Close
Getty Images.
Your dishwasher does some of the hardest work in your kitchen, allowing you to clean some serious messes without exerting a lot of soap or elbow grease. And if you have a more contemporary model, it’s actually using less water than washing dishes by hand would.
That being said, there are a few tricks that’ll help your dishwasher run better and more efficiently. Read on for maintenance advice, including the best time of day to run your dishwasher.
What’s the Best Time to Run Your Dishwasher?
You’ve probably heard that the best time to run your dishwasher is late at night, and that’s true from a financial perspective. Running your dishwasher (or any appliance that uses a lot of energy, for that matter) at non-peak hours costs less than doing so, say, right before or after dinner. “Local utilities recommend avoiding heavy usage of energy at certain times of day,” according to Whirlpool’s website.
I also got in touch with Kevin Sulaiman, senior brand manager of KitchenAid at Whirlpool Corporation, and he backed Whirlpool’s message. “It’s not necessary to run your dishwasher every night,” Sulaiman said. “To conserve energy, you can use a delay feature to run your dishwasher during off-peak hours. During the summer, you can run your dishwasher at night to reduce daytime heat buildup in the kitchen.”
Sulaiman adds that there’s no reason to run your dishwasher every single day; instead opt for whenever it’s full.
Other Ways to Show Your Dishwasher Love
If you aren’t able to run your dishwasher during off-peak hours, there are several other ways to keep your dishwasher in peak form. Here are a few of Whirlpool’s recommendations.
Start off hot.
Before you actually start your dishwasher, run your faucet’s hot water for a short time. “Having hot water enter the dishwasher right when the cycle begins can eliminate the need for long heating pauses, decreasing the time it takes to complete the cycle,” Whirlpool says. In addition to doing your dishes faster, hot water also cleans them more thoroughly.
Add white vinegar.
Whirlpool asserts that adding a rinse aid to your dishwasher will improve drying and reduce marks like spots and streaks. But if you’re sensitive to chemicals or just prefer to utilize something you already have, white vinegar should do the trick. You can also use it to clean other areas in your kitchen, such as refrigerator shelves, the floor, and countertops.
Load accordingly.
Stock smaller items, like glasses and bowls, on the top shelf, as well as plastic ware and containers. Save the bottom half for denser items, such as plates, cookware, and utensils (unless the silverware basket is located on the top, of course). And most importantly, don’t cram stuff in there and cause overcrowding.
Run a gentler cycle.
If your dishes aren’t particularly messy, opt for a low-energy, quick wash, or short cycle. These alternative cycles will use less water and less energy (through using less heat), resulting in a lower bill. Plus, your dishes will be ready in much less time.
More Cleaning Tips
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!
Other
Submit
