5 Ways To Run Your Dishwasher Better

As a homeowner, I’m slowly understanding just how frustrating the entire consumer appliance space is. The technology of cleaning stuff has not really improved in 100 years. There’s just a lot more marketing fluff and incremental efficiency improvements in how the parts are made and how the cycles slosh water around. Here are a few notes to be a better dishwasher owner.

Lightly Prerinse Your Dishes (food just clogs your filter)

You might be tempted to toss dishes straight into the machine (like on the TV ads), but a quick, light prerinsing does make a world of difference. Those food particles have to go somewhere. And guess what? If you don’t rinse them down the 2″ kitchen drain…you’ll just make the dishwasher rinse them into a filter then down a 1/2″ drain. That food eventually clogs the filter and compromises the performance of your dishwasher. A light rinse or scrape ensures that larger food remnants don’t end up trapped and decaying in your dishwasher filter or drain…without using a ton of water.

That doesn’t mean you need to wash your dishes before you wash your dishes. A simple spray-down will suffice to prevent the buildup of food waste and grease, which can lead to unpleasant odors and a less effective clean. Think of it as prepping your dishes for their thorough wash cycle.

Clean Your Filter (it gets gross over time with food)

Speaking of filters, they can get gross over time – a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.

Most dishwashers have a removable filter located at the bottom of the machine. Regularly cleaning this component—ideally once a month—will ensure that your dishwasher continues to operate at peak efficiency. Simply remove the filter, rinse it under hot water, and gently scrub away the trapped debris.

Wash Settings Just Add Cycles (they don’t make a “stronger wash”)

When you select different wash settings, you’re not necessarily getting a “stronger” wash—what changes is the number of cycles and the duration of the wash. There is no “turbo” wash that will get tough dishes clean. You’re just telling the dishwasher to do it again. Running “heavy” wash is the same as running “eco” wash (or whatever) twice.

There is no point in using a heavy wash unless you know from past experience that a dish will need another rinse. And if the food is on there that good, then you need to pre-rinse it better.

Stop Leaks with Corner Guards (it’s a normal design flaw)

Leakage around the dishwasher door is a very common issue, often due to a design flaw where the door doesn’t seal tightly in the corners. It’s really hard to get that point sealed. Water can escape during the cycle, leading to puddles on your kitchen floor. The solution? Corner guards.

These simple, inexpensive rubber additions can be placed in the corners of the dishwasher door to improve the seal and prevent water from leaking out. They’re an easy fix to a frustrating problem and can save you from potential water damage over time.

Basic Technology Is The Same As The 1950s (don’t overspend)

Dishwasher technology has undoubtedly advanced some since the 1950s, but the fundamental mechanics remain largely the same. Water is sprayed at high pressures to clean dishes, and a heating element dries them. While modern machines boast additional features…those “features” just do rinse cycles in various combinations, because the core technology doesn’t necessitate overspending.

Also, since the design is basic – the parts are basic too. If something breaks, be sure to check on a part and YouTube video. I’ve been able to repair our Frigidaire several times and save $$$ repair money.

Keep Your Detergent Simple (and protect our water supplies)

The detergent aisle can be ridiculous, with products touting all sorts of benefits…when the good ones all have the same basic active ingredients and the bad ones have untested, complex chemicals. Complex chemicals can contaminate water supplies and aren’t necessary for clean dishes. Keeping your detergent choice simple is not only better for your dishwasher but also for the environment.

By choosing a simple detergent, you’re contributing to the health of our water supplies and ensuring that your dishes come out clean and free from potentially harmful residues. It’s a win-win for you and the planet.