How many times have you taken dishes out of the dishwasher not perfectly clean? And what about cloudy glasses? Perhaps you thought your dishwasher was starting to fail. In reality, in most cases, the secret lies in proper dishwasher maintenance.
Good maintenance helps prevent breakdowns, bad odors, and limescale buildup. Taking care of your dishwasher ensures flawless washes every time, as well as energy and cost savings.
Why maintenance matters
If neglected, the dishwasher can lose efficiency and consume more energy. Regular maintenance helps prevent some of the most common unwanted issues, such as:
- Clogged filter: Debris in the filter reduces the drainage capacity of the wastewater, causing bad odors, water stagnation, and decreased washing performance.
- Clogged nozzles: Water jet pressure from the nozzles can be reduced due to debris or limescale, lowering washing efficiency.
- Limescale buildup: It can damage the heating element and increase energy consumption. The minerals in hard water can deposit inside the dishwasher and damage its parts.
- Mold and bad odors: The constant presence of moisture and organic residues promotes mold and bacteria growth, causing unpleasant smells. Pay attention, especially in the detergent drawer or on seals.
- Inefficiency: If you forget to set the water hardness level (or set it incorrectly), the dishwasher won’t dispense the right amount of salt. Excessive salt can corrode metal parts, while low doses promote limescale buildup.
Simple Steps for Effective Dishwasher Maintenance
1. Clean the filter regularly
The filter collects debris during washes and is crucial for the proper functioning of the dishwasher. You should clean it once a month with water and dish soap to prevent blockages. If it’s especially dirty, use a soft brush to remove stubborn deposits.
Smart tip: The hOn app will notify you when it’s time to clean the filter and arms, providing detailed instructions.
2. Descale the dishwasher
If the water is hard, limescale is more likely to build up, compromising the dishwasher’s performance. Here are three practical tips for descaling your dishwasher: Use a specific descaler like the Care+Protect 3-in-1 every 2–3 months. Alternatively, use a glass of baking soda (check compatibility with your machine first). Finally, regularly using dishwasher salt helps prevent limescale formation inside the machine.
3. Keep the rotating arms clean
Nozzles can get clogged, leaving you with dirty or not fully washed dishes. It’s important to remove and rinse them under running water, using a toothpick to gently clear any blocked holes. For a deeper clean, you can run an empty cycle with a descaling product.
Smart tip: With the hOn app, you can start a cleaning cycle for the basket directly from the app.
4. Adjust the water hardness and correctly dose salt and rinse aid
Water hardness affects washing effectiveness and limescale formation. Make sure to set it correctly on your dishwasher’s control panel to optimize salt and rinse aid consumption. A good practice is to always use dishwasher salt to prevent limescale buildup.
Smart tip: The hOn app allows you to set the water hardness and alerts you when it’s time to add salt and rinse aid.
Additional Tips for Proper Dishwasher Operation
WHAT TO DO:
- Clean plates with paper towels (even used ones) before loading them.
- Use rinse aid to improve drying and the shine of glasses.
- Leave the door slightly open to prevent mold and bacteria formation thanks to air circulation.
- Don’t forget to carry out the proper maintenance tasks
WHAT TO AVOID:
- Don’t ignore strange noises: they may signal an issue
- Avoid harsh detergents that can damage internal parts
Did you know…?
A well-maintained dishwasher can reduce consumption by up to 30%! With the help of the hOn app and Care+Protect products, you can keep your dishwasher running efficiently for longer.
Among the main benefits of maintaining your dishwasher, you’ll enjoy energy and water savings because performance will always be high and you won’t need to rewash dishes that are still dirty.
By taking care of your dishwasher, you prevent damage to internal components, extending its lifespan! Additionally, with a little attention, you can avoid sudden breakdowns and keep repair costs down.
Technology to the rescue: the hOn app
With the hOn app, you have an ally for your dishwasher maintenance. Taking care of it and keeping it in good condition has never been easier:
- Receive maintenance reminders for your dishwasher
- Get step-by-step cleaning instructions for each component
- Start the drum cleaning cycle remotely
- Set water hardness and optimize salt/rinse aid dosage
You can also check the health status of your dishwasher at any time.
With a little attention, following these tips, and with the support of the hOn app, you won’t have to worry about your dishwasher breaking down!
