5 tips for sparkling dishes in the dishwasher…

Have you ever opened your dishwasher after a cycle and found your dishes a little tacky? Here are some tips and tricks that will help you get spotless dishes every time.

To rinse or not to rinse the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher?

Using a dishwasher reduces water consumption 3 to 4 times compared to washing dishes by hand. But by thoroughly rinsing your plates before starting your wash cycle, you are not only not reducing your water consumption but you are wasting it. Water is a rare commodity and every little gesture counts to save it.

However, it will be necessary to scrape off large food particles. Remember that certain foods (eggs, milk, lipstick, tea stains, tomatoes, etc.) tend to cling to the dishes, and it is best to rinse them lightly with cold water. Also, if you do not start the wash cycle immediately, it would be good to provide a rinse cycle.

Warning ! It is important to regularly clean the filter so as not to clog it with food leftovers.

The Electrolibre Notice : a dishwasher is not a trash can… too much food residue can affect its operation and develop bad odours.

Load your dishwasher correctly

• Leave space between plates, in the cutlery basket and between glasses so that water can flow freely and everything is properly washed and rinsed.
• Place the cutlery between the rods to better secure them. Use the practical tines of the shelves to place bowls, plates and glasses. This will separate the glassware for proper cleaning.
• Place the utensils in the basket provided for this purpose, with the tips of the knives upwards. Some utensil baskets have lids with holes that serve as dividers; use them to prevent forks, knives and spoons from sticking together. Thus, your utensils will always be better cleaned.
• The lower compartment is more exposed to heat, as it is close to the heating element, suitable for the dirtiest and least fragile parts.
• Do not overload the dishwasher. The water needs space to circulate in order to wash and rinse well between each part.
• Check that the wash arms turn without any difficulty; if necessary, move the dishes.

Use a good detergent and rinse aid

Quality cleaning is obtained with a good dishwasher but also with a good detergent .

Tablets with their slower dilution than powder, liquid or gel detergents are generally more effective. Place them in the dispenser provided for this purpose and the detergent will be dispensed at the ideal time of the program. There is no need to add any to the prewash dispenser.

A rinse aid is highly recommended and even essential if you want your dishes to be sparkling and free of stains or white residue.

The Electrolibre Notice : Carefully read the labels of products to clean dishes! Some products contain phosphates. For the sake of ecology, they are to be avoided. Also be careful when using vinegar as a rinsing agent; its acidity could damage the seals.

Check your water temperature

Set your water heater to 120-125 degrees Fahrenheit for the ideal temperature of clean dishes; a higher temperature could cause too rapid drying. This means that the water evaporates before it can gently flow away and take the last bits of food with it. If you continue to see a stuck-on film of dirt after a cycle, the solution could be as simple as lowering the temperature.

The Electrolibre Notice : Before you even start your dishwasher, get ahead of the game by running hot water through your sink faucet. The first cycle will then start immediately with hot water instead of cold water.