Dishwasher Maintenance

Your dishwasher is one of the most used appliances in your kitchen.
No matter what dishwasher model you have, you need to give some thought to giving it regular maintenance. Dishwasher cleaning is one of the things that many people wonder about. The best dishwasher is the one that is kept in good running order by keeping it in top working condition.

If your dishwasher is used regularly you really do not need to clean a dishwasher. Dishwasher cleaning is only needed if you do not use it for a week or more and it begins to smell bad inside. Other wise the only cleaning needed is to keep food particles and waste from building up inside. Some dishwasher can discharge larger particles then others. If you have one that does not do well in this area, then you need to remove the leftover food often. A paper towels works very well to do this. There are commercial dishwasher cleaners that you can run through your dishwasher, to make it clean and smell nice again if you have not used it for a long time.

If you are noticing that your dishes are not being cleaned properly, it may be because you are not getting enough water in the dishwasher. The water inlet valve is what allows the water to flow into you dishwasher. This valve will wear over time and then not allow the water to enter properly. This valve is located right behind the kick panel, and is a very easy replacement for most handyman type people. It is recommended that this valve be replaced as a preventative measure, every three to seven years.

Check the racks in your dishwasher for places that the plastic coating has worn off. When this happens the rack will rust and can stain what is being washed. There are repair kits available to repair the coatings on your racks. If you sand the rust off of the racks first the repair will stack better and last longer.

The spray arms inside your dishwasher can also become clogged. Bits of food, paper, and other things can become stuck in the small holes. Take the time to remove these and clean out all of the little holes. This will allow the pump to move more water and also ensure that you get a good spray pattern again to give you the best cleaning possible.
If you find glass in the spray arms, you should also remove and disassemble the pump. Check it for damage from the glass. Glass can damage the seals in the pump. If left too long it will cause the pump seals to leak. If you have a leak at your pump, it may have been caused by glass.

On some dishwashers there is a filter before the pump. This is located under the lower spray arm, near the bottom of the dishwasher. Clean this filter often and if it becomes damaged replace it to protect your pump. If you do not know how to clean it, check your owner’s manual to see how to do it properly.

These things will help your dishwasher to work well and give you great service for a long time. If you provide service to your dishwasher you will also be assured that you are getting the best performance from your dishwasher also.

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4225828-dishwasher_repair_problem_detergent_cup

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4078724-dishwasher_problems_water_will_not_drain

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4021363-dishwasher_trouble_no_water_entering