10 common dishwasher mistakes to avoid

10 common dishwasher mistakes to avoid

Buying a dishwasher is an excellent choice, as it brings with it many benefits for one’s home. Whether one loves to prepare elaborate meals and doesn’t fancy washing up post-cooking or has a busy family and could do with a hand around the house, the appliance is the perfect time-saving solution. That said, like with any other appliance, a few mistakes, such as the ones mentioned below, can render it useless or reduce its life.

1. Overcrowding the rack
Dishwashers can easily clean kitchenware, provided one does not overcrowd it. Too many dishes can cause detergent and water to get lodged in the crevices of the dishwasher. When this happens, the dishes are not going to be cleaned evenly. Spacing out items is the best way to ensure the load is adequately cleaned.

2. Failing to clean the dishwasher’s seal
Individuals should pay attention to the lining of the dishwasher’s door. Grime and mold accumulating on the seal can compromise its functionality and leave air gaps. If this happens, one may notice food slime, detergent, water, and other residue slowly creeping out of the gaps, which could be annoying to clean up. It is important to periodically wipe the seal and check for damages to ensure it does not leak and improve the dishwasher’s durability.

3. Washing delicate kitchenware
Only some people read the instruction manual that comes with a dishwasher. This manual always has instructions against putting delicate items, such as fine china and crystal. The dishwasher uses high-pressure water and strong detergents to clean dishes. This means that when one loads delicate China and crystal kitchenware, there’s a high possibility of those getting damaged. Instead, one should wash these separately by hand to keep them clean and safe from breakage.

4. Adding too much detergent
While detergents help clean the dishes effectively, filling in too much is usually bad. The additional amount of detergent could lead to excessive foam formation in the dishwasher. As a result, the appliance might not work to its full potential. In addition, the excessive foam may leak onto the floor and cause a bigger mess for one to clean up. Individuals should only add the amount of detergent suggested in the instruction manual.

5. Running partial loads
On the contrary, to avoid overcrowding the dishwasher rack, one must avoid running half-empty loads. Though the dishes get cleaned properly, running a partial load can result in excessive waste of water and electricity. One should use the dishwasher only when required. If they have a half-load feature, they could always use it to handle fewer dishes.

6. Failing to pre-rinse
A modern-day dishwasher can handle mild residue. However, large chunks of food may clog the filters of the appliance. This might reduce the flow of water and hamper the wash cycle. All one needs to do is scrape food residue from the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. This simple step will ensure that the dishwasher functions at its maximum potential.

7. Forgetting to clean the filters
While pre-rinsing could prevent the filter from getting clogged in a single wash, it will eventually collect dirt and grime. And leaving it uncleaned may result in the dishwasher not functioning properly, leaving dishes and cutlery dirty. The good news is that cleaning a filter isn’t too difficult. One must detach it from the unit, manually remove dirt and other buildup, rinse it under water, and place it back. Cleaning the filter every month or two can help the appliance function smoothly. One should also occasionally clean the dishwasher’s nozzles, which are usually susceptible to blockages.

8. Obstructing the spray arms
The spray arms are meant to rotate to disperse water throughout a wash to clean the dishes effectively. Obstructing the spray arms in the dishwasher would mean that the appliance would not be able to do its job correctly. Therefore, one should ensure that there is no obstruction so that the arms disperse water for an effective washing and rinsing cycle.

9. Shutting the door when not in use
Several people habitually close the dishwasher’s door when it’s not in use. However, water is left over in the appliance, even after the cycle is complete. So, shutting the door would keep the seals moist, which could generate mold growth and foul odors. The growths could eventually damage the seal and cause the door not to close properly. One should let the appliance dry out, mainly if it is not used frequently.

10. Neglecting maintenance
Often, appliances don’t get regular maintenance and are neglected. However, failing to do so could result in the machine and its components getting damaged quickly, which might require a lot of repair or replacement. To avoid such scenarios, one should frequently inspect the parts of the dishwasher and replace them if necessary. One should also clean the appliance with a specialized cleaner to remove odors, prevent mineral buildup, and keep the components clean and hygienic for the next set of dishes.

Featured Articles

3 ways to deal with an overactive bladder
health

3 ways to deal with an overactive bladder

People with an overactive bladder (or OAB) experience a sudden and frequent urge to urinate. About 40% of women and 30% of men in the country deal with this condition, which can be caused by weak pelvic muscles, nerve damage, and excessive caffeine consumption. Those affected may have to urinate more often than usual and can even experience leakage. Here are a few treatment options, foods to eat and avoid, and ways to manage OAB: Treatment options Persistent symptoms should be discussed with a doctor so that they can determine the right course of treatment for OAB. Here are popular options that can be considered based on the doctor’s recommendation: Gemtesa:  It is an FDA-approved prescription treatment for adults affected by OAB. It helps relieve urinary symptoms like urgency, frequency, and even incontinence. Gemtesa is an oral treatment, usually taken with water. Common side effects include diarrhea, headache, or nausea. Myrbetriq:  It can help treat bladder issues like neurogenic detrusor overactivity and overactive bladder. This treatment option relaxes the detrusor, a bladder muscle, making it easier for the bladder to accommodate more urine and reduce OAB symptoms. Doctors recommend oral consumption of  Myrbetriq once a day. Adults can have it with or without food, while children must take it with food.
Top tips for managing rheumatoid arthritis
health

Top tips for managing rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that affects one’s joints. In some cases, it can also damage several other body systems like blood vessels, the heart, lungs, eyes, and skin. It is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when your immune system starts mistakenly attacking your body’s tissues. The condition affects the joint’s lining, resulting in painful swelling, which can later cause joint deformity and bone erosion. Here are some treatment measures for rheumatoid arthritis: Treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis Actemra® It is a prescription, FDA-approved biological therapy for relief from rheumatoid arthritis. Actemra ® helps lower the inflammation in the body by directly blocking the action of a protein in your body called interleukin-6 (IL-6). Your doctor may administer it as a subcutaneous or intravenous injection. The former is administered at home or at a medical facility, but the latter is given solely at a medical facility. Plaquenil It is an FDA-approved prescription treatment that helps treat acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis. It helps manage symptoms such as stiffness, inflammation, joint pain, and swelling. It is to be taken exactly as per the recommendation of one’s primary healthcare professional. Rinvoq® Rinvoq ® helps treat moderate to severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis in adults when tumor necrosis factor blockers were used but could not be tolerated or did not work well.
4 practical ways to deal with psoriatic arthritis
health

4 practical ways to deal with psoriatic arthritis

Arthritis commonly affects people with psoriasis, a disease that results in red patches on the skin with silvery scales. Typically, people experience psoriasis years before they get diagnosed with this arthritis. It affects thirty percent of people with psoriasis. However, in some people, joint problems start before psoriasis or during the same time. Swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the key signs of psoriatic arthritis. Here are the prevalent treatment options for psoriatic arthritis: Treatment options These prescriptions are known to work well against the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis: Otezla Otezla is an oral treatment plan that can be taken with or without food, or as the healthcare professional recommends. You should not chew, split, or crush the tablet before consumption. The recommended dosage depends on your response to treatment and condition. To keep side effects at bay, the doctor may start with a low Otezla dosage and gradually increase it. Rinvoq Rinvoq  should be consumed by mouth with or without food, typically once daily or as the doctor recommends. Do not split, chew, or crush the tablet. It can release the entire dosage in one go and heighten the susceptibility to side effects. To get maximum benefit, you must use Rinvoq regularly. The dosage depends on age and response to the treatment.
How to manage osteoporosis and improve bone health
health

How to manage osteoporosis and improve bone health

Osteoporosis is a condition that makes the bone brittle and weak. When severe, even slight pressure caused by coughing, bending over, or falling can cause a fracture. Such fractures are predominant in the spine, wrist, or hip. Osteoporosis occurs if the new bone fails to keep up with the loss of the old bone. It affects men and women, but post-menopausal women are more susceptible. Let’s discuss the correct osteoporosis treatment and management plan: Treatment plan Prolia It is a prescription treatment plan for relieving osteoporosis in women post-menopause who cannot use other options or have not responded well to prior treatment and are susceptible to fractures. Doctors will prescribe it for at least six months. Prolia helps treat both men and women. However, professionals do not recommend it for pregnant women, women trying to get pregnant anytime soon, or people with low blood calcium. Further, those allergic to denosumab or any other Prolia ingredient must avoid it.   Evenity Evenity helps with osteoporosis in two ways: it slows down bone loss and helps build new bone simultaneously. It is an FDA-approved treatment for osteoporosis that comes as a prefilled, single-use syringe with solution. But Evenity may have severe side effects.

Top Articles