you get the best cleaning results after a wash cycle!
1. Scrape off Food Particles From the Dishes First
We’re well aware that loading dishes with food residue on them can be harmful for the dishwasher. In fact, there are times when we open the dishwasher after a wash cycle and still find the dishes dirty. We are then forced to run another cycle on the dishwasher which often becomes time consuming and tedious. In order to avoid this, some of us may resort to a pre rinse of the soiled dishes before placing them in a dishwasher. However, we have seen that this is not required. Just scraping away the leftover remnants of food from all the soiled utensils before placing them in the dishwasher is a far better idea. This also prevents the clogging of the drain filter with large pieces of food.
2. Follow the Right Method to Load Your Dishes
We’ve noticed that overloading or overcrowding a dishwasher may compromise its efficiency by obstructing the rotation of the spray arms, preventing water from reaching out to all the surfaces. We’ve also learnt from experience that crockery should be laid upside down so that water can easily slide off the surface for complete drying. Therefore, we always place the plates in such a way that they do not overlap and create blind spots where water can’t reach easily.
3. Use the Right Dishwashing Agent
This is one of the most important dishwasher cleaning tips. We may be tempted to use more quantity of the cleanser if the dishes are very dirty. But, we have learnt that it’s not about the quantity, it’s about using the right kind of cleaning agent for your dishwasher. The wrong kind of cleaner can result in a buildup of soapy solution which can be harmful for the appliance. One thing that we have found very useful is reading the dishwasher manual diligently to know how much of the cleaning agent is needed for a given wash size.
We strictly recommend avoiding dish soap meant for hand washing in a dishwasher and instead use a high-quality cleanser and rinse agent for the cleanest dishes. We have used Vim Matic Dishwash All in One Tablets for this purpose and have loved the results it renders. Indian cooking involves the rampant use of turmeric and masalas that often leave behind tough stains. With Vim Matic Dishwash All in One Tablets, even these stubborn stains and grease vanish instantly. The tablet contains all-in-one benefits of a detergent, rinse aid and salt, so there is no need to use the other three if you’re using this tablet in your dishwasher!
4. Check the Water Temperature and Hardness
The best part about a dishwasher is that it actually shoots out jets of hot water to clean your dishes effectively by killing germs and bacteria. You need to check whether your dishwasher is getting the hottest water possible with an approximate temperature of about 120 degrees. Along with temperature, there is another element that needs consideration, which is the hardness of the water. We have seen that hard water leaves white residue on dishes and silverware and can also leave behind mineral deposits inside the dishwasher. This can lead to rusting and subsequent failure of various parts. This is why we recommend Vim Matic Dishwash All in One Tablets as they also help in softening hard water. Since the tablet has the benefits of - a detergent, rinse aid and salt, it is your ideal all-in-one solution.
5. Keep the Filters Clean
We have observed that one of the most important aspects of dishwasher maintenance is the regular cleaning of the filter. Like us, you may have noticed a puddle of water forming inside the washer after each cycle. This is likely because of a clogged filter. To prevent this from happening, we’ve established a practice of removing the filter at least once a month and washing it well with soapy water to get rid of any unwanted food debris.
With the above mentioned tips, you can ensure your dishwasher is in pristine condition at all times.