Get cleaner dishes and fewer odors with these three easy actions…

Let me guess… you have a bit of a love-hate relationship with your dishwasher.

You love that it cuts down on scrubbing time. You hate the lack of reliability. Half the time glasses come out with that terrible cloudy film. Or, your spoon is caked in avocado bits that are now black. Ain’t that appetizing? 😉

Instead of playing roulette every time you start a wash cycle, follow these three easy steps. They’ll help your dishwasher perform at its best and extend its life.

1. Run hot water in your kitchen sink before starting the dishwasher.

Seems random. But, give it a try! Run too-hot-to-the-touch water from your kitchen faucet before you start your dishwasher. This lets your dishwasher have hot water instantly, which improves the performance… and the cleanliness of your dishes!

2. Clean your dishwasher trap.

Located under the lower sprayer of most dishwashers is a part called the trap. That thing collects any food, plastic and other materials to prevent them from entering the drain. By cleaning the trap, you reduce smells and increase the cleanliness of your dishwasher.

3. Clean your dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.

Give your dishes a gentle cleaning before loading them in. Otherwise, any particles that remain get stuck in the dishwasher trap and lower the performance of your dishwasher.