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Dishwasher Tips
Q . I've noticed a "sand-like" deposit in
my glasses. How can I get the best cleaning results with my dishwasher?
A. Good cleaning results are related to loading practices, cycle
selection, water conditions and detergent type and amount. Here are some
tips for improved performance:
Load glasses so they are not touching to help insure the water spray
reaches all soiled surfaces. DO NOT place glasses over tines. This
interferes with the wash action and traps particles inside glasses. Simply
rest the glasses against the rack tines for support. The shape of the
glasses also affects the cleaning results. Items with a narrow opening
(similar to baby bottles or vases) are difficult to rinse.
Select the appropriate cycle based on the amount of food soil, not the
number of dishes in the load. If food particles remain, a longer cycle may
be required. Check the User's Guide for specific cycle recommendations.
Check the water temperature. Water entering the dishwasher should be
between 120-140 F to properly activate detergents and dissolve greasy food
soils. Select water heating options if the water temperature is 120 F or
below or if several hot water using activities, like showers or laundry,
have just occurred.
Adjust the amount of detergent to match the water hardness and soil level.
As a general rule, use 1 teaspoon of detergent per grain of water hardness
with a minimum of 3 teaspoons in soft water. Place detergent in the main
wash cup for a light wash or shorter cycle. For a normal or longer cycle,
place detergent in both cups. Contact a local utility or water treatment
company, such as Culligan, to determine your water hardness. If the
hardness is over 15 grains per gallon, a mechanical water softener may be
the only permanent solution.
Always use a detergent formulated for use in a dishwasher. These have
special suds suppressing ingredients to breakdown any suds which could
interfere with the wash action. Occasionally, liquid dishwashing
detergents will suds more than granular. If this happens, switch brands or
use a granular detergent. However, regardless of type, more consistent
cleaning results occur with national brand detergents than with store
brands or generics.
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