Already frustrated with the crusted dishes and foul odors from your dishwasher?

Before you set out complaining about the manufacturing defects, we want you to make sure you’re doing everything right.

Modern home appliances work reasonably well and without trouble if we operate and maintain them with care. Out of habit, or due to ignorance, you may not be handling the dishwasher the right way.

Here are some mistakes that may be giving you a hard time with the dishwasher.

1.   Going overboard with the dishes

We agree the dishwasher’s primary job is to take the load of washing dishes off your back. But very often people get carried away and end up cramming the dishwasher with dishes that are just too many. If you’re in this habit too, soon enough you’ll encounter one of these troubles (if not already facing):

  • The dishes end up breaking due to bumping into each other.
  • Your dishes won’t come out looking very clean and you may even wonder why your dishwasher smells.

2.   Not scraping off the food residue

Modern dishwasher models claim that you don’t need to pre-rinse the dishes or remove food residue before use. Even though you don’t pre wash the dishes, you should try to get as much food residue as possible. Leaving too much food on the dishes can cause problems with the dishwasher. In our opinion prewash is always a more sensible approach to cleaning your dishes in the dishwasher.

3.   Unsuitable wares and dishes

Most ceramic and glass wares can be safely washed in the dishwasher. But some tableware is not suitable for dishwashers. Broadly speaking, dishes made of copper, cast-iron and wood, and delicate glassware should be avoided. Such items are not dishwasher safe. They may crack or split under high temperatures and water pressure.

Always check the label at the rear of the dishes. Only put those dishes in the dishwasher that are dishwasher safe.

4.   The use of racks

A huge mistake that people make while using the dishwasher is not considering the placement of the dishes. You really need to pay attention to which dishes go in the top and the bottom racks of the dishwasher. Wrong placements can lead to breakage of dishes in the washer.

Plates, pans and similar utensils should always be placed in the bottom rack. Glasses, cups, bowls and serving dishes should be placed on the top rack. This setup will ensure that you always get clean dishes and there’s no risk of damage.

5.   Nesting dishes

There’s little to be gained from nesting dishes in the dishwasher. Of course, nesting won’t lead to any damage as such, but your dishes won’t get the most thorough cleanse in the end. Spoons and forks that get nested in the wash may hold on to food residue.

6.   Maintenance and care

Like any other modern home appliance, the dishwasher needs maintenance from time to time. The user manual comes with detailed instructions for maintaining the dishwasher. Without proper care the machine is likely to give you trouble and can also run down before its useful life span. If the dishwasher is showing any signs of trouble get an agent authorized by the manufacturer for repairs.

7.   Unloading method

As a rule, you should always unload the bottom rack first. If you’re doing the unloading the other way, you’ll be facing some issues. The utensils placed in the top rack can retain pools of water after the wash. As you take them out, you’ll end up splashing water on the dishes in the bottom rack.