Get matched with top dishwasher installation pros in Riva, MD

There are some dishwasher care tips to extend its longevity and keep your dishes sparkling. Not overloading your dishwasher is key to letting water and soap move freely through the unit. Too much soap can stress your dishwasher unnecessarily, causing it to break down sooner. 

Cleaning your dishwasher is essential for its performance, so every three to six months, put two cups of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe cup on the top rack and run a complete cycle. When done, place ¼ cup of baking soda inside and run a short cycle to eliminate any lingering odors.

You should follow the instructions listed on the detergent packaging and in your dishwasher user manual. Often, this means inserting the tablet or pod into the detergent dispenser (and not in the bottom of the dishwasher). If you put the pod anywhere else, it might dissolve too early in the cycle and fail to clean your dishes properly.

You should deep-clean your dishwasher every month for optimal performance. A simple scrub down using a homemade vinegar liquid solution is all you need, but don’t use cleaners that aren’t for dishwashers. 

If your dishwasher needs repair, expect to spend between $50 and $100 or $100 to $200 per hour to hire a dishwasher repair technician to service your machine.

Treat hard water with water treatment tablets to keep your dishes from getting spotty in between washes. Drop one of these into your dishwasher monthly and run a basic cycle with the machine empty.

Your first instinct might be to grab the bleach to clean a moldy dishwasher, but it’s not the best product for the job. You don’t want to use bleach to clean stainless steel components if your dishwasher has them, as it can cause significant damage. In addition, the scent of bleach can linger if not rinsed well, causing your dishes to retain a smell (and even taste) of bleach.