Although dishwashers come in many different name brands, for the most part, they work about the same and have many of the same parts that require maintenance now and then. Using these simple and effective maintenance tips should keep your dishwasher running for years with few problems.
Gaskets
Most dishwashers have an inner seal or gasket around the door to keep the water sealed inside when the washer is running. For routine maintenance, you should clean the seal once in a while to remove mildew, mold and dirt that build up around the seal.
If you notice water leaking on the floor in front of the door you may have a worn gasket that needs replacing. Most home centers may sell new gaskets or you could purchase one from the dishwasher manufacturer.
Food Traps
Well-designed dishwashers come with a food trap located in the bottom of the machine. As bowls and plates are cleaned, food is washed off of them and it collects in a food trap at the base of the machine. Clean out the trap about once a week to keep your dishes coming out sparkly clean.
Rust
Eventually after years of use, you may damage the rubber coating on dish racks or prongs that hold your dishes. When this happens, it exposes the metal support inside the rack, which may show signs of rust. This can easily be repaired by purchasing a dishwasher repair kit to reapply a fresh coating of vinyl paint.
Sprayer Arms
Every dishwasher has a system designed with sprayer arms. When the dishwasher is started, the arms spray down the dishes from several directions to remove food and grease. Eventually the holes in sprayer arms can become plugged and need to be cleaned. Simply soak the arms in water and vinegar, and run a pipe-cleaner through each hole to remove debris.
Overall, dishwasher maintenance is easy, quick and fairly inexpensive. Taking just a few minutes now and then to look for leaks, corrosion and keeping the food trap clean will keep your dishwasher running at its best for many years to come.
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