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How To Use Your Dishwasher
Whether you’ve just bought your first ever dishwasher or you haven’t upgraded in a while, our guide will help you get to grips with your new machine. From how to load it to working out what all those buttons do, read on for some essential tips.
What can I put in my dishwasher?
Dishwashers can wash pretty much most types of kitchenware. But it’s good to know what you can and can’t put in your dishwasher, so nothing gets damaged. Look out for the dishwasher safe symbol on your dishes, pots and pans, which means they can withstand hot temperatures. Take a peek at our short video to find out exactly what you can put in your dishwasher.
How to load my dishwasher
Some say it’s an artform, some say it’s a science, but loading the dishwasher the right way will give you the best results. Dishes and larger items should be loaded neatly on the bottom racks, with gaps between dishes for the water to reach all areas. Cutlery goes head down into the provided basket. The top shelf is for glasses, bowls and Tupperware. Face all these items down so that water can reach the most important areas. For a more in-depth guide, check out our short video.
Using the settings
Dishwashers come with a lot of cool settings and features, from super speedy quick washes to eco-friendly cycles that’ll save you money. Take a look at our short video to learn more about some of the most common settings and what they’ll do for your dishes.
Using detergent, salt and rinse aid
Dishwasher detergent usually comes in the form of tablets, but they can come in liquid and gel too. The detergent is what’s used to clean your dishes, pots, pans and glasses. Dishwasher salt, not to be confused with table salt, softens the harsh water coming in, which helps protect your dishes. Rinse aid is great for making your dishes come out shiny and dry. Find out more about these three cleaning tools and how and when you should use them in our short video.
How to clean my dishwasher
Our dishwashers do a fab job of keeping our dishes shiny and clean ready for tea, but sometimes they need a little clean themselves. Whether that’s running a rinse cycle every now and then or giving the filter a good scrub to stop blockages. It’s important to look after your dishwasher properly. Watch our quick video to find out how and when to give your dishwasher some TLC.
Using your appliances FAQs
- Do I need to use salt and rinse aid in my dishwasher?
Yes, it helps make sure your dishwasher cleans your dishes the best it can.
- How is dishwasher salt different?
Dishwasher salt is made up of 100% sodium chloride, unlike table salt that tends to be a mixture of additives. Dishwasher salt is safe to use in your machine, and it will soften the harshness of the water coming in, which is better for your dishes. Table salt on the other hand should not be used in your dishwasher, as the mixture of additives could be potentially damaging to the appliance.
- Can I open the dishwasher mid cycle?
Yes, you can, but you won’t be able to add anything as you’ll have missed half the cycle.
- Should I rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher?
You should definitely scrape away any leftover food, but you don’t have rinse your dishes.
- What shouldn’t I put in my dishwasher?
This will vary with each manufacturer, so check your product manual.
- Can you use vinegar instead of rinse aid?
No, vinegar is acidic, meaning it could damage your dishwasher.
- Can I use washing up liquid in a dishwasher?
Unless you want a soapy explosion in your kitchen, we’d recommend not using washing up liquid in your dishwasher.
- Can I sterilise glass jars in a dishwasher?
You can clean them in a dishwasher, but you won’t be able to sterilise them.
Caring for your machine FAQs
- What can I use to disinfect my dishwasher?
You can buy dishwasher cleanser from most supermarkets.
- Why does my dishwasher smell?
This is most likely due to bits of leftover food in your dishwasher. Take the filter out and it give it a good clean.
- How can I remove hardwater build up?
Use a good limescale cleaner. Limescale remover is a cleaning spray that tackles hard water build up. You can find it in your local supermarket, and you just need to spray the affected area and leave it for a few minutes before wiping it away.
- How do I get rid of mould in my dishwasher?
Keeping your dishwasher mould free is all down to looking after it and cleaning it once a month. Clean the dishwasher racks with hot soapy water every now and then to keep food residue at bay, and make sure there’s no moisture trapped inside the dishwasher. If you still have mould in your dishwasher, you can pick up a special dishwasher cleaner at your local supermarket.
- How often should I clean my dishwasher?
Manufacturers tend to recommend cleaning your dishwasher once a month.
