Dishwasher hacks for a stress-free Thanksgiving cleanup

Thanksgiving dinner is wonderful, but the cleanup? Not so much. Don’t let a pile of dirty plates ruin your holiday! Let your dishwasher do the heavy lifting, and follow these clever hacks to make your Thanksgiving cleanup a breeze. Here’s how to maximize dishwasher efficiency, keep it running smoothly, and tackle common issues so you can kick back and relax.

Getting the most out of your dishwasher on Thanksgiving

Load strategically

• Top rack: Place cups, glasses, and delicate items facing down at an angle to let water drain. Large utensils can also go up here (as long as they don’t block the spray arm).
• Bottom rack: Load plates and serving dishes with the dirtiest sides facing inward to the spray arm. Pots and pans fit best on the bottom rack, tilted slightly so water can reach every crevice.
• Silverware basket: Mix up knives, forks, and spoons to avoid them nesting together. Alternate directions, some handles up, some down, for a thorough clean (but keep sharp knives pointed down for safety!).

Additional useful tips

1. Scrape, don’t rinse: Pre-rinsing wastes water and can make detergent less effective. Scrape off large food chunks instead, modern dishwashers are built to handle the rest.
2. Use the right detergent: Opt for quality dishwasher pods or detergent. Powder can clump, and liquid detergents sometimes leave residue, especially with a heavy holiday load.
3. Don’t overload: It’s tempting to cram it all in, but overloading blocks water flow. Think of the spray arms’ path and make sure nothing is obstructing them.
4. Use short cycles when possible: For lightly soiled dishes, use a shorter cycle to save water and energy. Most dishwashers have an eco or express setting that works great for smaller, less greasy loads.
5. Stagger dishwashing loads: If you have too many dishes for a single load, start running the dishwasher during dinner. By the time dessert rolls around, you can unload and start another batch. This way, dishes don’t pile up, and cleanup becomes more manageable.

Want to know how to keep your dishwasher in great shape after this marathon of cleaning? Let’s move on to some maintenance tips!

Read more:   Thanksgiving appliance checklist: What to check and fix before the holiday

Filter cleaning and preventing clogs

Dishwashers work hard for us, especially during the holidays. Keeping yours in top shape just involves some quick and simple maintenance steps you can do yourself. The filter is your dishwasher’s secret weapon against clogs and bad smells. Thanksgiving means lots of mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and stuffing, all of which can cause clogs. To clean it:

• Locate it at the bottom of your dishwasher (usually under the spray arm).
• Unscrew or lift it out.
• Run the filter under warm water, and use a soft brush to remove stubborn gunk or trapped food particles.

Additional tips

• Avoid letting fibrous or starchy scraps get into your dishwasher (e.g., potato peels, celery, and gravy). These can clog filters and hoses.
• Grease from turkey and gravy can congeal and clog up your dishwasher. Wipe greasy plates with a paper towel before loading them to keep your filter and hoses clear.
• After the Thanksgiving hustle, treat your dishwasher to a deep clean. Place a cup of white vinegar in the top rack and run an empty cycle on the hottest setting to break down grease and clear any buildup.
• Food particles can get stuck in the spray arm holes, reducing cleaning efficiency. Remove the spray arms if possible, rinse them thoroughly, and use a toothpick to clear any clogged holes.

Read more:   How to maintain your dishwasher during Thanksgiving and the holiday season

Troubleshooting common dishwasher issues

With extra loads and heavier use, Thanksgiving can be tough on your dishwasher. Here’s how to troubleshoot common issues and keep things running smoothly:

Strange noises: If your dishwasher is sounding like it’s doing a drum solo, here’s what to check-

• Loose items: Make sure nothing, like utensils or a rogue plate, is hitting the spray arms.
• Blocked spray arm: The spray arm could also be blocked by larger items. Adjust your load so the arm can spin freely.
• Worn pump: If noises persist, the dishwasher’s pump or motor might be worn out and need replacement. You can find the part you need at www.appliancepartspros.com.

Leaks: No one wants to step in a puddle on Thanksgiving night. Some common causes are-

• Door seal: Check the door gasket (rubber seal) for cracks or food particles. Wipe it clean and make sure it’s properly seated.
• Overfilled dishwasher: Too many suds or overloading can also cause leaks. Make sure you’re using the right amount of detergent and don’t crowd your machine.
• The drain hose: Make sure the drain hose is not kinked or blocked. A clogged drain hose can cause water to back up and leak out of the dishwasher.

Dishes not drying: With all those plates to put away, damp dishes are no fun. To help in the drying process-

• Use a rinse aid: Make sure your rinse aid dispenser is filled, it helps dishes dry by reducing water spots and speeding up drying time.
• Open the door: Once the cycle ends, crack the door open slightly to let steam escape. This speeds up drying and helps prevent water spots.
• Check the heating element: If dishes are still wet, the heating element may not be working properly. Test it by running a cycle and feeling if it’s warm at the bottom.

More tips for a stress-free cleanup

• Empty the bottom rack first: When unloading, always start with the bottom rack to prevent any water left on the top rack from dripping onto your freshly dried dishes below.
• Use baking soda for odors: Sprinkle a cup of baking soda in the bottom of your dishwasher and run a short hot water cycle. This will help deodorize your dishwasher and keep it smelling fresh.
• Keep spare parts handy: Having a spare door gasket or filter on hand is a good idea if you know it may need to be replaced soon. It’s always good to have replacements ready in case of emergencies, especially during the holidays.
• Delegate tasks: Divide and conquer! Assign different family members to scrape, load, and unload. When everyone pitches in, the entire process becomes faster and a lot less stressful.
• Pre-soak stubborn items: If you have particularly tough, baked-on food, let those dishes soak in warm, soapy water before loading them in the dishwasher. This will help loosen residue and prevent it from caking on during the wash.
• Run your garbage disposal first: Your dishwasher drains through the same pipe as your kitchen sink, so running the garbage disposal before starting the dishwasher helps prevent backups and keeps water draining smoothly.

Read more:   How to get your dishwasher ready for Thanksgiving

Additional information

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get ready to enjoy your Thanksgiving with good food, good company, and no surprises!

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our other troubleshooting guides and videos.

If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more.

Be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!