Everybody can use a dishwasher. However, it takes someone who is part scientist and part artist to use this machine effectively. If you want to get elevate your dishwasher using skills and get the most out of this machine, here are a few hacks you should know.
Use powder detergents and tablets
To ensure your dishes are as clean as can be when you use the dishwasher, we recommend you use powder detergents and tablets, and avoid liquid detergents.
While liquid detergents might be cheaper, they are less effective at removing food gunk than powder detergents and tablets.
Deep clean your dishwasher regularly
For the cleanest dishes, you should endeavor to deep clean your dishwasher on a regular basis. If you are wondering how frequently you should do this, the answer is that it depends on how frequently you use the machine. However, once a month is a good rule of thumb to go by.
To deep clean your dishwasher, put it on the Sanitize setting for a rinse cycle without any dish inside.
Dry your dishwasher to eliminate funky smells
Dishwashers can sometimes acquire gross smells after frequent usage. And while deep cleaning the machine can do a lot in terms of rendering it cleaner, it won’t do much to eliminate the smell.
To ensure your dishwasher is clean in every sense of the word, which is necessary if you desire the cleanest dishes, we recommend you do the following:
- Place a bowl of white vinegar in your dishwasher – preferably on the top rack
- Set the machine to the Sanitize wash option
- Let the machine run for a cycle
- Use the dry cycle
- Air the machine for a couple of hours
By the way, your dishwasher should be empty, except for the bowl of white vinegar, when you do clean it.
What’s more? This hack is useful if you use hard water for your dishwasher, as it will eliminate the staining that comes with it.
Clean your filter screen regularly
Another dishwasher hack to ensure cleaner dishes is to clean your filter screen at least once a month. This part of your dishwasher collects a lot of the dirt from your dishes, such as hair, plastic, and food grime. If you don’t empty the filter, it can cause problems with your dishwasher and make it impossible to get clean dishes.
What’s more? The filter basket underneath this apparatus sometimes gets clogged with an oily, disgusting sludge that, unfortunately, isn’t easy to clean. We recommend soaking it with hot, scalding water for a while before scrubbing it off with a hardy sponge and dish soap.
Use tin foil to ensure sparkling silverware
If your silverware does not look its best, we recommend tossing a scrunched-up ball of tin foil in the cutlery basket the next time you wash these items. Then, set the machine to its usual setting and let it run. When the cycle completes, your silverware will look more polished than they have ever been and fitting for a place on your dining table.