How to maintain your dishwasher during Thanksgiving and the holiday season

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest cooking days of the year. Your oven, stovetop, and dishes will all get a hearty workout as you prepare a feast for family and friends. To help with cleanup, you’ll want to call upon your trusty dishwasher to handle the piles of serving platters, pots and pans, silverware, glasses, plates and more.

Like any appliance, your dishwasher needs some periodic maintenance and cleaning so it can run its best on Thanksgiving and other holidays.

Remember: Don’t wait until the last minute to check or repair your dishwasher. Order replacement parts early to avoid shipping delays, holiday closures and out-of-stock items. The sooner you check your machine and place an order, the more likely that you’ll get the part on time. You can grab your model number and check AppliancePartsPros.com for the correct parts.

Follow these tips to get your dishwasher prepped for the big days ahead!

Clean the interior

A clean interior will help all those dishes shine after washing and prevent foul odors. Plan to deep clean your dishwasher 1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving so you have a fresh machine to work with. Here’s how to target hidden gunk and food debris:

1. Check under the rubber door gasket flap for debris buildup and wipe it off.
2. Open the door and check the filter at the bottom. Remove any debris caught in the filter and soak and scrub it if it’s very dirty.
3. Check the spray arm holes for any obstructions. Use a toothpick to clear them.
4. Wipe debris from the detergent dispenser housing.
5. Remove built-up gunk around the dish rack rollers and mounting hardware.
6. Wash the interior with dish soap, warm water and a soft brush. Pay special attention to small, hidden crevices.
7. Put vinegar in the dispenser and run a rinse cycle to sanitize the machine.
8. Sprinkle baking soda in the dishwasher afterwards to freshen.

Watch: How to clean the dishwasher

Inspect and clean the racks

Dish racks can get greasy and degraded over time with the amount of dishes they hold. Give them some TLC with these tips:

• Remove the racks and wash them thoroughly with dish soap and water.
• Scrub away rust spots using fine steel wool. Avoid using abrasive tools on coatings.
• Check that the rack wheels roll smoothly. Replace any defective wheels.
• Confirm the racks fit snugly without sagging. Adjust or replace loose racks.
• Consider replacing very worn or rusted racks with fresh ones.

Read more: Painting And Repairing Rusty Or Damaged Dishwasher Racks

Check the water temperature

Dishwashers need to use hot water to sanitize and dissolve grease and food particles. Using hot water also helps prevent pre-rinsing or rewashing dishes.

Make sure your dishwasher reaches the proper wash temperature by following these tips:

1. Start an empty Normal or Heavy cycle and let it run briefly.
2. Put on some gloves and grab a thermometer.
3. Pause the cycle and carefully test the water with a thermometer.
4. Take note of the result. Dishwasher water temperature should be between 120°F and 140°F. If it’s cooler, you’ll need to adjust your water heater thermostat upwards in small increments. You may also need to replace old or defective heating elements in the dishwasher.

Check the rotation of the spray arms

Spray arms help water cover all the dishes during the washing and rinsing processes. The spray arms need to be able to rotate freely and remain clear of any debris.

• Remove the spray arms and examine each one for any cracks and obstructions. Remove blockages and other debris with a toothpick.
• Confirm the arms rotate smoothly when turned by hand. Listen for grinding sounds, which indicate something is worn out and needs to be replaced.
• Replace defective spray arm components like bearings or seals if needed.
• Adjust your dishes and racks to prevent contact with the spray arms during a cycle.

Read more: Surprising Things That Can & Can’t Go in the Dishwasher

Inspect the door seal

The door gasket (also known as a door seal) keeps the water and moisture in the machine to prevent leaks. If you notice any of the following issues, you’ll need to clean or replace your dishwasher’s gasket:

• Brittle or cracked regions that allow water to escape.
• Mineral deposits or soap scum buildup that’s interfering with a tight seal.
• Mold or mildew, which indicates a persistently wet gasket that needs cleaning.
• Gaps between the gasket and tub that allows for water seepage.

Read more: How To Replace A Dishwasher Bottom Door

Use a dishwasher-specific cleaning product

Hard water deposits and soap scum can slowly build up inside the dishwasher over time. There are specific dishwasher products that you can use monthly to dissolve the grime.

Some tips for using dishwasher cleaner:

• Check manufacturer recommendations on which products are approved for use in your dishwasher model.
• Never mix dishwasher cleaners. Stick to one product per wash.
• Add dishwasher cleaner to the detergent cup and run an empty Normal cycle.

Watch: How to replace dishwasher detergent dispenser

Adjust the dishwasher’s legs if needed

A rocking, unstable dishwasher can be noisy and unable to clean as well. Taking the time to level your dishwasher helps it operate at its best. Here’s how to do it:

• Make sure all four dishwasher legs touch the floor.
• Use a bubble leveler to make sure the dishwasher is evenly balanced side-to-side and front-to-back.
• Twist any adjustable feet under the front to raise or lower that side if needed.

Read more: Best Loading Techniques For Your Dishwasher

More information

Preparing your dishwasher before Thanksgiving with a thorough cleaning, maintenance checks, and adjustments will allow it to repay you with sparkling clean dishes and trouble-free operation all through the holiday season.

Thanks for reading! If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, you can find other resources and our DIY blog at AppliancePartsPros.com. There, you can enter your model number to order the exact parts you need. Most orders arrive in two business days.

You can also reach our award-winning customer service team at 1-877-477-7278, chat with a pro on our website and watch thousands of free video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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