What You Can Do If Your Dishwasher Isn't Cleaning Effectively

If your dishwasher has stopped cleaning your dishes as it once did, it may be due to a number of different reasons. You could have a clog in your water line, or in your drain line, your sprayer arms may be clogged with hard water, or your dishwasher may not be releasing the soap necessary to clean your dishes, No matter the reason, if your dishwasher is not cleaning and sanitizing your dishes as it should, you may be able to repair it rather than replacing it, as replacement costs can be expensive. Read on for a few things you may be able to do to repair your dishwasher.

Check The Water Line

Inspect the water line by disconnecting it and checking to be sure water can run through it. If you have hard water, or water that contains a lot of calcium, the buildup can be extensive in your water line and it can block the flow of water to the dishwasher. If this occurs, the water needed to clean your dishwasher may not be getting to your appliance and your dishes are not getting as clean as they should be. Inspect the water line and replace it if necessary. If your water is too hard, you should consider installing a water softener for your home.

Check The Drain

If the drain for your dishwasher is clogged, it may leave dirty water in your dishwasher, which can cause your dishes to still appear dirty. If you still find that you have water in the base of your dishwasher, you should inspect the drain to see if it's clogged. To do this, you'll need to remove the sprayer arms and check the filter beneath for debris that may be blocking the water from draining. If the filter is not the issue, the drain line itself may have a clog. Use a drain cleaning product in the drain to see if this clears the clog, then test your appliance to see if it's working properly and that the water is draining properly.

Clean The Sprayer Arms

Inspect the sprayer arms for clogs in the openings. If the openings are clogged with calcium or hard water buildup, it can block the water from being able to spray your dishes in order to clean and rinse them properly. If your sprayer arms are clogged, you should soak them in a mixture of hot water, vinegar, and baking soda. Allow them to soak to clear out the clogs and use a toothpick to remove anything that remains in the sprayer arm openings.

If your dishwasher has stopped cleaning your dishes, there could be a number of different issues. Use the information above to help you or hire a professional appliance repair technician to help make the necessary repairs to your dishwasher for you. Reach out to an appliance repair service near you to learn more.

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