!: Buying Roper Dryer: 2011

!: Dishwasher Maintenance Tips

Dishwasher preventative and maintenance tips that can extend the life of your dishwasher and help prevent unnecessary repairs. Below you will find some of my best recommendations for proper dishwasher operation.

Make sure that the dishwasher's is installed level. This is very important and a reliable and experienced installer should know how to install this properly. For the homeowner however, please pay special attention during installation. A properly leveled dishwasher will prevent the racks from falling forward as you're loading dishes and will also allow proper drainage.

Make sure the drain hose is properly routed to the air-gap. If there is no "air gap" mounted on the sink then it must be routed and mounted to the top of the underside of countertop before routing to the garbage disposal drain port. This will prevent food particles from entering the drain hose which will eventually form a clog.

Add a cup of white vinegar through the dishwasher to remove residue and odors. Do this at least once per month. You can also add a dishwasher detergent additive to achieve the same results.

Always run hot water in the kitchen sink before starting the dishwasher. This will purge the hot water line and allow hot water to enter the dishwasher at first cycle. The water entering the dishwasher should be 140 F to properly clean the dishes and to prevent food buildup and soap scum. Most dishwashers have an interior heater element which is not of high enough wattage to heat cold water to the proper cleaning temperature.

Clean the door gaskets regularly with a soap solution to remove all food debris and hard water deposits. Rinse and dry. This area is especially important for cleaning since a proper seal is important to prevent leaks.

Clean and inspect the spray arm holes, lower and upper. Remove any food particles, plastics, or toothpicks that may have lodged there. Tweezers or needle-nose pliers may help to remove such items.
Make sure you do not overload your dishwasher. If the spray arm jets are obstructed by plates or other dishes then the dishes will not be cleaned properly. You may also get spray directed to the areas near the door seal and cause leakage.

Do not add more than the recommended amount of detergent. Excessive detergent will cause suds which will seep out door cracks and cause leakage. It may also cause unwanted damage to hardwood or vinyl flooring.

Add detergent additive such as LemonShine to remove unwanted hard water buildup and help cleaning. Phosphates are being phased out of all dishwasher detergent so additional cleaning power may be necessary.

Always use the "heated dry" option on the dishwasher. Most major brand dishwashers including Whirlpool, Kenmore, GE, Frigidaire, and Maytag will have this option. Wet dishes and a wet damp area such as the inside of tub, does not allow enough air flow to prevent mildew buildup. Eventually unwanted mildew and mold will build up on the inside of the sump Components and also on the inside walls of the tub.