Getting the most out of your dishwasher

The dishwasher is a great invention. Invented some hundred and thirty years ago it still saves us a lot of time, effort, energy, and water. Yet, most dishwashers could even be more efficient, provided users follow these simple tips and tricks.

What is there to know about dishwashers, you ask? In theory, you load them with dirty dishes, add some detergent (in whichever shape or form), and push a button. Right? Well, not entirely. If you don’t want to end up with “cleaned” plates still covered in food residue or stained glasses, we suggest you pay attention to these simple tips that will help you get the most out of your dishwasher.

Scrape that plate

As usually stated in the user manual (which nobody ever really reads), most dishwasher’s cleaning ability is compromised when you deposit too much food residue into it. Though it might seem obvious, scraping leftover food off the plates before putting them into the dishwasher is one habit to learn. Period. There’s good news too – you don’t have to pre-rinse the dishes, the high temperature inside the dishwasher will take care of it.

Check the water source

Are your cleaned glasses and plates still full of limescale residue? Hard water can have that effect. In case your dishes are still spotty after being washed in a dishwasher, check the water source. If your water is hard, use an additional water softener to prevent stains and mineral buildup. Also, always use only environment-friendly detergent(s).

Load it up, but be smart about it

Getting the most out of your dishwasher energy and efficiency-wise – as stated in the user manual – is to load it up with dishes. Yet, you should be smart about it – overcrowding or overloading the dishwasher can block the spray arms and prevent water from reaching all surfaces so the result might not be what you expected.

Cycle selection is there for a reason

If your dishwasher isn’t one of the late(st) models equipped with super intelligence, a bunch of sensors, and automated, well just about everything, it probably requires you to choose the appropriate cycle for the dishes that you are cleaning. Most dishwashers have some sort of a regular cycle for normal cleaning, a heavy-duty cycle for deep cleaning, and a light cycle for china or fragile items. There might be an eco(logical) cycle option for energy saving as well. If your dishes aren’t too dirty, you can choose the eco option or a program cycle with lower temperatures, as this will result in a lower energy bill.

There is (basic) maintenance too

Dishwashers aren’t maintenance-free devices. To avoid failure, leaks, and/or damage one should at least clean them occasionally. If you see stuck-on food particles, residual detergent, and mineral buildup on interior mechanisms of the dishwasher this means it is high time to clean it. You don’t need special chemicals for this task, just run your dishwasher on a normal cycle using two cups of white vinegar instead of detergent. Being extra thorough, you can also wipe down the interior walls and racks with a solution of vinegar and baking soda. Or use a special program, if your dishwasher has it, like Gorenje’s Self clean programme, for example.

A good thing to remember is to occasionally check for clogs. These usually develop in the spray arm and the drain, but the fix is quite easy. Just use a toothpick or needle to dislodge any particles.

Choose the best dishwasher for you

Not all dishwashers are alike. If you prefer user-friendly appliances check out the new Gorenje SmartFlex dishwashers. They have several tricks up their sleeves and enjoy the role of reliable kitchen sidekicks. More so, they completely adapt to your needs with a variety of functions and an adjustable and flexible interior.

The baskets of Gorenje SmartFlex dishwashers are equipped with highlighted movable elements and a customizable basket layout for easy loading. Every detail is carefully designed to make handling dishes as easy as possible. Equipped with three baskets they enable washing up to 16 place settings at a time. The fully flexible interior allows for different loading options, the use is simple and the washing effects are up to 30% better due to the third sprayarm.

They excel when you are in a hurry. A quick program called SpeedWash will do your dishes in only 15 minutes. Perfect for handling the volume of dishes created by having multiple guests in the house.