Dishes don't come clean: These are the most common dishwasher errors

Your dishes just don't get clean in the dishwasher? Then it could be due to one of these common mistakes.

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Anyone who owns a dishwasher will hardly want to be without this ingenious invention from the 19th century. Century can no longer be imagined without it. The dishwasher has several advantages over washing dishes by hand.

Cleaning dirty dishes in the dishwasher has many benefits. It uses less energy than washing dishes by hand and is quicker. Especially if you have a lot of dirty plates, cups and glasses every day, the dishwasher can help you enormously and give you more free time.

However, to ensure that the dishwasher uses less energy and continues to wash dishes hygienically, there are a few things to consider. We have put together six common dishwasher errors that some people are sure to be caught making.

Mistake #1: Prewashing dishes

In many households, despite the dishwasher, the dishes are rinsed with water before they are sorted into the machine. But this is an unnecessary step that, on the one hand, wastes water and, on the other hand, does not contribute to a better dishwashing result. The dishwasher is there to clean dirty dishes. So give him dirty dishes too so that he can serve his purpose in your kitchen.

For relatively clean (pre-washed) plates, cutlery, etc., it makes little sense to carry out a complete rinse cycle. Just try it out and load the dishwasher without pre-rinsing. You will see – the dishes shine just as beautifully. Rinsing with water is really a waste.

Mistake #2: Leaving food residue on the dishes

Your dishwasher will clean your dishes without pre-rinsing - that's for sure. But that doesn't mean that you should just put plates with larger leftovers in there. If you, your children or your guests have not finished the portion, you should definitely remove the remaining food from the dishes.

You should also remove excess fat. Why? Food residue and too much fat clog the dishwasher filter and can cause unpleasant smells.

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Mistake #3: Using dish soap instead of tabs

Have you ever had the idea of ​​putting detergent in your dishwasher instead of tabs? Then you've probably realized that this isn't a good idea at all. On the one hand, you get poor cleaning results in the dishwasher with dish soap and, on the other hand, it foams very strongly.

So remember: Even if you no longer have cleaning tablets, do not use any products that are not intended for your dishwasher. This also includes dishwashing liquid.

Shopping tip: Influencer, chef and bestselling book author Stefano Zarrella recommends cleaning tabs from Somat – available for particularly stubborn food residuehbefore at Amazon.*

Mistake #4: Overloading the dishwasher

Another common mistake is loading the dishwasher with too many dishes. This blocks the water cycle and worsens the cleaning result. To ensure that the water circulates well and the dishes can be cleaned properly, you should not stack the dishes on top of each other. When putting things away, make sure that every object (plate, bowl, etc.) comes into contact with water evenly.

The permissible load is specified in the instructions for use of your dishwasher. You can also read tips and recommendations on how to properly sort glasses, cutlery and pots in the baskets there.

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Mistake #5: Do not clean the filter or only rarely

You can increase the washing performance and lifespan of your dishwasher if you regularly maintain this useful household appliance. You don't have to be a technician or specialist to do this. You can easily do this yourself using the instructions for use.

In order for the dishwasher to function properly, you should empty and clean the filters at regular intervals. You should also clean the container, spray arms and seals once a month. With maintenance you can avoid breakdowns and unsatisfactory cleaning of your beautiful dishes.

Mistake #6: Close the door after washing

Some people are bothered by the open dishwasher door. But it is a mistake to always keep the door closed. You should leave the dishwasher open for at least a few hours after washing. This is the only way it can ventilate and dry. This is important because otherwise mold can form and a bad smell can develop.

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We hope we were able to help you with our tips and tricks and ensure that the cleaning results are the best possible and that the lifespan of your dishwasher is long.