Washing the Dishwasher: A Guide To Cleaner Dishes

Dishwasher Repair

Many families consider a large and powerful dishwasher to be a necessity rather than a luxury. These appliances can take care of an entire dinner party's worth of dishes while you relax with your guests. However, a dishwasher can slowly lose its cleaning power over the years of daily use. This isn't a permanent change, and you can reverse these effects by practicing regular. Include a few simple practices as part of your spring appliance care routine as you check your refrigerator's temperature and clean out the garbage disposal.

Measure The Water's Temperature

While you may be able to wash dishes in lukewarm water if you put a lot of dish soap and elbow grease into the cleaning, hot water is required for effective scouring in the dishwasher. The heat of the water helps dissolve fats and oils. Particles of food also release their hold on the surface when moisture and warmth are combined. Check the heat of the water by setting a cup upright in the center of the top rack and pull it out with an oven mitt in the middle of a cycle. If your kitchen thermometer shows that the temperature is below 120 degrees Fahrenheit, turn up the heat. You may need to turn up your water heater or adjust the temperature dial on the unit. If you can't seem to find the temperature controls on the dishwasher, a professional appliance repair service will locate it and adjust it for you.

Clean The Filter

At the very bottom of the interior lies an important filter. This mesh sheet or cup catches food particles that fall off of the dishes and keeps them from clogging up your drains. Families that are careful to scrap off food and rinse the crumbs before loading it into the dishwasher may be able to go three to four months between cleanings. People who let the appliance do all of the scrubbing should empty the filter at least once a month. When the filter becomes clogged, the dishwasher could flood instead of draining. Keeping the filter clean and clear will protect your kitchen cabinets and floor from water damage.

Eliminate Lingering Odors

While the filter will trap most large food chunks, there are plenty of melted or dissolved residues that can gather in the drain and connecting pipes. Running an empty cycle with vinegar rather than dish soap often eliminates mild build up. If you can't dispel the smell with this simple trick, call a professional rather than trying to pour bleach or other harsh chemicals into the drain opening. These products can damage the pipes. A service technician can open up the drain and clean out debris or slime while checking if the drain is developing a clog further down the pipe.

Campbell Appliance Heating And Air Inc
3591 Rocking J Rd
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 255-0506
http://www.ac-repair-round-rock.com/