What to Do If Your Dishwasher Isn't Cleaning

As kitchen appliances go, there are few loved more than the dishwasher. They can be a major time saver – that is, if your dishes are coming out clean. Let's take a quick look at a few steps you can take if your dishwasher is not doing its job.

Clean your dishwasher

Dishwashers are one appliance in your house that require regular maintenance. They can become unclean and reduce the performance of their function leading to reduced functionality which is not what you want for your dishwasher!

So let's clean it up with a quick recipe, shall we? Place about 1 cup vinegar on top rack and run it.

Follow this up by adding 2 tablespoons of baking soda around base before running through another cycle.

Make sure you are loading your dishwasher correctly

You might be surprised to learn that there is a 'right' and 'wrong' way to load your dishwasher. Loading instructions also vary between different makes and models. If your dishes aren’t coming out super sparkling clean, find out if you can track down the operator's manual. It is always best to follow the manufacturer's instructions for how to load the dishes in the dish racks. This simple step could fix the problem.

Check the dishwasher's drainage

Although you can't see anything clogging the inside of the drain filter, that does not mean that the drain itself is clear. Most dishwasher models allow you to take the internal drain assembly off so that you can get at the drain without having to pull out the dishwasher.

A partially-blocked drain will lead to dirty dishes. A fully-blocked one can cause a nasty catastrophe, so it's worth taking some time and getting in there yourself if your dishwasher has an internal assembly for this purpose!

Time to call an appliance repair professional

If you’ve tried these steps above and your dishwasher still isn't working correctly, it is time to call in an appliance repair professional. Continued use may damage your dishwasher and could cause water damage to your kitchen flooring. If the dishwasher is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer as they will likely have a contract with a local repair shop.

We can't help you with your appliances, but we can help you with your real estate needs. If you're in the market to buy or sell your home, contact us today. Our professional team is happy to help.

Kapolei Real Estate Agent