5 Ways to Prolong the Life of Your Dishwasher
The dishwasher is a vital appliance in many homes— it handles the dirty work while you handle the rest of the tasks you’ve got to focus on in your busy day-to-day life. We want to make sure we’re doing all that we can to maintain it’s functionality so that you don’t have to add it to your list of headaches. Starting with an empty dishwasher, remove the bottom rack and follow these 5 tips on how to prolong the life and use of the one in your home:
Check the bottom for signs of standing water - These can mean that either the filter or the drain itself has become clogged and not allowing proper drainage of water after a cycle. Dishwashers are usually installed adjacent to your sink, and this is where the drain lines will be fed through. Take a look at these lines for signs of build-up, blockages, or improper installation that may be inhibiting water from getting out.
Clean the filter - If it is indeed your filter that has become gunked up, you’ll want to remove it, wipe it down, and remove as much debris as possible so that it may function efficiently. A soft-bristle toothbrush and some distilled white vinegar does wonders.
Descaling - It’s a good idea to run a descaling solution such as Affresh, found at most local hardware and home improvement stores, about every 6 months or so to keep your dishwasher in tip-top shape and free of those nasty looking calcium build-ups and hard water lines. Although, distilled white vinegar works just as well. Fill up a cup in the bottom rack with some vinegar or branded descaling solution and run the empty dishwasher for a cycle. Depending on the severity of the stains, it may take another cycle or two to completely clean the appliance.
Remove Odors - Baking soda scrubs can help with the appearance, but also the funky smells that might sometimes come from the inside of your dishwasher. Sprinkle the baking soda over the entire bottom surface of the unit and run a wash cycle.
Inspect Door Seals - If the seals on the outer edges of your dishwasher are falling off or deteriorating, you run the risk of water leaks onto the floor. Checking these seals regularly will ensure water remains inside the unit. While inspecting, wipe off any food or grime that has built up along the edges of the seal.