How to take care of your dishwasher to extend its lifespan

Taking care of your dishwasher is a regular but essential routine that saves you from another routine — washing dishes by hand. To keep your dishes sparkling clean, you need to know how to maintain your dishwasher and what steps to follow. Remove food residues You should scrape off or rinse all large food particles from the dishes; otherwise, they can clog the filter and the drain, causing blockages. You can soak the dishes in water for a short time beforehand, especially if you plan to run a short or cold cycle. Load and unload properly When loading the dishwasher, think of childhood Tetris and arrange the dishes correctly. Uneven placement won’t let the dishwasher clean properly, and detergent residue may remain inside. The manual usually states how many sets of dishes can fit — it’s better to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. A few rules for maintaining your dishwasher and arranging dishes correctly: Big and dirty items go down. Pans, pots, soup bowls, and plates with grease should be placed on the bottom rack. It is more spacious, and the dishes there are washed under high water pressure. Small dishes and cutlery go on the upper racks; Line them up! Arrange the dishes in straight rows with small gaps between them — this allows water and detergent to reach all sides; Free rotation of spray arms. It’s recommended to check them before each cycle. If they don’t spin, water won’t reach certain areas, and dishes will remain dirty; Everything upside down. Bowls, cups, mugs, and other hollow items should be placed upside down so water can drain from them.