Three Easy Tips That Can Help Your Dishwasher Last Longer

27 February 2016
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Your dishwasher saves you a significant amount of work every single time that it runs. Not convinced? Just try hand washing all your dishes for a day or two and you'll be making a pledge to never take your dishwasher for granted again. Instead of simply not taking your dishwasher for granted, you can really show your appreciation for this appliance by taking proper care of it. With the right approach, you can expect that your dishwasher will last for years, thanks to your care. Here are three easy ways that you can increase the life expectancy of your dishwasher.

Air Dry The Dishes

While it's convenient to let the dishes dry from the heat inside your dishwasher, the reality is that doing so risks shortening the life of the appliance – or leading to an unnecessary repair bill. When you set the machine to dry your newly washed dishes, it's running its healing element – which will eventually burn out. Watch for the appliance's washing cycle to end, and then open the dishwasher door and pull out the racks. This approach allows everything to dry by air, which not only can increase the life of the unit, but will also cut down on your home's energy consumption.

Avoid Running Partial Loads

It might occasionally be tempting to wash a small load of dishes rather than wait until your dishwasher is completely full. However, doing so simply means that the appliance will be running through a full cycle without giving you the advantage of washing a full load worth of dishes. Over time, this habit can mean that your dishwasher runs countless times more than it needs to, which can lead to a premature burnout. If you have just a handful of dishes that need cleaning, a better idea is to quickly wash them up in your sink and set them in a drying rack. This way, you can wait to use the dishwasher until it will have a full load.

Ensure That The Seal Is Clean

The seal that runs between the front edge of the dishwasher and the appliance's door is all that prevents the water from flowing out onto your floor. You can maintain the seal with ease by wiping it down with a wet cloth when it's dirty. Over time, food particles can gather on the seal and reduce its integrity. Eventually, this will cause the seal to fail and you'll be left with a leak in your kitchen and the need for a preventable appliance repair job.