Having a commercial dishwasher at home is a total lifesaver when it comes to cleaning your dishes. It makes the process that much easier and is a lot more convenient than standard handwashing.
While dishwashers vary from model to model, they all operate on the same principles. Knowing how to get the most from your commercial dishwasher means that you’ll have squeaky clean plates each time you use it.
Dishwashers need plenty of care and maintenance in order for it to function properly and clean your dishes thoroughly. Here are 10 simple steps to ensure that your dishwasher works in good condition.
Give your dishes a good scraping first before loading them in the dishwasher
It’s understandable that you want your dishes to be cleaned hands-free. That’s why you bought a dishwasher in the first place, but giving your plates a good scraping before loading it up in the dishwasher means that there will be less bits of food stuck on your dishes once the cycle has finished. Doing this will also prevent food particles from clogging up your dishwasher trap.
Check the dishwasher seals
After a few months of usage, you’ll notice that the rubber gaskets inside your dishwasher have accumulated dirt and grime. Make sure to give it a thorough clean by using an old towel soaked in a hot water and soap mixture.
Wipe down the grime on the dishwasher door and check the seals on the soap container if they need wiping as well to help keep your dishwasher properly sealed when using it.
Also Read : Danger Of Using Incecticides
Make sure that the wash arms aren’t blocked with food particles
The wash arms on your dishwasher are primarily responsible for cleaning your dishes. If these are clogged, your dishes won’t be as clean as you want it to.
Make sure to regularly check the wash arms if they are spraying water properly and if there are any food particles that are blocking it. Give it a deep clean every week by removing the screws that hold it down and submerge it in a hot water and soap mixture.
You can grab an old toothbrush and start brushing down the holes in the wash arms to ensure that no food bits are stuck. After cleaning, screw the wash arms back into place and test it out if it sprays water properly.
Avoid overcrowding the dishwasher when using it
You might feel tempted to load up the dishwasher with as many dishes as you can, but doing so will result in less-cleaned dishes because of how crowded the dishwasher is inside. It’s better to wash a few plates by hand than running two cycles of an overly loaded dishwasher.
Avoid using vinegar as a substitute for rinse aid
You’ve probably heard before that vinegar is a good substitute for rinse aid but the truth is, it’s a bad idea. Vinegar is acidic and it could likely damage the rubber gaskets in the rinse aid dispenser if you constantly use it.
Rinse aid works because it’s a surfactant that loosens oil, grease, and food particles from your dishes, leaving them clean and free of water spots on any of your glassware as well.
Use vinegar to clean your dishwasher
While it’s probably not a good idea to use vinegar as an alternative to rinse aid, it’s better to use it as a cleaner for your dishwasher. Toss a cup of vinegar at the bottom of your empty dishwasher and run a normal cycle to clean any remaining food particles and keep it nice and fresh.
Clean the dishwasher trap
The dishwasher trap collects food particles that didn’t make it out of the drain and you should check this regularly to remove any bits and pieces. It’s usually found under the lower sprayer.
Take it out and give it a good rinse. You’ll also notice that grime build-up will occur in the dishwasher trap as well. When this happens, grab and old toothbrush and start brushing the dishwasher trap to keep it clean.
Wash your super dirty dishes by hand
Instead of relying on your dishwasher to clean your heavily soiled dishes, separate them and wash them by hand. You will be able to save a lot of water, soap, and electricity bills because you don’t have to run multiple cycles just to keep your dishes clean.
Doing this will also lessen the frequency of your dishwasher maintenance so you can keep washing dishes for longer before cleaning it.
Make sure to use the correct water heater temperature
Ideally, you want your dishwasher’s heater to run at 120 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Going much higher than that will dry off the water before it gets to clean your dishes. Using hot water on your first cycle during the winter months is beneficial since it’ll usually take a longer time for the water to heat up.
Have your dishwasher serviced annually by a technician
Dishwashers are subject to wear and tear and this can reduce its effectiveness after you’ve been using it for a long period of time. In order to properly maintain your dishwasher, have it serviced by a technician to inspect seals.
Check the condition of its parts, and evaluate the overall condition of the dishwasher if any components need replacing. Dishwasher parts can be really expensive to replace. Ideally, you should be routinely checking your dishwasher and keeping it clean so that you can prolong its lifespan.
Conclusion
Your dishwasher is a valuable appliance that needs to be taken care of so that it can effectively clean your dishes. Knowing how to get the most from your commercial dishwasher means you’ll be saving plenty of time and energy when you use it.
You’ll also end up with squeaky clean dishes each time you use it! Just follow these steps to make sure that your dishwasher performs as good as you want it to.