Tag Archives: dishwasher repair

10 Awesome Dishwasher Tips

Here on the Complete Appliance Repair blog, we want to help you make the most of all of your appliances. Whether that means helping identify a needed repair, or walking you through a simple repair you can do on your own, we’re here to help. We also want to help you maintain and use your appliances in the best possible way. So today we’re sharing 10 awesome dishwasher tips with you!

10 Awesome Dishwasher Tips:

    1. Remove food

The first of 10 awesome dishwasher tips is to remove as much food as possible before putting your dishes in the dishwasher.. Just take a second when you’ve finished eating to scrape the food into the garbage or down the disposal. This will help you to avoid getting less food caught in your dishwasher filter.

      1. Pre-rinsing

Pre-rinsing is a personal decision based on your dishwasher and the type of detergent you use. Some detergents are made to remove residue, and others aren’t. Find what works for you! Generally you plan to rinse oily dishes. It’s also a good idea to pre-rinse if you’re not going to be running your dishwasher very often.

        1. Detergent

Like tip number two, this is going to be a based on your personal preference.  There’s no right or wrong answer, just try a detergent and see how it works for your dishes and your dishwasher.

        1. Loading

Of the ten awesome dishwasher tips we have for you today, this one is probably the most 10 awesome dishwasher tipsawesome and most under-appreciated. How you load your dishwasher makes a big difference when it comes to cleanliness. Plates should be loaded on the bottom rack with the dirty side facing in. Try to stagger your large and small plates. Pots and pans also go on the bottom facing down. Your cutlery goes in the cutlery holder facing up, except your knives if you’re worried about cutting your hand. Cups, glasses and bowls go on your top rack facing down so they don’t collect water. Plastic containers and large utensils also go on the top rack. Bigger items like baking sheets, platters, or cutting sheets sit on the sides or back of the bottom rack. Never block the detergent or water dispenser, and avoid overloading your dishwasher.

        1. Rinse agent

A rinse agent helps to dry your dishes and reduce water spots. It also helps to rinse away any excess detergent and food residue. You may use a rinse agent of your choice or you can try using vinegar instead which will work just as well.

        1. Dishwasher no’s

There are a few things that should never go in your dishwasher and are much better off being hand washed. The first are your good knives. Putting them in the dishwasher can make them dull and rusty. You should also keep your insulated cups, and silver, gold or silver/gold plated items out of the dishwasher. Delicate crystal should always be hand washed.  Don’t put disposable plastic containers or aluminum in your dishwasher, and you should never put your cast iron and non-stick cookware in either. Wash your wooden utensils by hand to avoid splitting the wood.

        1. Load as you go

Make life easier on yourself and load your dishwasher as you go. Instead of moving your dishes from the table to the counter to the sink to the dishwasher, go straight for the dishwasher! It’ll keep your kitchen less cluttered and make cleaning up a snap.

        1. Use the correct cycle and detergent

You might think more detergent means cleaner dishes, but that is definitely not the case. Too much soap means buildup on your plates and in your dishwasher. Use the recommended amount of detergent and use the correct cycle. Doing so will save your water and keep your dishwasher efficient.

        1. Make good habits

Following all of these 10 awesome dishwasher tips will set you up to form good habits. But you should also specifically develop a good ritual when it comes to running your dishwasher. For example, you can run the dishwasher at night and unload first thing in the morning. Or start it as you leave the house and unload when you get home from work. Whatever you decide, stick with it!

        1. Run hot water first

Last but not least, run hot water in the sink for a few minutes before starting your dishwasher to get hot water flowing. That way the water in your dishwasher will start out nice and steamy!

Hopefully these 10 awesome dishwasher tips make your dish cleaning experience more effective and efficient. If you suspect your dishwasher needs a repair, don’t hesitate to call Complete Appliance Repair today!

 

Why Items in the Dishwasher Rust

Don’t you hate when dishes come out of your dishwasher rusty? If so, you’re in good company.

Your dishwasher seems to be in perfect working order, you’re careful to load it properly and useRusted Items Dishwasher the correct detergent — so why do your pots, pans and silverware develop rust spots?

Actually, rust is a fairly common problem that is (usually) easily remedied. Take a look at three common reasons for cookware rust in the dishwasher.

The Uneasy Truce between Stainless Steel and Rust

No matter the grade of your stainless steel utensils, knives, silverware and cookware, the material is only corrosion-resistant, not corrosion-proof. Steel is a blended alloy of chromium, along with other elements, including nickel and iron ore. The exact blend determines its susceptibility to developing rust.

Stainless steel was created to resist corrosive environments, like the inside of a dishwasher, but mild surface rust is fairly common, particularly for items that have run through multiple dishwasher cycles. In most cases, rust can be removed with a lemon juice soak or a product like Bar Keepers Friend.

Problems with Silverware and Utensil Placement

Rust spots can occur as a result of the way that your silverware and utensils are loaded. If they are too close together, they may not dry properly. In that case, water droplets hide between the utensils, sometimes leading to rust spots. Spoons and forks should never be nested together, as this traps the water between them.

Generally it’s best to place silverware with the handles facing downward, unless they protrude through the holes at the bottom of the silverware basket. Try also to avoid placing two spoons or two forks in a single compartment, if you can help it.

If you have different types of metal touching each other in the dishwasher, electrolysis can occur. This can promote rust development, even in stainless steel. Items with metal fittings, such as some cooking utensils and can openers, can also easily develop rust, which can in turn cause rusting in other items.

Damaged Dishwasher Prongs

Over time, the outer vinyl coating on the tines of your dishwasher racks begins to wear away. This exposes the metal underneath to the wet and steamy environment of the dishwasher, leading to the development of rust on the tines.

This rust can transfer onto your stainless steel cookware, bakeware and even your china or dishware. Fortunately, this problem is usually an easy fix. You can use a product like ReRack or Sugru to cover the rusted areas, or purchase a tine repair kit at the hardware store that contains vinyl repair paint along with rubber tips to cover the tine ends.

Although most problems with rust are easy DIY fixes, the issue may be originating from deep inside the machine. If you can’t trace the problem, give Complete Appliance Repair a call. Our expert technicians, serving North Salt Lake, Utah, and the surrounding communities, will troubleshoot the problem, and in most cases, be able to complete the repair the same day. Contact us today if you have any home appliance problems, including rust on your cookware and utensils from your dishwasher.

What to Do about Your Dishwasher Door Problems

When dishwasher door problems come up, so can your stress level, especially if the issue involves a water leak or total mechanical failure. In other cases, however, the unit will continue Dishwasherto otherwise operate normally and you may be tempted to ignore the trouble. Dishwasher door problems generally involve either the latch, hinges, seals or springs. Read on for some helpful tips for troubleshooting and resolving these annoying problems — they aren’t likely to solve themselves, and ignoring them may only lead to bigger issues.

Dishwasher Latch Problems

Most dishwashers will not operate unless the latch is fully engaged, due to safety concerns. If the door becomes difficult or impossible to latch, food particles or a foreign object may have become lodged inside. Try removing debris gently using a cotton swab or small screwdriver. If this doesn’t correct the problem, the latch may require lubrication or adjustment. Try spraying a small amount of silicon lubricant on the latch spike and strike plate. Check the strike plate for any loose screws or bent edges. If either part is badly damaged, a replacement may be in order.

Broken or Damaged Door Seals

Dishwasher seals and gaskets are sneaky problem-causers. The rubber material used to make these gaskets is exposed to a constant supply of hot water and harsh detergents. Food debris and foreign matter can also build up in the gasket’s grooves, eroding the rubber. The first indication that you have a problem may be a puddle of water on the floor. Although leaks also can occur if the pump seal fails, the door gasket is a more probable culprit. In some cases, the gasket may simply have come out of its channel. A more likely explanation is that the gasket is simply old and needs to be replaced. For many dishwashers, replacing the door gasket is a simple and straightforward repair. On some models, however, special tools are required to properly seat the gasket seal into its channel.

Dishwasher Door Springs and Hinges

Over time, door springs often fail simply from normal use. In some cases, a spring can be repaired; however experts usually recommend replacing both springs to prevent further problems. Hinges may become rusty, bent or broken, typically requiring replacement as well. Although hinges are straightforward and easily accessible, springs are much harder to access and work with. In some models, door springs are combined with a series of cables under high tension. Once springs or hinges are replaced, the door will require a series of adjustments to make it close and operate smoothly. For safety’s sake, contact a repair professional for help with this problem.

In the Salt Lake City area, Complete Appliance Repair is your locally owned and operated dishwasher expert. Before attempting a do-it-yourself repair, contact them to schedule a service call. Their experienced professionals will have your dishwasher door problems resolved in no time.

Surprising Things You Can Put in the Dishwasher

Your dishwasher, godsend that it is, is probably even more useful than you realize. In fact, one professional organizer recently referred to it as a “multi-purpose cleaning apparatus.” Having Dishwasheralready covered some things you shouldn’t put in your dishwasher, here is a list of surprisingly helpful things that CAN go through a dish cycle successfully, emerging more sparkly clean and fresh that anything washed by hand. One caveat for these: If the item is not related to food or its consumption, it’s probably better not to include any regular dishes in the same wash load!

Personal Care Items

Toothbrushes, hair brushes, combs and makeup brushes (no wood handles) come out clean and germ-free. Include toothbrush holders and soap dishes while you’re at it.

Refrigerator Shelves and Drawers

The dishwasher is a great way to get them clean and sanitary, and uses less water than hand washing. Check first to make sure your shelves and drawers are dishwasher-safe.

Artificial Plants and Plastic Flowers

They emerge looking like new, but don’t try this with silk flowers.

Range Hood and Stove Parts

Removable knobs and filters, especially those with greasy buildup, are a perfect fit.

Car Parts

Cup holders and removable storage bins are obvious choices for this cleaning method, but some automotive gurus claim to run their hubcaps and lug nuts through with great success as well, adding a cup of white vinegar to make them gleam.

Desk Accessories

Dusty pen cups, business card holders and in/out trays will all do well in the dishwasher, as long as they are plastic. Probably best to skip the stapler though!

Kitchen Sponges and Brushes

Experts say that you should run your dish sponge through the dishwasher frequently, if it’s not spent enough to throw away. Make sure you secure it in the top rack, however — if it comes loose and clogs your dishwasher, you might be looking at an expensive repair. As long as your water is hot enough, running a sponge through the dishwasher is the best way to kill bacteria, since you shouldn’t microwave sponges (despite common belief).

Food

Many people use the rinse-only setting (no soap) to clean potatoes and other root vegetables with the skins on. In fact, wrapping peeled potatoes in foil and running them through a rinse cycle is said to cook them perfectly for mashing. If you’re really brave, do an Internet search for the “Dishwasher Salmon” recipe.

In Salt Lake City and the neighboring communities, Complete Appliance Repair knows how important your appliances are. They are committed to keeping your range, refrigerator and all your appliances working efficiently. If you’ve experimented unsuccessfully with your “multipurpose cleaning apparatus,” their experienced repair technicians can have your dishwasher back to making dinner (and cleaning up) in no time.