How to Use a Dishwasher: A Full Guide for Sparkling Results

Step 1: Know Everything About Your Dishwasher

Before you start, dive into the heart of your dishwasher's manual. It's not just a booklet; it's your roadmap to safety and efficiency. The manufacturer's instructions are a treasure trove of tips to prevent mishaps or damage. They outline the nitty-gritty of every part, warning, and precaution you should know.

This step is crucial in understanding your dishwasher's personality – it's the key to ensuring you and your appliance work in harmony. So, grab a cup of coffee, cozy up, and give that manual the attention it deserves!

Step 2: Start the Dishwasher

The following are the steps you should follow to operate the appliance properly:

To begin, press the Power button. Remember to observe the indicator lights to confirm that the dishwasher is operational.

Regularly check if there's sufficient rinse aid and dishwasher salt. If the icons for salt and rinse aid light up, it's time to refill.

The efficiency of your dishwasher heavily depends on clean filters. Open the dishwasher and examine the filters. To ensure optimal performance, they should be cleaned regularly, preferably before or after each wash cycle.

Ensure that both upper and lower spray arms move freely. Remove the spray arms for cleaning to guarantee proper water distribution during the wash cycle if you notice any obstruction or limited movement.

When placing dishes in the dishwasher, arrange them so they do not hinder the movement of the spray arms. Avoid overlapping or stacking dishes to ensure an even and effective cleaning process.

Add the appropriate amount of detergent to the dispenser. If you prefer dishwasher tablets, place them at the tub's base, the detergent bucket, or the inner door's lower section, ensuring the detergent is properly utilized during the wash cycle.

Choose the suitable wash program for your load. After selecting the program, the dishwasher will start the cycle within seconds.

Step 3: Avoid What Harm Your Dishwasher

Neglecting regular cleaning is one of the biggest things that can harm your dishwasher; we discussed the cleaning process in detail in our "How to Clean Your Dishwasher" guide.

The maintenance process also requires mindful usage to prevent damage and ensure safety. Here are some essential tips to follow:

Never load dishes into the upper rack while the lower rack is extended. This could unbalance the dishwasher and risk it toppling over, potentially causing injury.

To prevent water from the upper rack from dripping onto clean dishes below, empty the lower rack first, then proceed to the upper rack.

Avoid opening the dishwasher door during operation or immediately after a cycle completes. The escaping steam can cause scalding. Always wait a few moments for the steam to dissipate.

Only use detergents specifically designed for dishwashers. Regular liquid dishwashing detergents are not suitable and can damage your appliance.

Rinsing dishes manually before placing them in the dishwasher is not recommended; it increases water and energy consumption, contrary to the efficiency of a properly used dishwasher. You can wipe the food residues instead.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for loading the dishwasher. Filling it to the indicated capacity can contribute to energy and water savings.

If your dishwasher is equipped with a water softener to treat hard water, ensure it's used correctly. If the water softener isn't needed, set the hardness level according to the manual instructions to prevent the salt refill icon from lighting up unnecessarily.

For best results, your dishwasher requires soft water. Hard water can leave water stains on dishes and the appliance's interior. If your tap water is hard, use dishwasher salt in the built-in water softener to decalcify the water. The amount of salt needed will depend on the hardness of your tap water.

One Last Tip

Now you know how to use a dishwasher, remember to explore its extraordinary technologies, as the best dishwashers come packed with features that make dishwashing almost as enjoyable as dining!

Consider watching a tutorial specific to your model for an even deeper dive. These can unveil hidden features and tricks to get the most out of your machine.