Tips to extend your dishwasher's life: Avoid these pitfalls

A dishwasher is one of the most essential appliances in the home. Thanks to this modest device, daily chores become much easier. It saves us time and money, allowing us to forget about standing by the sink and hand-washing piles of dirty dishes after each meal. However, it's worth following a few rules to keep the dishwasher looking as good as new for years.

It's a good idea to check the dishwasher filter and remove any food residues every few weeks. A clogged filter affects washing efficiency and can also be a source of unpleasant odours. It is also advisable to regularly check the condition of the seals and the appliance's doors. Leaks can lead to water spills; no one wants to deal with a flooded kitchen.

To ensure the dishwasher functions properly over time, you should use products exclusively designed for it, such as dishwasher tablets or rinse aids. You should never consider pouring dishwashing liquid into the dishwasher. Anyone who has made this mistake knows what it entails. What can happen? A sea of foam can spill from even the smallest gap, which is difficult to clean up. This can damage the appliance and flood the room.

To disinfect the dishwasher, it's a good idea to occasionally run an "empty wash" with just detergent, selecting a high-temperature programme. This procedure will help clean the appliance's interior and remove deposits accumulating in the corners.

Incorrectly stacking plates in the dishwasher is a common problem that can significantly reduce washing effectiveness. A major mistake is stacking plates on top of each other. This blocks water access to the surfaces of the dishes, resulting in uneven cleaning.

The direction of placing dishes is crucial. Plates should be arranged so that their dirty side faces the bottom of the appliance. This way, detergent and water can freely access all dirt and effectively remove it.

Heavily soiled dishes, especially plates or pots, often require pre-rinsing of food residues. Unrinsed leftovers can accumulate in the filter, contributing to its gradual clogging. A non-functioning filter means lower water pressure and weaker washing results. This is a direct path to dirty dishes after the wash cycle and a completely clogged filter.

In the worst-case scenario, the drain may become blocked, and the dishwasher may malfunction. It is better to spend a few extra moments removing food residues from the dishes than to later spend a significant amount of money on costly home appliance repairs.