Bought a dishwasher but it doesn't clean well, wastes electricity, or breaks down quickly? You might be making one of these 7 mistakes. Read on to avoid them!
Mistake 1: Pre-rinsing dishes before loading them into the machine
Many people are accustomed to pre-rinsing dishes under the tap before loading them into the dishwasher. This is a mistake because:
- It wastes water – negating the machine's water-saving advantage.
- Dishwasher tabs need "soil" for the enzymes to work effectively; pre-rinsing too thoroughly will leave the tab with "nothing to do."
Correct: Simply scrape off large food scraps; no need to rinse thoroughly.
Mistake 2: Not using specialized salt
Vietnamese water has high hardness. Not using water softening salt will lead to:
- White residue on dishes.
- Machine damage due to calcium buildup.
- Significantly reduced effectiveness of dishwasher tabs.
Don't forget to add specialized dishwasher salt every 2-3 months.
Mistake 3: Using regular dish soap (Sunlight, Mr. Clean...)
Regular dish soap creates a lot of foam, which will:
- Overflow from the machine.
- Damage the pump.
- Void the dishwasher's warranty.
Always use specialized products: dishwasher tablets or powder specifically designed for dishwashers.
Mistake 4: Stacking dishes on top of each other
When dishes are stacked or loaded too tightly, water jets cannot penetrate, resulting in contact areas remaining dirty after washing.
Mistake 5: Using the Quick program for very dirty dishes
Quick / Fast Wash is only suitable for recently used dishes with little grease. For greasy pots and pans, use:
- Intensive (strong): high temperature, longer duration.
- Auto: the machine automatically detects the soil level.
Mistake 6: Not cleaning the machine regularly
Dishwashers also need to be cleaned like washing machines. Every month, you should:
- Remove and scrub the debris filter at the bottom of the machine.
- Run an empty cycle at a high temperature with white vinegar or a machine cleaning tablet.
- Wipe the door seals and rubber gaskets.
Mistake 7: Putting unsuitable items into the machine
Some items should NOT be put in the dishwasher:
- Sharp kitchen knives (they can warp and lose sharpness).
- Wooden items (they can crack, mold).
- High-quality non-stick pans (the coating can be damaged).
- Crystal, thin glass.
- Aluminum items.
Tips to help your machine work best
For clean dishes and machine protection:
- Use Largo dishwasher tabs imported from Germany, concentrated 18g/tab.
- Add salt + rinse aid regularly.
- Clean the machine monthly.
- Re-read the machine's manual to select the correct program.
Buy the full set of Largo accessories at a good price at www.sieutietkiem.com - German quality, savings on every wash.