Most people don’t know how to use their dishwashers optimally and end up with sub-optimal dish cleaning results. But who has the time to figure out the optimal settings?
This post will explain the 12 most common mistakes everyone makes when using a dishwasher.
First, let’s get the basics out of the way:
1) Make sure your dishes are clean before you put them in the dishwasher. This is the most obvious mistake people make but also the most common one. If you put dirty dishes in your machine, you’ll have dirty dishes coming out.
2) Make sure you have a suitable detergent for your machine. Some dishwasher models need special detergents to work properly and some even come with a dedicated detergent which is made by that company only! Don’t use regular soap as this will affect your machine in a negative way.
Mistake 1: Not rinsing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.
Mistake 2: Overloading the dishwasher.
Mistake 3: Not loading plates correctly.
Mistake 4: Not scraping food off your plates.
Mistake 5: Choosing the wrong wash cycle.
Mistake 6: Not checking for hidden items.
Mistake 7: Putting in too much detergent.
Mistake 8: Overusing rinse aid.
Mistake 9: Using the wrong detergent in hard water areas .
Mistake 10: Pre-washing dishes anyway.
Mistake 11: Overlooking cleaning the dishwasher itself.
Mistake 12: Leaving dishes in the washer after they’re done
1. Not reading the manual
2. Putting dishes in any old how
3. Using too much detergent
4.Using dishwasher salts
5. Not rinsing before stacking
6. Too many cutlery items in one place
7. Overloading with pans and pots
8. Not cleaning your filter regularly
9. Using the wrong setting for your load
10. Not checking for blockages in pipes or hoses
11. Using the wrong rinse aid
12. Not allowing your dishwasher to dry out
People who buy a dishwasher for the first time often make the mistake of stacking their dishes in the same way they would in a sink, with plates on the bottom, glasses on top and silverware scattered throughout. The problem with doing this is that the water sprayers in most dishwashers can’t reach all parts of each dish.
If you want to get your dishes as clean as possible, you should stack them properly. Plates should be placed on the bottom rack with all their edges facing inward. This will not only allow water to reach every inch of each dish, but it will also prevent items from clanging together and breaking.
Glasses should be placed upside down on the top rack so that water can drain out of them after washing. And silverware should be placed on either side of the bottom rack where it won’t obstruct the flow of water.
1. Neglecting to clean the filter
The first and most common mistake we see is that people don’t clean the filter properly, or at all! The filter is a crucial part of your dishwasher as it filters out food particles so they can go into the waste outlet. If you don’t clean it, your dishes won’t come out squeaky clean.
2. Not cleaning the spray arms
If there are loads of food particles trapped in the filter, that means there will be lots stuck in the spray arms too. This reduces their effectiveness and means that you won’t get a proper wash. Make sure you clear any blockages from the holes in the arms, but remember to put them back on properly afterwards! We often find people who haven’t put them back on correctly – always check before you start a new cycle!
3. Using too much detergent
More isn’t always better when it comes to dishwasher detergent! Many people use more because they think that it will get their dishes cleaner, but this can actually cause issues with your machine and lead to an inefficient wash cycle. Dishwasher detergents contain surfactants which have been specifically designed to work well with
1) Using the wrong detergent
If you have hard water, you should use a phosphate-free detergent to keep your dishwasher from building up a white film. You’ll know if you have hard water if your dishes aren’t coming out clean or if there’s a white film on your glasses.
2) Overloading it
Don’t pack too many dishes in the dishwasher and make sure that your plates don’t touch. This will make sure that all of your dishes come out clean.
3) Not running it through a cycle before using it
Your dishwasher may not work properly if you don’t run it through a cycle before using it. You should also run it through a cycle without any dishes to make sure that there isn’t any damage to the gaskets or seals.
4) Using too much detergent
You should only use one teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap per load. Overusing detergents can lead to residue buildup on your dishes and can cause excess foam to form during the wash cycle. It can also cause the machine to leak, which could mean that you need expensive parts fixed by an appliance repairman. If this happens, be sure to check deals on repair services with coupons from sites such as
1. Not cleaning the dishwasher
2. Putting plastic items in the dishwasher
3. Using too much dishwasher powder/tablet
4. Overloading the dishwasher
5. Using a different type of salt to that recommended
6. Loading glasses in the top basket incorrectly
7. Loading cutlery incorrectly
8. Ensuring filters are clean and bowls are empty before use
9. Leaving dishes unwashed before loading them into the dishwasher
10. Not ensuring all dishes are facing downwards so water can drain away correctly
11. Not using rinse aid when required
12. Not regularly checking and emptying your appliance’s pump filter