Getting Your Dishes Clean

3 Myths About Dishwashers

Full Dishwashers Clean Best

Not true. Dishes need some separation from one another. Crowded dishwasher racks are likely to have dishes or bowls nested inside one another making it impossible for the detergent, and spray action to get inside to “scrub” the dirty dish or bowl. Fill your dishwasher, but make sure the dishes don’t snug up against each other.

Using Dishwashers Sparingly Extends their Lifespan.

Not really. Dishwashers have seals that need to be moist. If they stay dry for long periods of time they can dry and crack. When the seal doesn’t work, you may experience water leaks. The repair is expensive. In fact, if you have a winter or summer home with a dishwasher, you should pour a cup of vinegar in the dishwasher when you are going to be gone for the season in order to keep the seals moist.

Dishwashers run just fine with cold water.

In most parts of the country unheated tap water is about 60 degrees (varies some with climates). At this temperature, the water isn’t even capable of breaking down the detergent. But your water heater will boost the temperature. A typical dishwasher might look for a minumum temperature of the incoming hot water to be about 120 degrees. Then the dishwasher will turn on its internal heater to boost the water temperature even more. A sani-cycle might boost the temperature to 160 degrees or higher. NSF requires a a combination of a certain minimum temperature for a specified period of time to meet the minimum requirements to be certified as a sanitizing cycle.

If you think you might need a new dishwasher call the professionals at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center. Always the best selection and lowest prices on major appliances and plumbing fixtures.

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