How to get the
best from your dishwasher
Dirty dishes, strange odours—is your dishwasher letting you down? Here are our tips to get the most from your machine.
Before
using
Preparing your machine
before washing is probably the most
important step, since a well-organized
dishwasher is twice as effective. Take the time
to properly load your dishes by using the right techniques:
- Rinse your dishes with running water before placing them in the dishwasher, especially if you don’t plan on running the machine right away.
- Avoid overloading the dishwasher, and check to make sure nothing is blocking the spray arms.
- As the heat sources are located at the bottom of the dishwasher, place your dirtiest dishes below, and more fragile items (which could warp) above.
- Place knives with the point facing up.
Choosing the cycle
Have you explored all of your dishwasher’s various programs? Whether by laziness or simply by habit, most of us tend to use the same cycle for every wash. Bad move! Like the washing machine you use to wash your clothes, your dishwasher offers various programs according to the load and degree of dirtiness. So, be sure to use the various options. Using the right cycle will not only make your dishes shine, but will also help you save energy.
- Heavy wash: For very dirty dishes and a fully loaded machine. This cycle is ideal for pots, pans and other utensils that are difficult to clean.
- Normal wash: The most common cycle, perfect for
everyday tableware. - Short/quick wash: For lightly filled loads.
- Delicate wash: For delicate tableware, such
as china, crystal glasses, etc. - Economy wash: Midway between a short wash and normal
wash. This cycle is perfect for dishes that are less dirty, but
a machine that is fully loaded. - Auto wash: When in doubt, this feature allows the machine’s sensor to automatically adjust the cycle.
Products to use
For ultra clean, shiny dishes, you need more than just hot water. Be sure to use the following with your dishwasher:
- Dishwasher salt – to avoid lime scale deposits and white
streaks on your glasses. - Rinsing agent – to eliminate residues that can build up on
tableware, help it shine and speed up drying time. - Detergent (powder, pods, liquid) – Which formula works best? There’s no right or wrong answer. Each has its pros and cons:
- Pods: simple to use and super effective, but generally more expensive than other products
- Liquid: very concentrated and quantity can be adjusted as needed, but not as portable and less easy to store and use
- Powder: generally less expensive, but less easy to store and requires dry hands when using
Hot dishes are much more delicate than cold ones. Once the cycle has completed, be patient and let the glasses, plates and utensils dry and cool down completely before putting them away.
For every
problem there’s a solution
Unpleasant odours
To do away with bad odours, it’s important to clean your dishwasher on a regular basis. As the door latches, hinges and seals are not washed during the washing cycle, it’s a good idea to wipe them down often with dish soap and water. Use a toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas and be sure to scrub the filter and filter housing.
For a complete wash, run the machine empty. Load the soap dispenser with baking soda or pour a cup of white vinegar into the machine before turning it on.
White spots
Every dishwasher comes equipped with a water softener, essential if you want to avoid white streaks due to mineral deposits, so be sure to use dishwasher salt in your machine. The first time you use it, fill the salt container completely and add a bit of water until the contents are level with the brim. When your dishwasher is low, a little red indicator will automatically light up.
Dirty dishes
Still have dirty dishes, even after washing them in your machine? There are several possible explanations for this. Did you choose an adequate cycle for the load and degree of dirtiness? Are you using a good quality detergent? Were your dishes and utensils properly rinsed and placed in the dishwasher? Etc.
Dishes that won’t dry
The solution is easy! Add a rinsing agent, which will help the water drain after the rinse cycle. The quality of drying depends on the concentration of lime scale in the water used by the dishwasher. The more lime scale there is in the water, the more rinsing agent you’ll want to use.
