Accustomed to school canteens and lunchbox meals, chances are, these days that we are spending all our time at home, the dishwasher is working. But are you doing it right? Are all the dishes and cutlery perfectly clean? If not, there is something you are doing wrong. We know that putting the dishwasher is not quantum physics, but also that there are several things you can do to make it wash well.
HOW TO PUT THE DISHWASHER STEP BY STEP.
If when you take the dishes out of the dishwasher they are not shiny and shiny, it does not mean that you need to buy a new dishwasher. There are several reasons that can make your dishes not clean well: using the right soap, poor maintenance, or improper placement of utensils. In any case, if you follow this step-by-step, you will achieve greater efficiency when using the dishwasher, and dishes and cutlery come out as new.
Step 1.
Do not rinse the dishes. Just removing food scraps with cutlery, a spatula, or a paper napkin will suffice. According to the OCU, “if the dishes are already (almost) clean, the soap enzymes will yield less, without counting that this prewash is an unnecessary waste of water.”
Step 2.
Place the dishes on the bottom tray and face inside. It is one of the most common mistakes. According to Balay, “the water jet has to affect especially the area where we serve food, so when you place the dishes, make sure that the face of the dish faces the center.” And they warn: “Don’t make the mistake of loading your dishwasher by placing two dishes in the same slot.”
Step 3.
Lunch boxes and plastic containers are best on the top tray, as far away from the resistance of the appliance as possible. Think that excessive heat could damage them. The lids must be placed vertically for proper washing and the containers upside down to ensure that they do not come out with water.
Step 4.
Large utensils, such as fountains or pots, place them ” tilted so that the water can drain”, advise Bosch.
Step 5.
Cutlery is one of the elements that generate the most doubts. And the recommendations for correct washing are several. The most important thing is that there is a gap between them.
Bosch advises “put the knives in the basket with the handle up, the forks with the handle down, and the spoons in both ways.” In the case of knives, be careful because the use of the dishwasher can cause the blade to deteriorate and the edge to wear – in addition to damaging the basket.
These and those with a wooden handle are best washed by hand. In the event that your dishwasher does not have a basket, but an upper tray, put them by type and this will be easier when you store them. This same recommendation will be used for the basket.
Step 6.
The longest cutlery we use for cooking, such as shovels, skimmers, or ladles should go on the top tray. Placing them in the basket could clog the dishwasher spray arm.
Step 7.
The glasses, cups, and bowls go in the upper tray of the dishwasher and are placed upside down so that the water reaches the inside and is washed well.
Step 8.
Check the salt and rinse aid levels. Most devices warn you when any of them are missing and do not skimp on their use, especially with salt if you live in an area with very hard water.
The salt “fights the lime in the water and prevents it from damaging both the dishes and the internal ducts of the dishwasher”, they explain from Bosch. As for the rinse aid, do not substitute it for any other product or obviate its use even if you use an ‘all in 1’ detergent.” Normally they come with an insufficient quantity to offer optimal results”, they explain the OCU.
Step 9.
Dishwashers have rotating blades and water flows out of them. Check that they rotate without bumping into any utensils.
Step 10.
Put the detergent or washing tablet in the appropriate compartment. Don’t just put it in the dishwasher as it will come off during prewash and dishes, glasses and cutlery will not wash well.
Step 11.
When the dishwasher finishes, wait until everything is dry and cold to store it, since “the hot dishes are more sensitive to knocks and impacts”, they say in Bosch.
OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO DO TO MAKE THE DISHWASHER WASH WELL
In addition to following the step-by-step that we have just detailed, for the dishwasher to clean correctly there are several things you can do to get a wash of 10.
- Place the dirtiest valve in the lower tray, since this is where the water jet will come with the most power.
- Put the dishwasher on full load. This way you will achieve savings in water and energy.
- Use the correct dose of detergent. Ideally, follow the recommendations of each manufacturer. If you pour a little, all the dirt will not be removed; but also if you go over there may be soap residue. In addition to the unnecessary expense involved.
- Clean the filters. At least once a week. And the same with the detergent dispenser. If the dishes are dirty, it will be the first thing to check. As dirt accumulates, washing does not perform well and results in excess energy use.
- The blades are also cleaned. Take them out – it depends on the device, but most unscrew or with a simple pull come out easily – and clean the grooves well. Do it a couple of times a year.
DISHWASHER SAVES
If you are thinking that washing dishes and cutlery is cheaper than putting the dishwasher in, you are wrong. According to a study by Canal Isabel II, water consumption is considerably reduced by using the dishwasher instead of scrubbing by hand.
According to their data, a typical house in Madrid consumes an average of 88.8 liters of water a day when scrubbing the pots. Instead, it is reduced to 54.2 liters when using the dishwasher. This supposes a reduction of the consumption of water of 15,9% or what is the same 34.6 liters.
In terms of energy, the study also confirmed that the use of the dishwasher represents a saving of 1.06 kWh per day –due to the reduction in the use of hot water used–, so the annual savings will also be significant.
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