How should you use and maintain your dishwasher?
Reading time 5-7 min
THE USE AND CARE OF YOUR DISHWASHER !
> What is the average life span of a dishwasher?
> What types of dishes are not recommended for the dishwasher?
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE LIFE SPAN OF A DISHWASHER?
According to GIFAM*, the average life of a dishwasher is 11 years (Brand name appliances purchased new and out of order when replaced).
To prolong the life of your dishwasher and to keep all its benefits, it is recommended that you maintain it regularly.
*(Groupement Interprofessionnel des Fabricants d'Appareils Ménagers (Interprofessional Group of Manufacturers of Household Appliances))
WHAT TYPES OF DISHES ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE DISHWASHER?
Most modern tableware is dishwasher safe.
If in doubt, check for the "dishwasher safe" symbol which is often placed under the item in question and often represented by a glass/plate and droplets.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of dishes that should be washed by hand if you want to keep them in good condition:
- Crystal glasses and jugs... this type of very fragile tableware could break and become tarnished.
- Gold-trimmed plates, cups, dishes and glasses... the gold could get damaged and come off due to the heat of the dishwasher
- Hand-painted tableware or porcelain: this would suffer the same fate as gold-trimmed tableware
- Some soft plastic containers that do not have the dishwasher safe symbol.
- Wooden spatulas, salad bowls, chopping boards, etc. as these can get deformed by the heat, or even crack and swell.
- Cast iron pots, pans and other items are not suitable for machine washing and may rust and then lose the characteristic flavour-enhancing properties of cast iron.
- Pots and pans with non-stick bottoms should be avoided as they can lose their non-stick properties.
WHY PLACE THE TABLET IN THE DETERGENT DISPENSER AND NOT DIRECTLY IN THE WASH TUB OR CUTLERY BASKET?
There is a real reason for this! If the tablet has been placed in the tub or cutlery basket, it will dissolve in the prewash. It may then not wash effectively during the wash cycle due to the lack of detergent.
This is because the compartment is designed to release the tablet under the effect of heat during the hot wash. The pre-wash is usually a cold wash and is intended to wet the dishes before washing.
The tablet compartment must be dry: if it is wet, the tablet may stick and will not fall into the tub when the compartment opens.
HOW DO I MAINTAIN MY DISHWASHER?
The dishwasher takes care of your beautiful plates, glasses and cutlery... but who takes care of it?
It collects any waste that is not discharged and can become clogged over time.
And a dirty dishwasher means that your dishes won't be washed properly which also leads to malfunctions. So it’s very important that you clean it regularly.
For example, you can remove the removable parts of the filter, sieve, rotating washing arms, etc. and clean them in hot soapy water. Also remember to clean the door seals with a sponge.
Over time, household appliances scale up due to limescale in the water, which limits their performance and increases their energy consumption.
Our D-Grease D-Grease tablet is the 2-in-1 solution for maintaining your dishwasher!
- It degreases, descales, cleans and eliminates odours.
- It allows you to deep clean your equipment and thus extend its life!
Run your dishwasher empty by inserting the D-Grease tablet into the compartment.
eurotab, the tablet expert
Did you know?
In 2021, 55% of households in United Kingdom owned a dishwasher (source: Euromonitor)
