Get your dishwasher holiday-ready for sparkling dishes

The festive season is all about family, food, and fun—but all that cooking and entertaining can mean a lot of dirty dishes piling up! If you want your dishwasher to perform at its best, now is the perfect time to give your dishwasher care and attention. Here’s how to get your dishwasher holiday ready for sparkling dishes.

Dishwasher care: Descale your dishwasher for maximum efficiency

During the holidays, your dishwasher will be working overtime, so it’s essential to ensure it’s running smoothly. Limescale and mineral deposits can build up over time, affecting your dishwasher’s performance. By descaling your machine, you’ll ensure it runs more efficiently and your dishes come out sparkling clean.

Step 1: Empty the dishwasher

Remove all the dishes, utensils, and racks from your dishwasher to give the descaling solution full access to the interior.

Step 2: Clean the filter and spray arms

Clean the filter by rinsing it under warm water, and use a soft brush to remove any debris. Check the spray arms for blockages and clear them with a small brush or toothpick.

Step 3: Choose your descaling solution

A commercial descaler, like Aktivo Dishwasher/Washer Descaler, is ideal for effectively removing limescale and grime. It will also help sanitise and deodorise your machine.

Step 4: Run a cleaning cycle

Add the descaler as per the product instructions and run a full cycle with hot water to let the solution work its magic.

Step 5: Wipe down the interior

After the cycle, wipe the interior with a soft cloth to remove any remaining residue.

Step 6: Run a rinse cycle

To ensure there’s no descaling solution left behind, run a rinse cycle with just water.

Dishwasher care: Clean your dishwasher filter regularly

The dishwasher filter plays a crucial role in catching food debris and ensuring that water flows freely during the wash. A dirty filter can lead to poor cleaning performance and even blockages.

How to clean the filter:

Step 1: Safety first

Before you start any maintenance, make sure your dishwasher is turned off and unplugged.

Step 2: Locate and remove the filter

The filter is typically found at the bottom of the dishwasher, beneath the bottom rack. It’s usually a twist-off part.

Step 3: Rinse and scrub

Rinse the filter under warm water and use a brush to scrub off any stubborn debris. If needed, soak it in soapy water for 15-20 minutes before scrubbing.

Step 4: Reassemble and test

After cleaning, reassemble the filter and run a test cycle without dishes to check everything is working properly.

Top Tip: Clean the filter at least once a month to keep your dishwasher running smoothly.

Dishwasher care: Deep cleaning

Regular deep cleaning of your dishwasher helps to eliminate built-up grime and prevents bad smells. This is especially important before the holidays when you’ll be using your dishwasher more frequently.

How to deep clean your dishwasher:

Step 1: Remove removable parts

Take out the racks, trays, and the cutlery basket, and soak them in warm soapy water. Scrub any grime off with a soft brush.

Step 2: Clean the spray arms and filter

Use a small wire or skewer to dislodge any debris in the spray arms. Clean the filter as described earlier.

Step 3: Clean the door and seals

Wipe the door seals and the edges of the door with a damp cloth or sponge. Pay attention to any grooves where debris can collect.

Step 4: Run a vinegar wash

Place a dishwasher-safe bowl with 1 cup of white vinegar on the top rack and run a hot cycle. This helps remove grease and lingering detergent buildup.

Step 5: Final clean with baking soda

After the vinegar wash, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda into the bottom of the dishwasher and run a short hot cycle. This will help remove any remaining grease and neutralise any smells.

Step 6: Wipe down the interior

Finally, wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth. For stainless steel doors, use a specialised polish to remove fingerprints and smudges.

Choose the right detergent

Choosing the right dishwasher detergent can make all the difference in how clean your dishes come out. During the busy holiday season, you’ll want to use a detergent that can tackle tough stains and grease. We recommend Aktivo Ultra Concentrate Dishwasher Powder.

Detergent tips:

• Powdered detergents are great for tough stains and grime.
• Gel detergents dissolve quickly and are ideal for shorter cycles, but may not be as effective on heavily soiled items.
• Detergent pods are convenient and offer a combination of detergent, rinse aid, and other cleaning agents in one.

Don’t forget the Rinse Aid!

Using a rinse aid like Electrolux Rinse Aid can help your dishes dry more efficiently and avoid streaks.

Dishwasher care: Load your dishwasher properly

Proper loading of your dishwasher ensures that all your dishes get cleaned effectively. Avoid overloading the machine, as this can prevent water from reaching all areas and lead to spots and residue.

Avoid pre-rinsing your dishes

It may be tempting to pre-rinse dishes, but dishwashers are designed to handle food residue. Pre-rinsing not only wastes water but also means your detergent has less to cling to, reducing its effectiveness. The experts at Finish found that pre-rinsing dirty dishes is an unnecessary use of water and can waste up to 65L of water per wash load! Simply scrape off large food particles before loading your dishes into the dishwasher.

Loading tips:

• Keep utensils together: Place forks and spoons handle-first in the cutlery basket, with the prongs and spoons facing up. Always place sharp knives handle-down to avoid accidents.
• Place glasses and cups on the top rack: Load them at an angle to allow water to drain off.
• Heavy items go on the bottom rack: Plates, bowls, and pots should be placed on the bottom. Ensure they are not blocking the spray arms.
• Don’t overload: Leave enough space between dishes so water can circulate freely.

Easy fixes for common dishwasher problems

Dishes & glassware not drying

• Add rinse aid to prevent spotting and enhance drying
• Open the dishwasher door partially after the cycle is complete to release residual steam
• Stack your dishes with ample space between them to improve water and air circulation

Stubborn water sports on clean dishes and glasses

• Avoid using too much dishwashing detergent which can leave a soapy residue
• Use rinse aid to remove excess water
• Add water softener salt to your dishwasher for better cleaning and to prevent stubborn streaks

Dirty dishes and glassware

• Check that you are not overloading your dishwasher
• Give your dishwasher a deep clean
• Inspect and clean clogged spray arms
• Remove and clean your filter

Smelly dishwasher

• Give your dishwasher a thorough, deep clean
• Descale your dishwasher

Dishwasher is leaking

• Check door seal to ensure its not cracked or damaged
• Inspect drain hose for cracks and deterioration and make sure its securely connected
• Replace faulty water inlet valve
• Check that your dishwasher is level

Dishwasher won’t drain

• Check the sump and remove excess water before checking for trapped food particles
• Inspect your kitchen drain and garbage disposal system for any clogs or blockages
• Remove and wash your filter

Dishwasher is making alot of noise

Inspect internal parts. Spray arms should freely spin, seals and bearing rings should be in place. If the noise continues, it may be time to seek the help of a professional to look at your pump and motor.

If the problem persists after you’ve attempted to fix it yourself, be sure to contact a professional to properly diagnose and resolve the issue.

Dishwasher do’s and don’ts for the holiday season

Do’s:

• Clean your filter monthly to keep your dishwasher running efficiently.
• Use a descaler before the holiday season to remove limescale and grime.
• Load your dishwasher properly to ensure your dishes come out sparkling clean.
• Remove and clean the spray arms to ensure there are no blockages
• Soften water in hard water areas with Aktivo Softener Salt.  This will keep your machine working at peak efficiency and effectively remove water marks and streaks on your dishes.
• Examine the drain and keep it free of food particles and debris to maintain water circulation and maximise cleaning power/
• Do check the door seals for any signs of wear or damage.

Don’ts:

• Avoid overloading the dishwasher, as this can lead to poor cleaning results.
• Don’t use too much detergent. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Pre-rinse your dishes. Scrape off large food particles and let the dishwasher do the rest.
• Ignore maintenance—a clean dishwasher is a happy dishwasher

By following these simple steps, you can ensure your dishwasher is ready to handle the extra load during the holiday season, keeping your dishes clean and your kitchen stress-free!

All the latest tips on the Statewide blog

Visit the Statewide blog where you can find our expert dishwasher tips for superior performance and savings and how to fix a dishwasher that is not drying your dishes properly.

Check out our YouTube channel

Need help with your home appliance repairs and maintenance? Check out our DIY videos on our YouTube Channel. All the expert hints and tips to make appliance repairs a breeze!

Dishwasher care & repairs with genuine spare parts

Statewide Appliance Spares have Australia’s biggest range of dishwasher spare parts for all the leading brands. Find genuine spare parts from Ariston, Bosch, Fisher & Paykel, Haier, Electrolux, Miele, Smeg, Westinghouse and more. We offer unbeatable prices and speedy delivery across Australia.