The dishwasher remains one of the best investments in the kitchen. It greatly simplifies your life and saves you a lot of time, especially if you have a large family or if you often receive guests at home. But, do you think you are properly caring for your daily companion? If you want to extend its lifespan, save energy and have dishes that are always clean, it is absolutely necessary to banish certain recurring errors. Are you used to systematically closing the appliance door following a wash cycle? That’s why you don’t have to do it anymore.
Using the dishwasher – Source: spm
In times of energy crisis, like the one we are currently experiencing, it is important to know how to use the household appliances that we accumulate at home correctly. Therefore, if you want to save electricity, it is essential to take special care of your dishwasher, as it is very energy-intensive. It’s fine to use it daily to save yourself the manual washing of plates and cutlery, but if you neglect its maintenance, it will cost you far too much!
Admittedly, most people neglect cleaning their dishwashers. Under the pretext that it is constantly in contact with liquid detergents or special tablets, we tend to believe that it stays clean all the time. Fake ! The accumulation of dirt and residues of detergents end up clogging certain components and causing unpleasant odors. Not to mention the damage caused by limestone and excess humidity which generates mold in certain places. Result: the appliance is less efficient and your dishes are not washed properly. So much so that you end up repeating wash cycles and wasting energy. That’s why regular cleaning is necessary to preserve the longevity of your dishwasher and avoid unnecessary costs.
Read also: Most people put dishes in the dishwasher like this and it’s a big mistake
As you know, the internal basket of the appliance has various spaces and compartments where you can arrange plates, cutlery and utensils in an organized way. You must then select a washing program from the various options offered. Precisely, in order to maximize savings and reduce energy consumption, it is always better to wait to load the appliance so as not to multiply the washing cycles. Without cluttering it too much either: it’s not a catch-all, don’t forget that. If it is overloaded, the washing will not be optimal and you may even damage it.
Should the dishwasher door be closed following use?
Close the dishwasher door – Source: spm
At the end of the wash, almost all of us have the habit of closing the dishwasher door. A priori, probably, we thus think to protect it from the microbes of the ambient air. Well, that’s a big mistake! Ventilation is essential to prevent the formation of humidity and vapor inside. You thus avoid the phenomenon of condensation on the walls of the device and you protect, at the same time, its internal components. However, by closing the door, not only do you risk damaging it (and reducing the life expectancy of your appliance), but above all you promote a warm and humid environment for bacteria and mold that can alter your dishes.
Read also: The washing machine consumes a lot of electricity, 1 handful of this ingredient is enough to save
You now understand why it is essential to always keep the door open following each use.
Moreover, if the dishwasher is in a rather small kitchen, it is even advisable to open the window to allow better ventilation in order to let the steam evaporate properly. What also protect your kitchen furniture.
In addition, for correct use of the dishwasher, it is recommended to use a good detergent to effectively remove grease and encrustations, but also to promote a deodorizing action. It is also important to respect the doses prescribed by the manufacturer to avoid detergent deposits in certain corners of the appliance. Finally, be aware that washing at very high temperatures is neither economical nor ecological. If your dishes are very dirty, an intensive cycle at high temperature (between 70°C or more) can be effective. But if you eliminate food residues before placing your dishes and cutlery in the basket, an economy program at a medium temperature (50 to 60°C) will allow you to wash your dishes correctly and avoid overconsumption of energy.
Read also: How to remove all burns from the pan with the trick of the dishwasher tablet?
