Like any home appliance, a dishwasher needs its fair share of maintenance to run up to par. The good news is that this maintenance is relatively straightforward and simple to complete. On that note, here's a look at some easy-to-implement dishwasher tips and tricks to keep your machine running as best as possible.

5 Tips for Making Your Dishwasher Run More Effectively

1. Clean the trap: The dishwasher trap is located under the bottom-most sprayer. For best results and to minimize dish recontamination, this trap must be cleaned regularly to remove food debris and grime that doesn't get properly washed away. On most new dishwasher units, the trap comes right out for easy cleaning in the sink.
2. Run hot tap water: Hot water is just better at cleaning than cold water. However, like any faucet or appliance, a dishwasher will often run cold water before the hot water has a chance to fully kick in. For a dishwasher, this may mean that the first wash cycle consists of either cold or lukewarm water. To ensure that the dishwasher runs hot water from the start, simply run the tap on hot water until it's hot.
3. Clean regularly with vinegar: Aside from the trap, dishwashers need to be cleaned on occasion for best results. This is fairly easy to do – just place one cup of vinegar into the dishwasher and then run it on a standard cycle. 
4. Clean out the drain hose: If your dishwasher has standing water in it after a cycle, chances are it's not draining properly. This is an easy fix, but you have to get underneath the sink to do it. Find the connection where the dishwasher hose meets the sink hose and disconnect it. Typically, you'll find it's been clogged up with grime and debris that will need to be cleaned out. 
5. Don't overload: Last but not least, don't overload the dishwasher! While it's tempting to want to cram as much in as possible, an overcrowded dishwasher is going to result in soiled dishes.

An in-unit dishwasher is just one of the many amenities our Mountlake Terrace apartments offer to community members. Contact us today to set up an appointment to see which floor plans are currently available.