There’s no doubt that dishwashers are efficient and fairly easy to use. However, it’s easy to take them for granted just because you’ve probably grown accustomed to having them around. Like any other home appliance, dishwashers will perform at their maximum when operated properly. But you might be making some mistakes you’re not aware of. Here are some common mistakes you might be making with your dishwasher:

Washing your dishes beforehand

You’re probably not the only one who pre-rinses their dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. And why not? It should make cleaning easier, and you wouldn’t get your food particles clogged up. But you might be doing your dishwasher a great disservice when you pre-rinse.

You might get even worse results when you pre-rinse your dishes because most dishwashers have in-built sensors that determine how dirty your dishes are and the strength of water to use. When you pre-rinse, you are tricking your dishwasher into believing your dishes don’t need extensive cleaning.

Using the wrong detergents

Liquid or powder detergents have long been known for being convenient cleaning options. However, for your dishwasher, they are not the appropriate detergents to use because they can form excess foamy suds that your machine cannot handle.

A better alternative will be a dishwasher tablet, which is more convenient and has the right detergent dosage your dishwasher needs. You are also less likely to deal with spills, and the cleaning results from tablets are significantly better than liquid or powder detergents. It’s a win-win situation. You can get clean dishes while your dishwasher gets to work efficiently.

Not airing your dishwasher

When you’re not using your dishwasher, even for an extended period, it’s best to always leave the door slightly ajar than fully closed. This allows any trapped moisture to evaporate, which would have otherwise led to a build-up of lime deposits, mould, and bacteria, making your dishwasher extremely unsanitary. You wouldn’t want to wash your dishes in a dirty environment, right?

Putting too many dishes in one load

While shoving all your dirty dishes into the dishwasher at once seems sensible, it isn’t the best method. Apart from having to re-wash your items because they did not get full access to soap and water, you will also cause a lot of distress to your machine, which can cause many problems and faults to develop over time. If that happens, you should call for help. A plumber can repair dishwashers easily and quickly.

When you carefully arrange your dirty dishes and provide adequate space in between, you’ll get better cleaning results and wouldn’t have to repeat your wash loads. Plus, your dishwasher will thank you.

Conclusion

Are you guilty of making these little dishwashing mistakes? It’s time to reverse them now, especially if you love the convenience of having a dishwasher and want to improve on its efficiency. With these tips, you will be well on your way to giving your dishwasher some much-needed love and a break while saving money, time, and water.