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Nothing is more frustrating than a dishwasher that does not wash the dishes. In some cases, the dishwasher is a newer unit and is still not cleaning the dishes.
In fact, 15 percent of new dishwashers break within the first two years. Of these dishwashers that fail, nearly half of them break multiple times.
One of the root causes of these failures may be that the dishwasher is dirty. A dirty dishwasher may clog the drain and prevent it from cleaning properly.
Clearly, the dishwasher not cleaning dishes is a serious problem with long-term consequences. Read on to learn how to clean a dishwasher and prevent these issues from occurring.
What Kind of Problems Does a Dirty Dishwasher Cause
The first problem that a dirty dishwasher will cause is clogged drains and filters. If the drain is not working properly, dirty water is used in the rinse cycles. Clogged drains and filters lead to leaks as well.
Another issue that may occur is dirty dishes. There may be food particles remaining on the dishes after the cycle is over. Also, there may be grease leftover on pans or cup stains.
A bigger issue could be seals that are breaking down in the dishwasher. This happens because of a buildup of grease and food inside. As a result, leaks are often observed by the bottom of the dishwasher door.
Lastly, the dishwasher itself may be visibly dirty and smell bad. The dishwasher may also lose efficiency and take longer to clean dishes thoroughly.
How to Clean the Dishwasher
Although robots are changing the cleaning industry, dishwashers still must be cleaned manually. Most experts agree to clean dishwashers once a month.
There are a number of different ways to clean the dishwasher. Dishwasher magic can be run with a wash cycle along with commercial products or vinegar.
Fill a dishwasher-safe cup with vinegar and place it facing up on the top rack. Vinegar is a great way to remove lingering odors. Also, vinegar is effective in washing away food along with grease buildup.
Some have discovered that stopping the cycle mid-wash helps remove stubborn buildup. This lets the vinegar sit on the bottom where all the drains and grates are. Allow the vinegar to work for half an hour and turn the cycle back on.
Another cleaning step is examining the drain. Remove the bottom rack and make sure the drain is free of debris.
The spinning arms have holes on them that allow water to flow through. These also need to be checked for buildup.
Its important to wipe down the seals as well. As alluded to earlier, degrading seals are a common cause of leaks.
To prevent this, wipe the seals down with a cloth soaked in vinegar. Depending on the dishwasher design, some may need a toothbrush to scrub the hard-to-reach areas.
Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes Wrapping It Up
The dishwasher not cleaning dishes is a strong indication that it needs a cleanup. By cleaning the dishwasher once a month, expensive failures can be prevented.
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