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Your dishwasher has one purpose — and the name says it all. You expect to open the dishwasher's door and find perfectly cleaned plates, bowls, and silverware. So when there's gunk, debris, and random food particles stuck to your dinnerware, you know that something isn't right.
Why is your dishwasher failing at its one and only job? The answer to this question isn't always easy or straightforward. There are several different issues at play, some of which are minor and others that are serious enough to require a replacement. Knowing what can go wrong with your dishwasher is the first step in piecing together the problem.
If your dishwasher isn't getting your dishes, silverware, pots, and pans clean, take a look at what some of the possible causes are. Even though you might not be able to fix the problem yourself, you will know whether you need to call a professional appliance repair technician or not.
Water Inlet Valve Issues
When water can't get into your dishwasher, the appliance can't fill. What happens when a dishwasher doesn't fill properly? There isn't enough water to clean your dishes.
Keep in mind, a stuck or faulty inlet valve may still allow some water in. This may trick you into thinking that there isn't an inlet issue. But when the valve doesn't allow enough water in to fill the machine to where it's supposed to (this will vary depending on your appliance), your dishes may come out with food and debris still stuck to them.
Hard Water Woes
Your glasses aren't gunk-covered, but they also aren't completely clean. This issue may have very little to do with the appliance itself. The real culprit may be the water. That's right, you may have hard water. Hard water is mineral rich, meaning that it has a higher concentration of minerals than pure water.
While hard water isn't a dishwasher problem, it can cause problems in your dishwasher. If you notice a filmy buildup inside of your appliance and on your glassware, chances are that you have hard water.
If left unchecked and untreated, your dishwasher's ability to do its job can seriously suffer as a result. This may mean that you start seeing more than just hard water spots and streaks. You may end up finding food particles on plates or pots and pans, leaving them looking like they've never been through the wash cycle.
Cleaning your dishwasher regularly can remove mineral buildup and stop problems before they start. You can also try a dishwasher detergent that has a water softener or a rinse aid in it. For a bigger fix, a whole-home water softener can stop the mineral buildup in your dishwasher and anywhere else that the taps flow.
Drain Filter Flubs
Your dishwasher has a drain. And like any other drain in your home, filling it with large food particles and other debris can cause a major clog. Luckily, your dishwasher has a drain filter to stop this from happening. It catches the potential problem pieces, stopping a clog before it starts.
To keep your machine working and draining properly, you need to clean the filter. Forgetting to do so for long periods of time leads to a buildup that prevents drainage. When your dishwasher can't drain, the food particles wash back up and redeposit on your plates, glasses, and anything else in the appliance.
Spray Arm Immobility
The spray arm does what the name says — it sprays. More specifically, it sprays water and detergent on your dishes, cleaning them. Plastic spray arms can warp or crack. Metal arms can bend or break. Along with these issues, the holes that the water sprays from can become blocked. If this happens, water can't come out with enough force to clean your dishes.
Do you need professional help repairing your dishwasher's spray arm? Whether you have a problem with this or with something else, Arrow Appliance Repair can help your dishwasher do its job and get your dish- and glassware clean.
Cleaning your dryer vent is more than a matter of prolonging the life of your dryer because safety is also another important consideration. This guide discusses how your dryer vent functions as well as why you should clean the vent on a regular basis.
Your dishwasher is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing your dirty dishes. Even when you rinse your dishes before placing them into the dishwasher, the appliance will accumulate with smells and debris over time, making it work a little less efficiently. Cleaning your dishwasher is essential to ensuring it is in proper working order. See below for cleaning tips.
WIPE DOWN SEALS
Wipe down the seals of the dishwasher to ensure it is sealing properly. A dirty seal may cause water to leak out of the dishwasher, which could end up as a mess inside your kitchen. Wipe down the seal around the door and just inside the dishwasher using a microfiber cloth soaked with vinegar.
CLEAN THE WASHTUB
Wipe down the inside washtub to get rid of stains and smells at least once a month. Use a vinegar-soaked cloth to wipe down the washtub walls and the door, including the detergent bins. You can also pour about a cup of vinegar into a measuring cup, set the cup in the top rack of the dishwasher and run the dishwasher on a normal setting to clean the washtub as well.
REMOVE STAINS
To help remove any stains inside the washtub, use baking soda and vinegar.
1. Sprinkle the baking soda over the stain.
2. Pour a bit of white vinegar over the baking soda.
3. Allow the mixture to sit for about ten minutes, then wipe it clean.
If you follow these steps, the stain should come clean. But if it doesn’t, repeat the steps.
CLEAN THE SPRAY ARMS
The spray-arm holes can accumulate with calcium buildup or even food particles. Use a toothpick to pick out any debris if you can; otherwise, use the steps below to clean these out.
1. Remove the spray arms from the bottom of your dishwasher.
2. Add them to a bath of vinegar and hot water, allowing them to soak for about 10–15 minutes.
3. Remove the spray arms, and look at the arm holes to be sure they are free of debris.
4. Rinse the spray arms, then replace them in your dishwasher.
Your dishwasher should be able to give your dishes a more thorough cleaning now that the spray holes are unclogged.
INSPECT AND CLEAN THE FILTER
Inspect the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher, and remove any debris you may see. Food particles, small stickers (from plates or glasses) and other debris can accumulate there and get caught in the filter to prevent these items from going down the drain. This clogged filter can cause water not to drain properly.
If you need to, remove the filter and soak it in baking soda and vinegar, then scrub it clean with a soft bristle brush. Replace the filter in the bottom of the dishwasher.
KEEP IT CLEAN
In addition to deep cleaning your dishwasher once a month, try these tips to keep the appliance clean.
• Rinse dishes thoroughly before placing them into the dishwasher. Even if your dishwasher has a built-in garbage disposal, you should rinse your dishes.
• Only use dishwasher detergent to clean your dishes in the dishwasher. Never use bleach or regular dish detergent in the detergent bin.
• Run the hot water at your sink before running your dishwasher. This step will ensure the hottest water is used in your dishwasher.
• Place larger items in the bottom rack of the dishwasher and smaller items in the top, and never overfill the dishwasher. The way you place your dishes can affect the way the dishwasher cleans your dishes.
• Prevent rust stains inside the washtub. You can do this by washing cookie sheets, cake pans and other metal pans by hand instead of inside the dishwasher.
Your dishwasher cleans and sanitizes your dishes. Be sure to clean your dishwasher thoroughly to ensure it works properly so your dishes are safe to use. Call Arrow Appliance Repair if your dishwasher (or any other appliance in your home) is not working properly to have it repaired professionally.
CLEAN CLOTHES THROUGH DETERMINED CARE - MAINTAINING YOUR WASHER AND DRYER
Home ownership can be an extremely exciting and rewarding achievement, but it comes with a wide variety of challenges that you may not have anticipated. When you own a home, every component of it falls under your responsibility, so it's important that you take the time to research the best practices for maintaining the items that play the most crucial roles.
Among those items are your washer and dryer. Regardless of the size of your family, keeping up with the laundry is a vital chore, and a malfunctioning laundry setup can make it impossible. Staying ahead of the curve will help you avoid long, uncomfortable nights in a laundromat wishing for better upkeep.
Below, you'll find some tips for maintaining your washer and dryer. Following these suggestions can allow you to feel a real sense of accomplishment from a maintenance standpoint, and can help guarantee that you're never left scrambling for ad hoc clothing solutions.
THOROUGH INSPECTIONS
Perhaps the best method of noticing if something is out of whack with your washer or dryer is simply to look. Unlike other mechanical components of your home, your washer and dryer might display some early warning signs of trouble that you can count on as reliable indicators of a pending issue.
The flexible tubing that connects your dryer exhaust to your exterior vent can become bent or creased if your dryer has been jostled, and that damage might eventually cause overheating. The waterproof seals in your washer might crack as they dry out, or they might undergo chemical damage from some types of laundry detergent.
Even loose hoses may appear to be badly connected or otherwise out of order. Taking the time to look around your machines every time you use them is an excellent way to make sure you don't end up surprised by issues that may arise in the future.
DUCT CLEANING
As mentioned above, your dryer duct can be a source of trouble in a number of ways. Not only can the physical damage from bent ductwork cause problems, but blockages may also put your washer and dryer at risk. Even a well-functioning lint trap may not catch all of the debris that comes off of your clothes in the dryer cycle, so it's important to conduct a thorough sweep.
Regular emptying of your lint trap is essential, but it's only the first step in promoting the free flow of air through your dryer. Check the vent for obstructions on a regular basis. Since your dryer vent is likely to open to the outdoors, it can be an attractive spot for birds and rodents to nest. Those invading animals are simply at the top of a long list of clog causes that you need to be prepared to respond to.
PROPER LEVELING
The drum in your washing machine operates at very high speeds and contains heavy clothes and large quantities of water as it does so. Despite precautions with load sizes, this can be enough to throw the machine off balance and even risk tipping and other structural damage. Combatting these forces is an important part of your ownership responsibilities.
Be sure to constantly monitor your washing machine for signs that it may be off balance, such as loud banging or regular interruptions of your wash cycle. If you do notice a tilt or lean, simple wood blocks can be used to correct that misalignment.
Following these suggestions is a start, but the professionals at Arrow Appliance Repair can provide you with a wide variety of other services that will keep your home in its best possible condition. As a homeowner, it's important to trust the experts and rely on skilled service providers.
Your dishwasher has one purpose — and the name says it all. You expect to open the dishwasher's door and find perfectly cleaned plates, bowls, and silverware. So when there's gunk, debris, and random food particles stuck to your dinnerware, you know that something isn't right.
Why is your dishwasher failing at its one and only job? The answer to this question isn't always easy or straightforward. There are several different issues at play, some of which are minor and others that are serious enough to require a replacement. Knowing what can go wrong with your dishwasher is the first step in piecing together the problem.
If your dishwasher isn't getting your dishes, silverware, pots, and pans clean, take a look at what some of the possible causes are. Even though you might not be able to fix the problem yourself, you will know whether you need to call a professional appliance repair technician or not.
Water Inlet Valve Issues
When water can't get into your dishwasher, the appliance can't fill. What happens when a dishwasher doesn't fill properly? There isn't enough water to clean your dishes.
Keep in mind, a stuck or faulty inlet valve may still allow some water in. This may trick you into thinking that there isn't an inlet issue. But when the valve doesn't allow enough water in to fill the machine to where it's supposed to (this will vary depending on your appliance), your dishes may come out with food and debris still stuck to them.
Hard Water Woes
Your glasses aren't gunk-covered, but they also aren't completely clean. This issue may have very little to do with the appliance itself. The real culprit may be the water. That's right, you may have hard water. Hard water is mineral rich, meaning that it has a higher concentration of minerals than pure water.
While hard water isn't a dishwasher problem, it can cause problems in your dishwasher. If you notice a filmy buildup inside of your appliance and on your glassware, chances are that you have hard water.
If left unchecked and untreated, your dishwasher's ability to do its job can seriously suffer as a result. This may mean that you start seeing more than just hard water spots and streaks. You may end up finding food particles on plates or pots and pans, leaving them looking like they've never been through the wash cycle.
Cleaning your dishwasher regularly can remove mineral buildup and stop problems before they start. You can also try a dishwasher detergent that has a water softener or a rinse aid in it. For a bigger fix, a whole-home water softener can stop the mineral buildup in your dishwasher and anywhere else that the taps flow.
Drain Filter Flubs
Your dishwasher has a drain. And like any other drain in your home, filling it with large food particles and other debris can cause a major clog. Luckily, your dishwasher has a drain filter to stop this from happening. It catches the potential problem pieces, stopping a clog before it starts.
To keep your machine working and draining properly, you need to clean the filter. Forgetting to do so for long periods of time leads to a buildup that prevents drainage. When your dishwasher can't drain, the food particles wash back up and redeposit on your plates, glasses, and anything else in the appliance.
Spray Arm Immobility
The spray arm does what the name says — it sprays. More specifically, it sprays water and detergent on your dishes, cleaning them. Plastic spray arms can warp or crack. Metal arms can bend or break. Along with these issues, the holes that the water sprays from can become blocked. If this happens, water can't come out with enough force to clean your dishes.
Do you need professional help repairing your dishwasher's spray arm? Whether you have a problem with this or with something else, Arrow Appliance Repair can help your dishwasher do its job and get your dish- and glassware clean.
Cleaning your dryer vent is more than a matter of prolonging the life of your dryer because safety is also another important consideration. This guide discusses how your dryer vent functions as well as why you should clean the vent on a regular basis.
Your dishwasher is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing your dirty dishes. Even when you rinse your dishes before placing them into the dishwasher, the appliance will accumulate with smells and debris over time, making it work a little less efficiently. Cleaning your dishwasher is essential to ensuring it is in proper working order. See below for cleaning tips.
WIPE DOWN SEALS
Wipe down the seals of the dishwasher to ensure it is sealing properly. A dirty seal may cause water to leak out of the dishwasher, which could end up as a mess inside your kitchen. Wipe down the seal around the door and just inside the dishwasher using a microfiber cloth soaked with vinegar.
CLEAN THE WASHTUB
Wipe down the inside washtub to get rid of stains and smells at least once a month. Use a vinegar-soaked cloth to wipe down the washtub walls and the door, including the detergent bins. You can also pour about a cup of vinegar into a measuring cup, set the cup in the top rack of the dishwasher and run the dishwasher on a normal setting to clean the washtub as well.
REMOVE STAINS
To help remove any stains inside the washtub, use baking soda and vinegar.
1. Sprinkle the baking soda over the stain.
2. Pour a bit of white vinegar over the baking soda.
3. Allow the mixture to sit for about ten minutes, then wipe it clean.
If you follow these steps, the stain should come clean. But if it doesn’t, repeat the steps.
CLEAN THE SPRAY ARMS
The spray-arm holes can accumulate with calcium buildup or even food particles. Use a toothpick to pick out any debris if you can; otherwise, use the steps below to clean these out.
1. Remove the spray arms from the bottom of your dishwasher.
2. Add them to a bath of vinegar and hot water, allowing them to soak for about 10–15 minutes.
3. Remove the spray arms, and look at the arm holes to be sure they are free of debris.
4. Rinse the spray arms, then replace them in your dishwasher.
Your dishwasher should be able to give your dishes a more thorough cleaning now that the spray holes are unclogged.
INSPECT AND CLEAN THE FILTER
Inspect the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher, and remove any debris you may see. Food particles, small stickers (from plates or glasses) and other debris can accumulate there and get caught in the filter to prevent these items from going down the drain. This clogged filter can cause water not to drain properly.
If you need to, remove the filter and soak it in baking soda and vinegar, then scrub it clean with a soft bristle brush. Replace the filter in the bottom of the dishwasher.
KEEP IT CLEAN
In addition to deep cleaning your dishwasher once a month, try these tips to keep the appliance clean.
• Rinse dishes thoroughly before placing them into the dishwasher. Even if your dishwasher has a built-in garbage disposal, you should rinse your dishes.
• Only use dishwasher detergent to clean your dishes in the dishwasher. Never use bleach or regular dish detergent in the detergent bin.
• Run the hot water at your sink before running your dishwasher. This step will ensure the hottest water is used in your dishwasher.
• Place larger items in the bottom rack of the dishwasher and smaller items in the top, and never overfill the dishwasher. The way you place your dishes can affect the way the dishwasher cleans your dishes.
• Prevent rust stains inside the washtub. You can do this by washing cookie sheets, cake pans and other metal pans by hand instead of inside the dishwasher.
Your dishwasher cleans and sanitizes your dishes. Be sure to clean your dishwasher thoroughly to ensure it works properly so your dishes are safe to use. Call Arrow Appliance Repair if your dishwasher (or any other appliance in your home) is not working properly to have it repaired professionally.
CLEAN CLOTHES THROUGH DETERMINED CARE - MAINTAINING YOUR WASHER AND DRYER
Home ownership can be an extremely exciting and rewarding achievement, but it comes with a wide variety of challenges that you may not have anticipated. When you own a home, every component of it falls under your responsibility, so it's important that you take the time to research the best practices for maintaining the items that play the most crucial roles.
Among those items are your washer and dryer. Regardless of the size of your family, keeping up with the laundry is a vital chore, and a malfunctioning laundry setup can make it impossible. Staying ahead of the curve will help you avoid long, uncomfortable nights in a laundromat wishing for better upkeep.
Below, you'll find some tips for maintaining your washer and dryer. Following these suggestions can allow you to feel a real sense of accomplishment from a maintenance standpoint, and can help guarantee that you're never left scrambling for ad hoc clothing solutions.
THOROUGH INSPECTIONS
Perhaps the best method of noticing if something is out of whack with your washer or dryer is simply to look. Unlike other mechanical components of your home, your washer and dryer might display some early warning signs of trouble that you can count on as reliable indicators of a pending issue.
The flexible tubing that connects your dryer exhaust to your exterior vent can become bent or creased if your dryer has been jostled, and that damage might eventually cause overheating. The waterproof seals in your washer might crack as they dry out, or they might undergo chemical damage from some types of laundry detergent.
Even loose hoses may appear to be badly connected or otherwise out of order. Taking the time to look around your machines every time you use them is an excellent way to make sure you don't end up surprised by issues that may arise in the future.
DUCT CLEANING
As mentioned above, your dryer duct can be a source of trouble in a number of ways. Not only can the physical damage from bent ductwork cause problems, but blockages may also put your washer and dryer at risk. Even a well-functioning lint trap may not catch all of the debris that comes off of your clothes in the dryer cycle, so it's important to conduct a thorough sweep.
Regular emptying of your lint trap is essential, but it's only the first step in promoting the free flow of air through your dryer. Check the vent for obstructions on a regular basis. Since your dryer vent is likely to open to the outdoors, it can be an attractive spot for birds and rodents to nest. Those invading animals are simply at the top of a long list of clog causes that you need to be prepared to respond to.
PROPER LEVELING
The drum in your washing machine operates at very high speeds and contains heavy clothes and large quantities of water as it does so. Despite precautions with load sizes, this can be enough to throw the machine off balance and even risk tipping and other structural damage. Combatting these forces is an important part of your ownership responsibilities.
Be sure to constantly monitor your washing machine for signs that it may be off balance, such as loud banging or regular interruptions of your wash cycle. If you do notice a tilt or lean, simple wood blocks can be used to correct that misalignment.
Following these suggestions is a start, but the professionals at Arrow Appliance Repair can provide you with a wide variety of other services that will keep your home in its best possible condition. As a homeowner, it's important to trust the experts and rely on skilled service providers.
