Dishwasher

[Meg888]

My dishwasher doesn't seem to be cleaning properly. It seems to throw up a lot debris on finishing and the dishes are often still very wet. I've took out the round thing at the bottom and give a good clean and I'm very careful how I stack the dishes and rinse them prior to putting them in. To be honest, other than stacking it, I'm not that savvy with them as this was the first one I've had, which came with the house and no instructions! I'm sure it's a simple solution, but I haven't a clue!

[lilacben]

Have you put salt in it.? That helps to clean things properly.

[factor-fiction]

... and rinse aid. There's usually one or two filters as well that need cleaning

[Meg888]

Oh! I didn't know about that - where does the salt/rinse aid go? Is it just normal salt or special stuff and what is the rinse aid? Sorry I'm a bit thick! Thanks

[gingejbee]

If you're in a hard water area and no salt has been used in the water softener part, then jets and other parts may have become scaled up. You can buy products for giving dishwashers a good cleanout (Wilko etc).

[gingejbee]

... and I'd download a copy of the instructions from manufacturers' website!

[factor-fiction]

The rinse aid normally goes in a little compartment next to the dishwasher powder/tablet dispenser. (You have been putting powder in haven't you!).The salt dispenser is usually at the bottom- there is a cap to remove

[Meg888]

Thanks for your answers, hopefully this will sort it. Ha yes, Factor - I have been putting the tablets in - at least I think I have!!

[ummmm]

It's not good for a dishwasher to run without salt. Rinse aid makes things sparkle.

[LoftyLottie]

And quite honestly, rinsing dishes and getting rid of food bits is a good idea. Dishwashers aren't waste disposal units ;o)

[ummmm]

I wish they were. It's almost just as quick to wash them by hand after all the rinsing...

[LoftyLottie]

True u.mmmm

The chap who came to look at our dishwasher when it played up once, said that he deals with loads of broken machines caused by people who just shove things in without rinsing off the foot debris first. I have always rinsed first - I still get the occasional pea in the filter!!

I can't live without my dishwasher!!

[LoftyLottie]

'foot debris' ha ha - what a horrible thought!!!

I meant food of course :o)

[B00]

So in order for a dishwasher to work, you have to rinse them first anyway? Sheesh, as U-mmmm said, it's just as easy to hand wash them then!

So glad I decided against one, sounds more trouble than they're worth.

[boxtops]

as factor says, search for your dishwasher model manual on the internet - you can download them free for most models. That'll tell you.

[ummmm]

They are handy for cups, glasses and cutlery. The only trouble is....you needs loads of them....

[B00]

I've never seen the need for one to be honest, only 3 of us here, we never get that much of a build up to warrant the expense of a dishwasher.

And like Meg here, it'll be bound to break on me, lol.

[ummmm]

And boys are rubbish at loading them....whereas the can just about manage to wash up....just!!

[LoftyLottie]

The difference is dishwasher washing and hand washing has to be experienced BOO. They wash at temperatures that hands (even in gloves) couldn't manage and everything comes out sparkling. It doesn't take more than a minute to rinse bits of food of plates. The nice thing too is that you can work in a relatively clear space when cooking because instead of utensils, etc. mounting up, you can just put them in the dishwasher as you prepare.

I could never be without mine and there are only two of us. (and a cat and a dog).

I absolutely hate washing up by hand.

[Meg888]

I agree Lofty, since I've had this one I couldn't bare to be without it. Most of the time it only has to clean up after 3 of us but my OH drinks loads of pop/coffee/water and insists on using a fresh cup each time. But I've become incredibly lazy since using it, if something has not quite washed clean in there -it goes straight back in & stays in until it comes out clean!!

[ummmm]

I've just been on a cup hunt....but as the dishwasher is full I washed them by hand :-)