How to get your dishwasher ready for Thanksgiving
Steven E / Thursday November 2, 2023
Matthew Mayo
The dishes will be piling sky-high this Thanksgiving. Greasy casserole pans, turkey platters crusted in gravy, chunky mashed potato bowls, and mountains of smudged wine glasses. Now is the time to make sure your dishwasher is prepped and ready to handle the upcoming feast without a breakdown. Taking time for maintenance before Turkey Day will ensure your dishwasher has the cleaning power and durability to tackle the mess left behind from all your holiday hosting and cooking.
Leave the dishes to your dishwasher
Thanksgiving is one of the biggest eating holidays of the year. And where there are big meals, there are even bigger messes requiring cleanup. Don’t settle for hand-washing piles of dishes at the sink while your guests relax. Let your dishwasher take care of the dirty work so you can enjoy more time with family and friends. But to avoid dishpan hands, you need a properly maintained dishwasher that’s ready for marathon washing sessions.
Read article: Surprising Things That Can & Can’t Go in the Dishwasher
10 Tips for dishwasher prep
Giving your dishwasher some TLC doesn’t require advanced technical skills. Just set aside 15-30 minutes for basic maintenance using these 10 tips:
Clean inside: Remove debris caught in the filter and food particles trapped along the bottom. Check the arms and racks for built-up gunk as well. A thorough cleaning gets rid of grime which can reduce water circulation and overall performance. Use a brush and hot water mixed with vinegar or dish soap. Additionally, you can run the dishwasher through with some Affresh tablets to clean it.
CLICK HERE FOR AFFRESH TABLETS
Inspect dispensers: Confirm the compartments that hold detergent and rinse aid aren’t clogged or faulty. If needed, replace dispensers so the right cleaning product amounts are released each cycle. Check that dispenser lids close properly.
Test racks: Make sure upper and lower racks slide smoothly in their tracks. Lubricate slide components with WD-40 if the racks catch or stick. Adjust the racks if they are misaligned.
Verify arms: Check that water spray arms rotate freely without obstruction. Remove particles or debris lodged in the arms. Replace if damaged. Spin arms manually to confirm proper movement.
Drain pump: Flush out any food particles or sediment trapped in the pump which can impede good drainage. Use a toothbrush to dislodge built-up grime.
Heating element: Hard water deposits and mineral buildup on the heating element reduce effectiveness. Inspect and clean the element to maintain proper water heating during wash cycles.
Flush jets: Use a toothpick or paperclip to clear limescale or hard water buildup clogging the spray jets. This allows full water flow. Run vinegar through for extra dissolving power.
Sanitize: Eliminate funky odors and freshen the interior by running an empty sanitizing cycle. Or use vinegar or baking soda solutions.
Listen: Ensure the dishwasher runs quietly with no unusual sounds, which could indicate issues with the pump, motor, or grinding gears.
Seals: Replace old, worn door seals that have cracks or gaps allowing water to leak out. Test by placing paper inside and closing – it shouldn’t pull out easily.
Dishes Without the Drudgery
Taking time to tune up your dishwasher means sparkling clean dishes and smooth operation on Thanksgiving day. Your dishwasher will happily gulp down all the turkey platters, wine glasses, chunky mashed potato bowls, and other dishware without leaks, clogs, or breakdowns. Don’t let dishpan hands put a damper on your holidays. Maintain your dishwasher properly so it can power through the piles of plates. Then relax and enjoy a more festive time with family while your dishwasher tackles the dirty work!
Read article: Leaving Dirty Dishes in the Dishwasher: How Long Can It Wait?
More information
Thank you for reading! We hope you found this information useful to get your dishwasher working for the holiday season.
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With nearly a decade of experience in providing top-notch customer service regarding appliance parts and repair, Steven enjoys sharing practical advice, troubleshooting tips, and interesting information to help readers stay informed.