Tips for better cleaning

If your experience with a dishwasher produces less than stellar glass and dish cleaning, the problem may not be with the washer, but with you big fella. You have to load the thing with an eye to exposure…exposure to the water and detergent. That means for example if you have two spoons “spooning” the unexposed parts are not going to come out clean.

Here are some other tips.
Make sure your plates dirtiest part faces the arm from which comes the pressurized water.

Don’t put large dishes or pots and pans in front of the soap dispenser. They may block the water from getting to the detergent and dissolving it. If the detergent doesn’t get in the water, it isn’t going to get to your dishes and make them shiny and clean.

And speaking of pots and pans, there are kitchen cleaners designed to be sprayed on the dirty inside and outside of the pans. No rinsing necessary, just pop them in the dishwasher on the post and pans cycle, and let the machine do the work.

Keep your stainless steel and your sterling (or even your silver plate) away from each other. Discoloration may follow and even pitting and black spots can occur. Maybe put your sterling in  one side of the basket and the stainless in the other…they just can’t touch.

Glasses are sensitive to too much detergent, so if you find clouding on your glassware, cut back on your detergent. You can also cut back on the amount of glassware you load into the dishwasher and remove them before the dishwasher starts its drying cycle.

And to freshen up the whole dishwasher, mix the same amounts of vinegar and water in a bowl and put it on the top rack of the dishwasher (empty unless you particularly like vinegar with your milk). Then turn your kitchen faucet water on and let it get as hot as it can get. Turn off the water, and run your dishwasher immediately following. It’s a cheap and easy way to keep your dishwasher and therefore your dishes clean and shiny.