Normally, dishwashers are neglected until they suddenly… stop washing dishes. If you would like to prolong the life of your dishwasher, here are a few easy tips for keeping your dishwasher in great shape with just a little maintenance.

1. Start by keeping your hot water heater set to the temperature that is recommended by your dishwasher’s manufacturer. You can find this setting in the dishwasher’s manual. Don’t worry if you can’t find the manual, in this day and age.. you can find anything on the internet. Just go to a search engine like Google and type in the model number of your appliance, the manufacturers usually post their manuals online.

2. Cleanse your dishwasher monthly. Affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner is an easy product you can use to help reduce mineral build up and to ensure optimal performance. They are available at any Appliance Direct Location.

3. Check the dishwasher racks. If you see that the paint is wearing off, consider investing in a dishwasher repair kit, this will help to prevent scratches.

4. Vinegar is a must have household ingredient. Most everyone has some in their pantry. Every month, soak the spray arm with diluted vinegar to clean off scum build-up.

5. Don’t forget about checking the food trap. 

Show your dishwasher some love just once a month, and it'll give you clean dishes for longer.