5 Simple Ways You Can Improve the Cleaning Power of Your Dishwasher

Sometimes when a home appliance doesn't perform the way it should, you may think it's time to replace it, especially if it has some age on it. For example, your dishwasher is leaving food on the plates, or the silverware isn't getting completely clean are two common problems. It may not be because the machine is wearing out. Its poor performance could be caused by a problem you can easily fix. Here are 5 simple ways you can improve the cleaning power of your dishwasher:

1. Should You Pre-Rinse Your Dishes Or Not?
If you use a bargain brand detergent, you should thoroughly rinse your dishes before you put them in the dishwasher. According to Galttech's "Dishwasher Detergent Reviews and Buying Guide" you can skip the rinsing and still get sparkling results if you choose a name-brand dishwasher detergent. A brand like Cascade contains more food-dissolving enzymes than a cheaper brand.

2. Are You Using the Proper Cycles?
To improve the cleaning power of your dishwasher, choose the right cycle for each load, according to Best Buy. If the dishes have light soil, use a light cycle. On the other end of the scale, choose a heavy-duty cycle for dishes that are heavily soiled. For pots and pans that need a good cleaning, choose the pot-scrubber cycle.

3. Arrange the Dishes Properly
To get your dishes as clean as possible, arrange them so their their dirty sides face the center of the dishwasher. This way, the side that needs the most cleaning will get the full force of the dishwasher sprayer.

4. Arrange the Silverware So It's Not Nested Together
If you arrange the silverware in your dishwasher basket so the spoons are together, the forks are together, et cetera, you won't have to sort when you put them in the drawer. The downside is, the silverware (especially the spoons) can nest together and not get clean. It's better to place all knife blades down for safety. Place the rest of the silverware in with some of the handles up, and some down to prevent nesting.

5. Is Hard Water Making Your Glasses Cloudy?
To get rid of cloudiness and residue left on your dishes, use undiluted white vinegar. Simply fill the rinse aid dispenser before you start the machine. If you have very hard water, try sprinkling a half cup of baking soda across the bottom of your dishwasher too. The soda will help soften the hard water and neutralize odors in your dishwasher as well.

Resources
http://www.galttech.com/research/household-DIY-tools/dishwasher-detergent-soap.php
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=cat12076&type=page&faqID=1043363103468#9