Make your dishwasher work more efficiently

Wonder how you ever got along without your dishwasher? You don't really want to know. Follow these tips to make sure your memory doesn't get an unpleasant jog.

• Do you notice that it takes a moment or two for your kitchen sink water to get hot? If so, run the hot water from the sink faucet until it is hot before turning on the dishwasher.
• This way, the water will be hot when it enters your dishwasher, and it will clean your dishes more effectively.

• If the plastic coating on your dishwasher racks is chipped, the damage will spread as water works its way under the coating and causes the rack to rust.
• As soon as you notice a chip, go to your hardware store or home centre and pick up a can of synthetic-rubber coating.
• Just brush the stuff on the damaged area.
• If you find that small items are slipping out of the dishwasher's silverware basket and jamming the spray arm, place a piece of nylon netting at the bottom of the basket.

• Dishwasher rack jammed? The rollers may be sticking.
• Turn them by hand to loosen them. If they are worn and no longer round, replace them.
• Some can be removed by taking out screws; most simply pull off. If a rack sticks because it is bent, replace it.
• You can get replacement rollers and racks from appliance dealers who carry your machine's brand.

• Back when your grandmother was the dishwasher, she knew that vinegar is one of the best household cleaners.
• Now you can apply this age-old cleaner to your newfangled automatic dishwasher.
• Every six months, pour 250 millilitres (one cup) of distilled white vinegar in the unit, and run the regular wash cycle.
• The vinegar will dissolve soap residue and minerals that have collected throughout the dishwasher.

• When purchasing a dishwasher, one of the most obvious upgrades is to go with a stainless steel tub instead of a plastic one. But this is a false economy.
• Yes, stainless steel will outlive plastic. But it's irrelevant because a plastic tub will also outlive your dishwasher.
• The sole advantage of stainless steel is that it won't stain as a plastic tub might.

• If your dishes are still dirty after running the dishwasher, follow these steps:

  1. Check that the spray arm can turn freely — perhaps a small spoon or fork slipped down and jammed it.

  2. Check to see if the spray-arm holes are clogged. Just remove the racks, unscrew the hubcap holding the arm and lift it off. Use a stiff wire to open the holes fully. Rinse the arm well under running water.

  3. While you have the spray arm off, take a gander at the filter screen that's located right underneath the arm on the floor of the machine. If it is clogged, remove any clips that secure it. Hold the screen under running water and scrub it with a stiff brush.